If you’ve ever stood in the canned goods aisle staring at tomato sauce and tomato paste, wondering which one to grab—you’re not alone. These two ingredients might look similar and come from the same fruit (yes, tomato is a fruit!), but they play very different roles in the kitchen.
Whether you’re making spaghetti, chili, or pizza sauce, knowing the difference between tomato sauce and tomato paste can make or break your dish.
Let’s break down how they differ in texture, flavor, cooking use, and more.
Table of Contents
What Is Tomato Sauce?
Tomato sauce is a cooked, seasoned tomato product that has a pourable consistency and a mild flavor. It’s typically made from puréed tomatoes that have been simmered with herbs, garlic, onions, and sometimes other spices.
It can be used as:
- A base for pasta or pizza sauces
- A component in stews, casseroles, or chili
- A mild tomato flavor enhancer for soups and grains
Tomato sauce can be store-bought in cans or jars—or made from scratch with fresh or canned tomatoes. It usually includes more water and seasoning than tomato paste.
What Is Tomato Paste?
Tomato paste is a thick, concentrated product made by cooking down tomatoes for a long time, removing most of the water content. The result is a rich, intensely flavored tomato concentrate.
It’s often used to:
- Add deep, rich tomato flavor to sauces
- Thicken recipes without adding extra liquid
- Enhance the umami in savory dishes
Tomato paste is typically added in small amounts—usually a tablespoon or two—and cooked with aromatics (like garlic or onion) at the beginning of a recipe.
Key Differences Between Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste
Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Tomato Sauce | Tomato Paste |
| Texture | Thin, smooth, pourable | Very thick, dense, spoonable |
| Flavor | Milder, lighter, sometimes herbed | Intense, rich, deep tomato flavor |
| Water Content | High | Low (very concentrated) |
| Cooking Use | Ready to use as-is | Usually needs cooking, added early in recipes |
| Common Recipes | Pasta sauces, soups, braises | Stews, sauces, chili, curry bases |
| Packaging | Canned or jarred | Usually sold in small cans or tubes |
Can You Substitute Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste?
Yes, but it requires adjusting the consistency and flavor.
To Use Tomato Paste Instead of Tomato Sauce:
- Mix 1 part tomato paste with 1–1½ parts water
- Add herbs, garlic, onion, or spices if desired
- Example: 2 tablespoons tomato paste + 3 tablespoons water = ~¼ cup sauce
This gives you a quick, flavorful sauce that mimics the thinner texture of tomato sauce.
To Use Tomato Sauce Instead of Tomato Paste:
- Simmer the sauce to reduce and thicken it
- You may need more volume to match the flavor concentration
- Use 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce for every 1 tablespoon of paste (approx.)
Just keep in mind: the substitution won’t be perfect in every recipe. Tomato paste gives a bold punch, while sauce adds mild depth.
Which One Should You Use?
It depends on what you’re cooking:
- Use tomato paste when you want to build flavor—especially in dishes like chili, stew, Bolognese, or curry
- Use tomato sauce when you want a base ingredient—like for pasta sauces, casseroles, or baked dishes
Examples:
- Spaghetti Sauce: Start with paste, then thin with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes
- Soup: Use tomato sauce for a lighter flavor
- Chili: Tomato paste adds richness without making it watery
- Pizza: Mix paste with a little water and herbs for a thick sauce
How They’re Made
Understanding how each is produced helps explain their differences:
Tomato Sauce
- Tomatoes are peeled, puréed, and simmered
- Often includes garlic, onions, herbs, salt
- Cooked for a shorter time
Tomato Paste
- Tomatoes are peeled and seeded
- Simmered for hours to reduce water
- Then strained and cooked again to thicken
The double-cooking process is what gives tomato paste its bold flavor and dense texture.
Storage Tips
- Tomato sauce: Refrigerate after opening, use within 5–7 days
- Tomato paste: Refrigerate unused paste in an airtight container or freeze in tablespoon-sized portions (ice cube trays work great!)
Pro tip: Try tomato paste in a tube for easier storage and longer shelf life.
FAQs About Tomato Sauce vs Tomato Paste
Can I use tomato sauce instead of paste in chili?
Yes, but the flavor will be milder. You may need to cook it longer to reduce the liquid.
Why do recipes call for tomato paste and sauce together?
To layer flavors. Paste gives richness, and sauce adds moisture and body.
Is tomato purée the same as sauce or paste?
Tomato purée falls between the two. It’s thicker than sauce but thinner than paste.
What’s better for pizza sauce—paste or sauce?
Tomato paste makes a thicker, more concentrated pizza sauce when mixed with spices and a bit of water.
Are they interchangeable in all recipes?
Not exactly. You can swap them in many dishes with adjustments, but each has a distinct role and texture.
Both tomato sauce and tomato paste are pantry staples with unique purposes. Sauce gives you a ready-made base, while paste is a powerful flavor booster. Knowing when and how to use each can help you elevate everyday cooking and perfect your favorite recipes.
With these tips and swaps, you’ll never second-guess which tomato product to use again.
