Tomato Paste: The Tiny Can That Won’t Quit

…and 10 surprisingly fun ways to use what’s left

You ever open a can of tomato paste, use a single spoonful, and then stare at the rest like, “Now what?” Same.

For the longest time, I thought tomato paste was just a one-time-use kind of thing — a splash in chili, a stir into marinara, and the rest? Forgotten. Lost in the fridge behind that mystery jar of pickles.

But once I realized just how versatile this stuff really is? Game-changer. That tiny blob of concentrated tomato magic? Turns out, it can pull way more weight than it gets credit for.

So here we are — a little love letter to leftover tomato paste and all the weirdly wonderful things you can do with it.

First Things First: Store It Like a Pro (Or at Least Not Like Me)

If you’re anything like me, you’ve scraped tomato paste off the lid of a crusty can and hoped for the best. Let’s fix that.

• Short-term fix: Wrap the paste in plastic wrap like a little tomato burrito, pop it in an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

• Long-term magic: Scoop tablespoons into an ice cube tray, freeze ‘em, then toss the cubes into a zip-top freezer bag. Now you’ve got perfectly portioned tomato power ready when you need it — no can opener required.

Now for the Good Stuff — 10 Clever Ways to Use Leftover Tomato Paste

1. Soup Starter Vibes

Making soup? Start it with a spoonful of tomato paste. Sauté it with onions and garlic — let it darken just a bit. That caramelized tomato flavor gives your soup a cozy, slow-cooked feel even if you’re working with whatever’s left in the fridge and 30 minutes before homework chaos.

Great for:

• Lentil soup

• Chicken noodle (trust me)

• Any “throw-it-all-in” veggie soup

2. Upgrade Your Pasta Night

No full sauce jar? No problem. Sauté your leftover paste with olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs. Add a splash of pasta water or cream, and boom — you’ve got a silky, savory, lick-the-bowl kind of sauce.

Want to level it up? Add:

• Crumbled sausage

• A handful of olives

• A glug of red wine (for the sauce or you)

3. DIY Pizza Sauce That Actually Tastes Like Pizza

Tomato paste + oregano + garlic powder + olive oil + a tiny pinch of sugar = pizza sauce that doesn’t taste like spaghetti leftovers. Smooth it on your dough (or naan bread or English muffin or whatever you’re working with), add toppings, and bake.

Pro move: Make extra and freeze the sauce in small containers so future-you can thank current-you.

4. Sneak It into Chili

Chili purists, look away for a second. The rest of us? Toss in a tablespoon of tomato paste when browning your onions or ground meat. It deepens the flavor in a way that canned tomatoes alone just can’t.

Try it in:

• Classic beef chili

• Veggie bean chili

• Even white chicken chili — just a touch, for balance

5. Slather It Into a Marinade

Mix tomato paste with olive oil, garlic, vinegar, paprika, cumin — whatever your spice mood is that day — and use it as a marinade for chicken, tofu, or roasted veggies. It’s thick, tangy, and gives off “I cooked this for hours” energy even if it only took 20 minutes.

Side bonus: It smells amazing while it cooks.

Need a Little Dip? We’ve Got Paste for That

6. Tomato Hummus, Anyone?

Mash a spoonful of paste into your store-bought (or homemade!) hummus and give it a little swirl of smoked paprika and lemon. Suddenly you’re not just eating hummus. You’re eating fancy hummus.

Also works in:

• White bean dip

• Greek yogurt + garlic spread

• That half-tub of cream cheese you forgot you had

7. Make a Fast BBQ or Ketchup-ish Sauce

Tomato paste is the unsung hero of homemade condiments. Mix it with:

• Brown sugar

• Vinegar

• Spices (cayenne, mustard, garlic powder)

You’ve got a quick BBQ sauce that slaps. Or dial it sweeter and smoother for a DIY ketchup that’s way less sugary than the store stuff.

8. Give Casseroles a Little Backbone

You know that moment in a casserole when everything’s a little too… beige? Tomato paste brings the flavor and the color. Stir it in with the sauce, mix it into your cheesy layer, or blend it with broth to pour over the top.

Works wonders in:

• Shepherd’s pie

• Pasta bakes

• Veggie gratins

9. Bake With It. No, Really.

Hear me out.

Add a teeny spoonful of tomato paste to savory muffins or scones with cheese and herbs. It gives them a subtle depth, almost like sun-dried tomato, without the chewy bits. It’s not sweet, just… rounder in flavor.

Think:

• Cheddar chive muffins

• Parmesan rosemary biscuits

• Even garlic knots (mix into the dough or butter!)

10. Make Your Scrambled Eggs Fancy

I was skeptical too. But trust me — whisking in a tiny bit of tomato paste with your eggs before scrambling? Life-changing. It gives your eggs a savory, almost cheesy flavor that’s amazing on toast.

Top with:

• Feta

• Chives

• A little chili oil, if you’re feeling wild

TL;DR: Tomato Paste Is the Sidekick Your Kitchen Needs

The next time you open a can for “just one tablespoon,” don’t sigh and shove it in the back of the fridge. Think of it like this tiny, flavor-packed superhero — just waiting for its next mission.

Freeze it. Stir it. Bake with it. Sneak it into places it doesn’t technically belong.

Tomato paste doesn’t care about the rules. And now? Neither do you.

Got your own weirdly genius use for tomato paste?
I wanna hear it. Leave a comment, send a message, or tag me in your sauce-spattered kitchen photos. Let’s keep making food fun — and just a little bit scrappy.