When life gives you diced tomatoes, the dinner possibilities are endless! From the comforting aroma of a simmering stew to the unexpected twist of a salsa-infused pasta, these vibrant little gems are your ticket to a world of culinary delight. So grab that can opener (or fresh if you’re feeling fancy) and let’s see where these juicy red beauties take us tonight—because honestly, who knew tomatoes could be this exciting?
Steps
- Skillet Lasagna: Cook bowtie pasta, then brown ground pork sausage and beef in a skillet. Add diced tomatoes and a blend of three cheeses, stirring until everything is heated through and well combined.
- Pasta Bolognese: Brown ground beef in olive oil with chopped onions, garlic, and herbs. Stir in crushed tomatoes and let it simmer until the sauce thickens and flavors meld together.
- One-Dish Chicken Bake: Mix canned tomatoes with minced garlic, chopped onion, Italian seasoning, and oregano. Place chicken breasts on top, cover with shredded cheese, and bake for 35 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Italian Sausage Stew: Combine diced tomatoes, canned white beans, chopped onion, minced garlic, and Italian sausage in a pot. Cook until the sausage is browned and everything is heated through.
- Creamy Tomato Gnocchi: Simmer canned tomatoes with heavy cream to create a rich sauce. Add gnocchi or any tubular pasta and cook until tender, then serve immediately.
- American Goulash: Cook elbow macaroni, then brown ground beef in a pan. Add diced tomatoes and the cooked pasta, stirring until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Minestrone Soup: Combine canned kidney beans, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and noodles in a pot. Cook until the noodles are tender and the flavors are well blended.
- Four-Ingredient Baked Fish: Bake cod or another white fish in a mixture of canned tomatoes, lemon juice, and fresh basil until the fish is tender and infused with flavor.
- Shakshuka: Sauté diced tomatoes, red peppers, onions, garlic, and spices in a pan. Crack eggs into the mixture and bake until the eggs are just set.
- Chicken, Shrimp, and Sausage Jambalaya: Cook your choice of protein with a mix of spices. Add diced tomatoes and rice, simmering until the rice is cooked through and the flavors blend.
- Cabbage and Beef Soup: Add all ingredients, including cabbage and your choice of beef, to a large pot. Let it simmer until the beef is tender and the soup is flavorful.
- Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza: If short on ingredients, season canned tomatoes with sugar, salt, pepper, and any Italian spices. Use this sauce with your pizza crust and desired toppings.
- One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta: Combine spaghetti, garlic, onion, canned tomatoes, and broth in a large pot. Cook until the noodles are tender and the flavors are combined.
- Chicken Cacciatore: Sauté chicken breasts with onion and spices, then add canned tomatoes and a splash of red wine. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is rich.
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole: Mix bell peppers, rice, diced tomatoes, and ground beef in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the rice is tender and the flavors are well combined. Top with shredded cheese before serving.
Ingredients
- Bowtie pasta
- Ground pork sausage
- Ground beef
- Diced tomatoes
- Three-cheese mixture
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Garlic
- Herbs
- Crushed tomatoes
- Chicken breasts
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Shredded cheese
- Canned white beans
- Italian sausage
- Heavy cream
- Potato gnocchi
- Elbow macaroni
- Kidney beans
- Vegetable broth
- Noodles
- Cod (or any white, flaky fish)
- Lemon juice
- Fresh basil
- Eggs
- Red peppers
- Spices
- Chorizo
- Frozen shrimp
- Ribeye
- Cabbage
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Dried Italian seasonings
- Spaghetti
- Broth
- Chicken breasts (for Chicken Cacciatore)
- Red wine
- Bell peppers
- Rice
- Ground beef (for Stuffed Pepper Casserole)
- Shredded cheese (for Stuffed Pepper Casserole)
FAQ
- What can I substitute for Italian sausage in the Italian Sausage Stew?
- If you don’t have Italian sausage on hand, you can use any type of ground meat as a substitute in the Italian Sausage Stew. Ground beef, turkey, or even chicken can work well.
- Can I use a different type of pasta for the Creamy Tomato Gnocchi?
- Yes, if you don’t have potato gnocchi available, you can use any tubular pasta as an alternative in the Creamy Tomato Gnocchi recipe. It will still be delicious and comforting.
- Is it possible to make the One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta with gluten-free noodles?
- Absolutely! You can substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free noodles in the One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.
- Can I make the Chicken, Shrimp, and Sausage Jambalaya with other proteins?
- Certainly! The Chicken, Shrimp, and Sausage Jambalaya recipe is versatile and can be made with whatever protein you have on hand. Options include chorizo, frozen shrimp, chicken, or ground beef.
- What are some tips for making the Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza sauce if I’m missing ingredients?
- If you don’t have all the ingredients for the sauce, you can use canned tomatoes and season them with a little sugar, salt, pepper, and any dried Italian herbs you have in your pantry.
Tips
- When making skillet lasagna, opt for bowtie pasta and a blend of ground pork sausage and beef to create a flavorful stovetop version that avoids the oven.
- For a quick Bolognese sauce, sauté ground beef with onions, garlic, and herbs, then add crushed tomatoes to simmer, simplifying the process without compromising on taste.
- In dishes like creamy tomato gnocchi, if potato gnocchi isn’t available, substitute with any tubular pasta to achieve a similar texture and delicious outcome.
- When preparing stuffed pepper casserole, ensure the rice is cooked to tenderness by simmering all ingredients together, excluding the cheese, before serving.
Equipment
- Skillet – For making Skillet Lasagna.
- Dutch Oven – Useful for recipes like the one-pot tomato basil pasta and cabbage and beef soup.
- Large Sauce Pot – Needed for recipes like the one-pot tomato basil pasta.
- Casserole Dish – For the Stuffed Pepper Casserole and One-Dish Chicken Bake.
- Potato Gnocchi Maker – If opting to make homemade gnocchi for the Creamy Tomato Gnocchi.
- Baking Dish – For recipes like the Chicken Cacciatore and baked fish.
