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The main downside is that the texture will be different, as, without any remnant of crushed tomato, you’ll lose that classic texture. So the delicate balance of sweet but almost savory flavor is maintained when picking tomato paste as a substitute. Like crushed tomatoes, tomato paste is often made with plum tomatoes. The sauce is then cooked again to reduce any remaining moisture, and voila, you have tomato paste. Tomato paste is made similarly to crushed tomatoes, but all remnants of tomatoes are removed. Tomato paste makes an excellent substitute in terms of outright flavor, though you might want to add some water if you want a sauce and not an outright paste. That said, if you reach for plum tomatoes first, you’ll always notice the difference. This minor difference can be confusing as diced tomatoes are often made from plum varieties, too. You can also make crushed tomatoes from canned diced tomatoes, but unlike canned plum tomatoes, they don’t always have the same rich flavors. Now you can cook them and enjoy your own homemade crushed tomatoes that are almost as good as the fresh homemade options you’d make from beginning to end. Simply empty the plum tomatoes into a mixing bowl to crush them with a potato masher and remove the skins. If you have store-bought plum tomatoes in a can, you already have one of the best alternatives to crushed tomatoes available to you. You can also use other types, such as Campari tomatoes and various heirlooms. The best tomatoes for homemade crushed tomatoes will be plum varieties like Roma tomatoes. That said, it isn’t always a good option. Yes, using fresh tomatoes would be the best option because you could cook your crushed tomatoes yourself. Read on to find out our picks for crushed tomato alternatives and substitutions. This means that crushed tomatoes share something in common with a lot of other grocery store products, such as canned diced tomatoes, tomato puree and paste, and more. These tomatoes offer rich and delicious flavors that are perfect for pasta sauces like marinara or tomato sauce. Like most canned tomatoes, Crushed tomatoes are made with Plum Tomatoes such as Roma or San Marzano varieties.
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