How much tomato paste to make 8 ounces of tomato sauce?
Tomato sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes like pasta, pizza, soups, stews, and more. While you can make tomato sauce from fresh or canned tomatoes, tomato paste is a convenient shortcut for whipping up tomato sauce quickly. But how much tomato paste do you need to make 8 ounces of tomato sauce? Let’s take a look at the tomato paste to tomato sauce ratio and how to easily make tomato sauce from tomato paste.
Tomato Paste vs Tomato Sauce
Before determining how much tomato paste you need, it’s helpful to understand the differences between tomato paste and tomato sauce:
- Tomato paste is made from cooked, strained tomatoes that have been boiled down to remove almost all the water content. The result is a thick, concentrated tomato paste.
- Tomato sauce is made from tomato paste, tomato puree, or crushed tomatoes mixed with seasonings like salt, sugar, onions, garlic, and herbs. Tomato sauce has more liquid than tomato paste.
So tomato paste contains a more condensed, tomato flavor, while tomato sauce is more diluted with added water and ingredients.
Tomato Paste to Tomato Sauce Ratio
The typical ratio for making tomato sauce from tomato paste is:
- 1 part tomato paste
- 3 parts water
So for every 1 cup of tomato paste, you would add 3 cups of water to make tomato sauce. The water thins out the concentrated tomato paste into a nice tomato sauce consistency.
For a thicker, richer sauce, you can use less water. For a thinner sauce, you can add more water. But the 1:3 tomato paste to water ratio is a good starting point.
How Much Tomato Paste for 8 oz Tomato Sauce?
To make 8 fluid ounces of tomato sauce using the 1:3 ratio, here is what you will need:
| Tomato Paste | Water |
|---|---|
| 2 ounces | 6 ounces |
So you will need:
- 2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) tomato paste
- 6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) water
Mix the 2 ounces tomato paste with the 6 ounces water until well combined. This will yield about 8 ounces of tomato sauce.
Tips for Making Tomato Sauce from Tomato Paste
Here are some tips for making great tomato sauce from tomato paste:
- Use canned or tetrapak tomato paste for convenience and consistent quality.
- Add the water slowly and mix as you go to fully incorporate.
- For a smooth sauce, blend with an immersion blender after mixing.
- For richer flavor, sauté some garlic and onions before adding tomato paste.
- You can use vegetable broth or juice instead of water for more complexity.
- Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme complement tomato sauce well.
- A pinch of sugar can help balance acidity.
- Let simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Tomato Sauce Recipes Using Tomato Paste
Making plain tomato sauce from tomato paste is easy and useful. But you can also adapt it into many different recipes. Here are a few tomato sauce recipes starting with tomato paste as the base:
Marinara Sauce
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tomato paste | 2 ounces |
| Water | 6 ounces |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Onion, diced | 1/4 cup |
| Dried oregano | 1 teaspoon |
| Fresh basil, chopped | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt & pepper | To taste |
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and cook stirring for 2 minutes.
- Pour in water while stirring. Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat and adjust seasonings as needed.
Creamy Tomato Sauce
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tomato paste | 2 ounces |
| Water | 3 ounces |
| Heavy cream | 3 ounces |
| Butter | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic, minced | 1 clove |
| Dried basil | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt & pepper | To taste |
Instructions:
- Melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic 1 minute.
- Whisk in tomato paste until combined. Then slowly pour in water while stirring.
- Add heavy cream and basil. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- If too thick, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Italian Tomato Sauce
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tomato paste | 2 ounces |
| Water | 4 ounces |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Onion, diced | 1/4 cup |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon |
| Red wine vinegar | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt & pepper | To taste |
Instructions:
- Heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent, 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes more.
- Gradually whisk in water. Stir in Italian seasoning.
- Add vinegar and simmer for 15-20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Season with salt and pepper.
When to Use Tomato Paste vs Canned Tomatoes
Both tomato paste and canned crushed or diced tomatoes can be turned into tomato sauce. Here are some guidelines for when to use each:
- Use tomato paste when: you want a quick tomato sauce, need just a small amount, or want to control seasoning.
- Use canned tomatoes when: you need a large batch of sauce with fresh tomato flavor, or have time to simmer a sauce for 45+ minutes.
Tomato paste is heavily concentrated so it makes a small amount of sauce. Canned tomatoes lend fresher flavor for big batches. Choose based on your needs and preferences.
Storing Leftover Tomato Paste and Sauce
Here are some tips for storing leftover tomato paste and tomato sauce:
Tomato Paste Storage
- Transfer to an airtight container and smooth out the surface to remove air pockets.
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Can be frozen for 2-3 months. Let thaw overnight before using.
Tomato Sauce Storage
- Let cool completely then transfer to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
Storing tomato paste and sauce properly prevents molding and preserves fresh flavor.
Conclusion
Making tomato sauce from tomato paste is an easy kitchen hack. With a ratio of 1 part tomato paste to 3 parts water, you can quickly whip up tomato sauce with concentrated flavor.
To make 8 ounces of tomato sauce, use:
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) tomato paste
- 6 ounces (3/4 cup) water
Simmer the tomato paste and water together for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors develop. Add herbs, cream, or other ingredients to make customized sauces.
Tomato paste is a handy pantry staple that can be turned into tomato sauce in a pinch. With the right tomato paste to water ratio, you can make the perfect amount of tomato sauce for any recipe.