Tomato Puree used in  Indian Sabzis

Pureed tomatoes are a great way to give the taste of tomatoes without going through the hassle of chopping them. It also results in a nice, grain-less gravy that is needed for a lot of Punjabi subzis. Paneer Makhani is one such subzi that requires a really smooth gravy for the paneer to absorb all the flavor for which tomato puree is the best. 

Paneer Makhani Recipe

It also gives a tongue tickling taste when cooked with mushrooms to make a Mushroom Curry.

 Mushroom Curry ( Cooking Under 10 Minutes)

Aloo Mutter looks like it is just made with potatoes and green peas, but its secret ingredient is tomato puree. It gives a depth of flavor, thickness to the curry without overpowering the other ingredients. Sometimes we don’t know what vegetables we want to use in a subzi.

Aloo Mutter

In such cases, you can make the gravy beforehand, something like a Basic Kadai Gravy, then use it later on with different vegetable combinations.

 Basic Kadai Gravy, Popular Restaurant Style Kadai Gravy Recipe

Punjabi recipes using tomato puree 

kadai paneer is a quick dish of paneer cubes combined with a spicy kadhai gravy! The aroma of spices cooking in simmering tomatoes is an unmistakeable signature of this kadai paneer recipe !

Kadai Paneer

Indian soups using tomato puree 

There are many variations to the cream of tomato soup and this is our Indian style cream of tomato soup version of it. The recipe is easy to cook, even a beginner can nail this recipe.  Cream of tomato soup is a tomato based thick soup which is probably the first choice as an appetizer to be had before the meal, when we go outdoors.

Cream Of Tomato Soup, Indian Style

This is a popular winter recipe in India. I love having cream of tomato soup on rainy days and it is my comfort food in soups.  

Tomato Puree Recipes for Rice Dishes

Without actually adding any pieces of tomatoes in a rice dish, you can add tomato puree. This is important as the puree coats every rice grain evenly and gives it a tomato-y flavor.  If you want a mild tomato flavor, Paneer Pulao and Baby Corn and Capsicum Rice will be perfect for you without making it too overbearing.

Paneer Pulao

But if you are looking for something that has a significant taste of tomato, then Baked Mexican Rice is the best option!

Shahi Pulao

Shahi Pulao is served alongside a Nawabi curry. This curry is a blend of tomato puree, cardamom, cinnamon, onions and other spices which gives it a rich and luscious mouthfeel. 

Nawabi Curry

Tomato Puree used in International Dishes

The base flavor of many Italian dishes is tomatoes. One of the first pasta dishes made by the Italian was a Basil Tomato Pasta due to the availability of fresh tomatoes in Italy, and we are thankful to them. It is so rich and even creamy due to the puree, even though it doesn’t actually have any cream.

Basil and Tomato Pasta

This sauce, or a similar Tomato Cream Sauce can be made beforehand and stored as well.

The base of every pizza also requires tomato puree to get a smooth Pizza Sauce that doesn’t have chunks in them.

 Pizza Sauce ( Diabetic Recipe)

This sauce can be used in pizzas like Bean and Capsicum Pizza or any other of your choice. You know what is an impressive dish? Pasta that is made with tomatoes in the dough itself! Once you make the Tomato Pasta Dough, you will never go back to the store bough pasta.

Snacks and Soups Recipes made with Tomato Puree

Chatakedar Paneer is an apt example of how a tomato puree can be used to make a marinade to coat vegetables or proteins to enhance their flavor.

Utilizing pizza sauce in a new, unique way to make tiny Bread Pizzas with it, for your guests or just as an evening snack for family, will definitely impress them.

Bread Pizza

Tomato puree can also be used in fancy dinner party appetizers like Spinach Tarts to cut through the saltiness of the spinach.

Pureed tomatoes provide a tangy, fun taste to Bean and Pasta Soup and make it more consistent in thickness. In the same way it is used in other pasta soups like Corn and Fusilli soup.

Hope you enjoyed the collection of recipes using tomato puree | Indian recipes using tomato puree | and give us your feedback if you make any of these!