The 7 Best Substitutes for Condensed Tomato Soup

Have you ever been in the middle of making a recipe and realized that you’re missing an essential ingredient?

If so, then you know how frustrating it can be.

One such ingredient is condensed tomato soup.

This classic pantry staple adds flavor to many dishes and is often used as a base for casseroles or sauces.

But what if you don’t have any on hand?

Don’t worry – there are plenty of substitutes that will work just as well!

From canned tomatoes to vegetable stock, here are seven of the best alternatives to condensed tomato soup.

What is Condensed Tomato Soup?

Condensed tomato soup is a thick, concentrated version of regular tomato soup.

It’s made by simmering tomatoes with water and other ingredients until the mixture reduces in volume and becomes more concentrated.

The resulting product is thicker than regular tomato soup, but still has a smooth texture.

The most common uses for condensed tomato soup are in casseroles, soups, stews, sauces, and dips.

Because it’s so concentrated it can be used to add flavor without adding too much liquid to dishes.

It’s also an inexpensive way to add a rich tomato flavor to recipes without having to use fresh or canned tomatoes.

Condensed tomato soup is widely available at most grocery stores in both cans and boxes; it usually comes plain or flavored with herbs like basil or oregano.

The 7 Best Substitutes for Condensed Tomato Soup

Condensed tomato soup is a popular pantry staple, but it can be difficult to find.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives that you can use in place of condensed tomato soup.

If you’re looking for good substitutes for condensed tomato soup, here are seven great options:

1. Canned Tomato Sauce or Puree

Canned tomato sauce or puree is a great substitute for condensed tomato soup.

It has a similar texture and consistency, but with a more intense flavor due to the added spices and herbs that are often used in canned sauces.

This can be beneficial if you’re looking for an additional layer of flavor in your dish.

The cost of canned tomato sauce or puree varies depending on the brand; however, it’s generally quite affordable compared to other ingredients such as fresh tomatoes or vegetables.

Additionally, it’s typically easy to find at most grocery stores so it won’t be too difficult to acquire if needed for a recipe.

2. Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce has a bright, acidic flavor that can add complexity and depth to recipes.

The texture of marinara sauce is smooth and it has a thick consistency, making it ideal for use in soups, casseroles, and other dishes where you want the tomato flavor to shine through.

Nutritionally speaking, marinara sauce contains fewer calories than condensed tomato soup but offers more vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and potassium.

Additionally, most varieties are low in fat and cholesterol-free.

Cost-wise, marinara sauce is usually cheaper than condensed tomato soup; however this will vary depending on the brand you buy or whether you make your own from scratch using fresh tomatoes.

All in all though, substituting marinara sauce for condensed tomato soup can be an economical way to add flavor while still keeping costs down.

3. Tomato Paste

Tomato paste is a thick, concentrated tomato puree that has been cooked down and reduced to a paste-like consistency.

It’s made from fresh tomatoes that have been peeled, seeded, and cooked for several hours until the water content has evaporated.

The taste of tomato paste is slightly more intense than condensed tomato soup since it is much more concentrated.

The texture is also thicker and denser than canned soup; however, it can easily be thinned out by adding broth or water to the recipe.

Nutritionally speaking, tomato paste contains higher amounts of vitamins A and C than condensed soups do due to its concentration levels.

It also contains lycopene which is an antioxidant known to reduce inflammation in the body.

In terms of cost, tomato paste tends to be cheaper than canned soups but may require additional ingredients (such as broth) if you are looking for the same level of thickness as canned soups provide.

4. Mashed Red Potatoes

Mashed red potatoes offer a similar texture, consistency, and flavor to the soup without having to buy any canned goods.

In terms of nutritional content, mashed red potatoes provide more fiber and vitamins than condensed tomato soup does.

Additionally, they contain fewer calories and sodium than the soup does.

Mashed red potatoes can be easily prepared at home with minimal effort or cost.

All you need is some potatoes (red-skinned are best), butter, milk/cream, salt and pepper (optional).

Simply boil the potatoes until tender then mash them up with butter and milk/cream to create a creamy consistency that resembles condensed tomato soup.

5. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet and creamy flavor that is similar to the taste of tomato soup.

In terms of texture, mashed sweet potatoes are much smoother than condensed tomato soup, but they can still provide enough body to create a rich and flavorful dish.

Nutritionally, mashed sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C which makes them healthier than canned condensed soups.

They also contain fewer calories and sodium than traditional condensed soups which helps to reduce the overall fat content of any recipe they’re used in.

In terms of cost, mashed sweet potatoes are generally cheaper than canned condensed soups as well as being more nutritious.

Plus, you don’t need many ingredients to make them – just some butter or cream cheese (optional), salt, pepper, and garlic powder if desired – so it’s an affordable option all around!

6. Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is a popular substitute for condensed tomato soup in many recipes.

It has a sweet and creamy flavor that adds depth to dishes like casseroles, soups, and pasta sauces.

The texture of creamed corn is smooth and thick, making it ideal for creating rich and hearty dishes.

Nutritionally speaking, creamed corn is high in fiber and contains some vitamins A, C, B6, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, phosphorus and magnesium.

It’s also low in fat and calories compared to other ingredients like butter or cream cheese.

This makes it an excellent substitution for those looking to reduce the fat content of their meals without sacrificing taste or texture.

In terms of cost-effectiveness however; canned creamed corn can be more expensive than condensed tomato soup due to the added processing involved in producing it.

For this reason it may not always be the best choice if you’re trying to save money on your grocery bill.

7. Yogurt or Sour Cream

Yogurt is lower in fat and calories than sour cream, but it also has less flavor.

Sour cream is higher in fat and calories, but has a more intense flavor that would help to enhance the taste of the dish.

In terms of texture, yogurt will create a lighter consistency while sour cream will make the dish thicker.

Depending on what type of recipe you are making, one may work better than the other in terms of texture.

Nutritionally speaking, both options are relatively healthy substitutes for condensed tomato soup; however, if you’re looking for something low-fat and low-calorie then yogurt is your best bet.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with more flavor then sour cream might be your preferred option.

Finally, when considering cost it’s important to factor in how much you’ll need to buy relative to how much of the original ingredient was called for in the recipe.

Yogurt tends to be slightly cheaper than sour cream so this could play into your decision as well.