Out of passata?

Passata substitutes

Passata is Italian tomato puree made from strained, seedless tomatoes, used as a base for sauces and soups.

Use this

Tomato Puree

Use the same amount as the passata you are replacing

Close matchBest for pasta sauces

The best substitutes for passata are tomato puree, crushed tomatoes, or tomato sauce depending on the recipe.

At a glance

Every passata substitute on one screen. Tap a name for detail.

Passata substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of passata, use	Result
1	Tomato Puree	Same amount	Close match
2	Crushed Tomatoes	Same amount	Different texture
3	Tomato Sauce	Same amount	Different taste
4	Fresh Tomatoes (Blended)	Same amount	Close match
5	Canned Tomatoes (Blended)	Same amount	Close match
6	Tomato Paste + Water	¼ cup tomato paste + ¾ cup water per 1 cup passata	Different taste

Every passata substitute

Ranked, with the exact amount and what changes

1. Tomato Puree
Close match
Use the same amount
Smooth, thick tomato product with similar consistency to passata
What changes
Best for
pasta sauces, pizza sauce, soups, stews
Very similar texture and flavor. May be slightly thicker than passata.
2. Crushed Tomatoes
Different texture
Use the same amount
Tomatoes that have been crushed and may contain some seeds and skin
What changes
Best for
pasta sauces, soups, stews, braises
May have more texture than passata. Blend briefly if smoother consistency is needed.
3. Tomato Sauce
Different taste
Use the same amount
Seasoned tomato product that may have added herbs and spices
What changes
Best for
pasta dishes, pizza, casseroles, quick sauces
May have added seasonings. Adjust other seasonings in your recipe accordingly.
4. Fresh Tomatoes (Blended)
Close match
Use the same amount
Fresh tomatoes blended and strained to remove seeds and skin
What changes
Best for
fresh sauces, summer cooking, light dishes
Peel and seed tomatoes, then blend until smooth. May need to reduce to thicken.
5. Canned Tomatoes (Blended)
Close match
Use the same amount
Canned whole or diced tomatoes blended until smooth
What changes
Best for
pasta sauces, soups, stews, casseroles
Blend canned tomatoes until smooth. May need to strain if seeds are present.
6. Tomato Paste + Water
Different taste
Use ¼ cup tomato paste + ¾ cup water for every 1 cup passata
Dilute concentrated tomato paste to achieve passata consistency
What changes
Best for
cooking, sauces, soups, emergency substitution
Mix well to ensure smooth consistency. May be more concentrated in flavor.

Tips for substituting passata

Passata is perfect for making smooth, seedless tomato sauces
Use in Italian dishes like marinara sauce and pizza sauce
Great base for soups and stews where you want smooth texture
Passata has a clean, pure tomato flavor without added seasonings
Store opened passata in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
Freeze leftover passata in ice cube trays for future use
Passata works well in both hot and cold preparations
Perfect for making tomato-based risottos and braises

Questions about passata substitutes

What's the difference between passata and tomato puree?

Passata and tomato puree are very similar - both are smooth, strained tomato products. Passata is the Italian term, while tomato puree is more common in the US.

Can I use crushed tomatoes instead of passata?

Yes, crushed tomatoes work well as a substitute, though they may have more texture. For smoother consistency, blend them briefly before using.

Is passata the same as tomato sauce?

No, passata is pure, unseasoned tomato puree, while tomato sauce typically has added herbs, spices, and seasonings.

Can I make passata at home?

Yes, peel and seed fresh tomatoes, then blend until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any remaining seeds or skin.

Need a different ingredient?

Browse the full index, or the rest of this category.

Browse all substitutes More sauces & condiments

At a glance

Every passata substitute

1. Tomato Puree

2. Crushed Tomatoes

3. Tomato Sauce

4. Fresh Tomatoes (Blended)

5. Canned Tomatoes (Blended)

6. Tomato Paste + Water