Tomato Passata is pureed, strained tomatoes usually sold in bottles. It’s 100% tomato, no additives or flavourings, but sometimes contains added salt. It’s uniform and smooth unlike crushed or chopped tomatoes, and makes gorgeously thick tomato-based sauces. It’s known as Tomato Puree in the US (here’s a photo).
Though more widely available nowadays, and around the same price as canned tomato, I sill regularly get asked questions about it so I thought it was worth doing a little FAQ.
Tomato Passata is an ingredient that I’m quite fond of, one I use regularly in tomato-based sauces. Though increasing in popularly, it’s not as well known as crushed tomato and tomato paste. So I thought it would be helpful to do a little 101 on Tomato Passata – what it is, how to use it, why I love it so much!
What is Tomato Passata?
Tomato Passata is just plain tomato that’s been pureed and passed through a sieve to strain out any chunks so it’s perfectly smooth. It doesn’t have any additional flavourings, but sometimes has salt added.
It’s essentially canned crushed tomato that’s been pureed, but thicker. If you were to just puree crushed tomato, it would be thinner. You would have to press it through a sieve to achieve the same consistency.
How to use Tomato Passata
Tomato passata makes thicker, more intense tomato-flavoured sauces than using the equivalent amount of crushed or diced canned tomatoes. It’s brilliant for making quick pasta sauces and soups, where you can’t or don’t simmer for a long time (eg. 30 minutes+), which ordinarily would be required to break down the chunks of crushed or diced tomato to thicken the sauce.
Here are Italian Meatballs in a sauce made with Passata. The sauce is only simmered for 10 minutes, and you can see how much there is!
Where to buy Tomato Passata
10 years ago, passata was relatively hard to find in Australia. Nowadays, it’s sold at major supermarkets (Coles and Woolworths) in the pasta section, as well as fresh produce stores like Harris Farms. Of course you can find many varieties at Italian delis too.
By weight, it’s usually slightly better value than canned tomato.
In the US, I’ve seen tomato passata even at Walmart! Also available on Amazon and of course, Italian groceries such as Eataly in New York.
My preferred passata brand is Mutti, from Italy. I find their tomatoes are sweeter and less sour than other brands, with a a rich tomato taste. I also hear Mutti is very popular in Italy – an endorsement if there ever was one! Mutti is not much more expensive than any other brand over here.
Best Substitute for Tomato Passata
If you’re in American or Canada, the best substitute for tomato passata is tomato puree. Tomato puree is very similar or identical in the way it’s made, and recipes I’ve made using tomato puree came out the same as when made using tomato passata.
To MAKE Tomato Passata using tomato paste, see this recipe – Tomato Paste Substitute for Tomato Passata and Canned Tomato.
Difference between Tomato Passata and….
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Tomato paste – Passata is thinner and less intense flavoured than tomato paste which has a much thicker consistency, a very intense tomato flavour and is more sour. See how to make a Tomato Passata substitute using tomato paste.
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Crushed (or chopped) canned tomato – Passata has a thicker and smoother consistency, whereas crushed tomato has thick crushed bits of tomato suspended in thinner tomato juice. Crushed tomato needs to be cooked for a while to break down into a thick sauces, whereas tomato passata is already a thick sauce consistency.
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Tomato Sauce (US) – Tomato passata is not the same as tomato sauce in the US (which is pureed tomato like passata but with flavourings added). Note: Tomato Sauce in Australia is like ketchup. In America, Tomato Sauce is liked a canned version of tomato passata.
I love using tomato passata, and you can see all my recipes made using passata here. Here are a few examples:
Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
I didn’t find the original recipe quantities at first so used a whole bottle of Passata. Yikes. Haven’t added beans yet. What should I do so it’s not too strong with tomato. Don’t want to waste anything. Making it for a very unwell friend.Cheers Joy
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Hi Joy, which recipe are you making sorry? N x
Nagi, My hubby says I can never make a good Bolognaise. After reading your one pot recipe , must give it a try. I didn’t know what Passata was until now, and have only recently notice Mutti Brand being put on Darwin Woolies shelves. With a bit of hope they can continue to supply. Most good brands seem to only last a short while up here before home brands replace them.
Looking forward to making your one pot Spaghetti.
You can get tomato passata in Canada at Superstore and I’m sure most major groceries. I’d never heard of it before and just looked for it! 3 different brands available.
I found Mutti passata at Zehrs (ontario canada)! Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful ingredient!
Hi Nagi, im from the US and new to your blog. Just wanted to say I am so excited to try your recipes. I have been looking online and found that passata is known as Strained Tomatoes here in the US. Pomi is one brand that sells them and is found in grocery stores.
Hi! I’m from California. I haven’t heard of pasaata (sp) but I will be on the look out for it. I am trying your recipe for a few adaptations. I only had tomato paste so I used that. I also added sun dried tomatoes and kalamata olives. It smells delicious! Looking forward to dinner! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Nagi. Normally I buy Australian grown tinned crushed tomatoes. A few weeks ago I was excited to find jars of Australian grown tomato passata. (Here in Sydney).
Great product. Yes it is slightly different from the crushed tomatoes. Australian grown. Hooray.
You do such a good job on this website. Thanks.
Hi, thanks so much for explaining what Passata is. I feel very squared away on the fact that it’s simply tomato purée in the USA. I just thought that I should mention that in your final notes you state “ Note: Tomato Sauce in Australia is like ketchup. In America, Tomato Sauce is liked a canned version of tomato passata”, perhaps you should edit that statement to say that in America, Tomato Purée is like a canned version of tomato Passata. Thank you again!
Superb as usual, Nagi!!
My little family loved this meal (my wee 19 month old boy was wolfing it down).
That’s great to hear Cat! N x
I have been a big fan of yours for a few years receiving your weekly Emails and print at least 40% of your recipes and cook them too. I came across a recipe calling for “tomato passata”… with no idea what it was. I Googled it and “Recipe Tin Eats” was the second entry… of course. Thanks for the information on passata…
I’m cooking 2 of your recipes for lunch today. Realised that I was out of ketchup so substituted with passata for the slow cooked beef brisket… then I did a search for the difference and came back to your site. Not sure how it will go. Probably won’t be as sweet, but still has the brow sugar. What do you think?
Hi Gary, that’s fine, you can just add a little salt and sugar to balance out the passata! – N x
Thanks Nagi. It turned out quite nice. I didn’t any extra sugar or salt. It did taste different, but it was a nice substitute.
I am on a diet (sigh) but I am drooling at your inviting photos. Your videos and photos are not only helpful they are truly beautiful and so professional.
So if I am on a diet, why am I scouring your wonderful and tempting website? I’m hooked on your personality, notable talents, and down-to-earth approach to creating fabulous meals.
Thanks so much Suzy that’s so kind of you!!! ❤️
Always looove to see passion in cooking (anything) I use your recipes a lot I must say ur explanation about products/ingredients helps me a lot. Together with those info, your recipe, other references, and my recipe- I often get the best (of course not the best for everyone but for me and my boyfriend) outcome. Thank you for posting and sharing recipes. Your passion, love, effort, and time are much appreciated! What a wonderful girl! Thanks!
Thank you so much for the great feedback ❤️
I love your recipes! I make your mac & cheese and every time it’s a great hit! It’s the most requested dish at my husband’s monthly pot luck luncheon at his firm. And I’ve converted a few mac & cheese haters into mac & chrese lovers worth it.