If you’ve got a can of diced tomatoes and a pinch of creativity, dinner’s basically halfway done. Whether you’re whipping up some cheesy soup, a casserole, or something with a bit more flair, these recipes have your back on those nights when you’re staring at the pantry wondering what to make.
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
This cheesy casserole combines tomatoes, peppers, and black beans with ground beef and cauliflower rice. With canned tomatoes in the mix, it’s a flavorful weeknight dinner that’s ready in 40 minutes and easy to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
A one-pan meal that pairs ground beef with sweet potatoes for a southwestern-inspired dinner. Canned tomatoes enhance the flavors, making this dish a great choice for easy meal-prepping.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
This ground beef pasta skillet is a 30-minute meal that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. The canned tomatoes bring everything together quickly, making this a reliable go-to for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Mexican Vegetable Soup
A hearty, protein-packed vegetable soup with quinoa, perfect for a nutritious vegetarian dinner. Canned tomatoes add depth and richness, and the whole thing comes together in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Vegetable Soup
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
These stuffed poblano peppers are filled with chicken, black beans, and plenty of melted cheese. The canned tomatoes provide a flavorful base, making this a comfort meal that feels satisfying without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup
A hearty soup made with chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce, perfect for quick dinners when you want something that packs a punch. Using canned tomatoes adds richness, making this soup an easy and flavorful option for weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup
Pizza Casserole
This simple pizza-inspired casserole uses pantry staples like diced tomatoes, ground sausage, and pepperoni to bring a family-favorite meal to your dinner table without the fuss of making pizza dough. It’s an easy, budget-friendly meal that will please everyone.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole
Chicken Taco Soup
A quick and easy chicken taco soup that comes together in just 20 minutes. Made with eight fresh ingredients, including diced tomatoes, this is a flavorful, no-hassle dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Soup
Easy Vegan Baked Spaghetti
This one-pan vegan baked spaghetti is a comfort food that’s perfect for busy nights. With healthy pantry ingredients like canned tomatoes, it’s a low-effort, family-friendly dish that you can rely on to make dinner stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Baked Spaghetti
Saucy Eggplant Lentil Curry
This eggplant and lentil curry is a hearty, plant-based meal that comes together in about 30 minutes. Using canned tomatoes, it delivers big flavors and makes a quick, satisfying dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Saucy Eggplant Lentil Curry
Dutch Oven 7 Can Soup
With a mix of canned goods like diced tomatoes, this 7 Can Soup is a no-fuss meal perfect for busy nights. It’s easy to throw together and ideal for feeding a crowd or enjoying during a camping trip.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven 7 Can Soup
Best Vegan Chili Recipe
This vegan chili recipe, ready in just 30 minutes, is a nourishing and simple option for weeknight dinners. The addition of canned tomatoes brings the flavor together, making it a go-to choice for anyone seeking a quick yet hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Best Vegan Chili Recipe
Sopa De Fideo Con Carne Mexican Noodles
An authentic Mexican noodle dish that’s built around toasted noodles and a rich tomato base, this comforting soup is a flavorful, nostalgic choice for dinner. Canned tomatoes help create the traditional flavors without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Sopa De Fideo Con Carne Mexican Noodles
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Loaded with ground beef, vegetables, and bold spices, this easy skillet meal is topped with homemade buttermilk cornbread. Using canned tomatoes adds flavor to this comforting dinner, making it a convenient choice for a hearty family meal.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
One Pot Taco Chicken Alfredo Pasta
A simple one-pot chicken alfredo pasta with a taco twist, this dinner is perfect for busy nights. The addition of canned tomatoes and taco seasoning gives it a flavor boost that takes minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Dad’s Easy Chili Recipe
This classic chili, made with simple ingredients and a surprising secret twist, is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Canned tomatoes give the dish a rich, slow-cooked taste, making it a reliable choice for quick, no-fuss meals.
Get the Recipe: Dad’s Easy Chili Recipe
Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet
This 30-minute Italian-inspired skillet meal is packed with cannellini beans, sausage, and a tomato-based sauce. Canned tomatoes create a robust base, making this an easy, rustic dinner everyone will love. Serve with crusty bread for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet
Seafood Paella
This gluten-free paella brings the flavors of Spain to your kitchen with chicken, shrimp, mussels, and vegetables in a saffron-infused rice. The canned tomatoes contribute to the dish’s vibrant flavors, making it an easy and crowd-pleasing dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Paella
Italian Drunken Noodles
Combining Italian sausage, fresh veggies, and pappardelle noodles, this dish brings together a fusion of flavors. Using canned tomatoes helps create a rich sauce in minimal time, making it an easy choice for midweek dinners.
Get the Recipe: Italian Drunken Noodles
Creamy Tortellini Soup
A velvety tortellini soup that’s ready in just 20 minutes. With sausage, veggies, and canned tomatoes, this quick and comforting dinner is perfect for those who want an easy, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tortellini Soup
15 Bean Soup with Sausage
This hearty bean soup features sausage, potatoes, and herbs simmered with colorful beans. Canned tomatoes give it a robust, well-rounded flavor, making it a comforting option for transitioning into cooler weather.
Get the Recipe: 15 Bean Soup Recipe with Sausage
The Best Dutch Oven Chili With Beef
A classic one-pot chili made with tender beef, beans, and a perfect blend of spices. Canned tomatoes add depth to the flavor, making this chili a great option for meal-prepping or feeding a crowd with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: The Best Dutch Oven Chili With Beef
Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Caper Tomato Butter
This pan-seared sea bass is cooked to golden perfection and paired with a flavorful caper tomato butter. Canned tomatoes make this dish easy to pull together while still feeling special, with minimal prep involved.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Caper Tomato Butter
American Goulash Recipe
A one-pot American goulash with ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles. This comforting dish is a breeze to make, and the canned tomatoes give it a richness that’s perfect for a quick and family-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: American Goulash Recipe
One Pan Mexican Quinoa
A healthy, gluten-free, one-pan Mexican quinoa dinner loaded with bold flavors and plenty of veggies. Canned tomatoes make it a quick, hearty option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Mexican Quinoa
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
