Recipes with tomato paste

Braising can turn a tough piece of meat into a tender, fall off the bone, comfort food. I can think of no better example than the classic dish osso buco, made from veal shanks.

Veal ragout simmered with carrots, celery, potatoes, peas, tomato paste, garlic, and marjoram. A classic one-pot stew with golden-browned veal in a rich, savory gravy.

Crock-Pot chicken cacciatore slow-cooked in tomato paste, red wine, mushrooms, and Creole seasoning until the meat falls off the bone. A set-it-and-forget-it Italian-Cajun fusion served over pasta.

Savory mince simmers ground beef with mushrooms, onion and tomato paste into a quick, budget-friendly base you can spoon over baked potatoes, pile on toast or use to stuff peppers. Endlessly versatile.

Rostbraten mit Pilzfulle, a classic German flank steak rolled around a mushroom, onion and herb stuffing, braised with bacon in mustard-kissed beef gravy. A rustic, old-world Sunday dinner centerpiece.

Portuguese red bean soup with chorizo sausage, kidney beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and paprika in chicken broth. A hearty, smoky one-pot soup inspired by traditional Portuguese cooking.

Bay scallops poached in white wine with a bouquet garni, then draped in a velvety Dijon mustard and butter sauce with capers. A refined French classic from the Savoie region.

Battered eggplant slices deep-fried until crispy and drizzled with a spicy Sichuan sauce of chili bean paste, black vinegar, ginger, and tomato paste. A vegetarian Chinese dish with serious crunch and heat.

Homemade Filipino-style banana ketchup simmered with raisins, tomato paste, allspice, cayenne, and dark rum. Sweet, tangy, and warmly spiced. Makes 3.5 cups and keeps for a month.

Italian lasagna with ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan layered with a homemade tomato meat sauce. A big-batch recipe that makes four 8x8 pans, perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing ahead.

Hearty Southwestern meatball soup with beef and pork meatballs, rice, tomato paste, and fresh coriander simmered in a rich beef broth. Sopa de albóndigas at its finest.

Herb-packed chicken spaghetti sauce with oregano, basil, marjoram, and rosemary simmered in tomato paste and sauce. Make it in the microwave for a quick dinner or on the stovetop for deeper flavor.

Curried ground beef with ginger, raisins, and almonds served over creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Warm spices meet comfort food in this make-ahead casserole dinner for four.

Button mushrooms simmered in a spicy Creole sauce with red wine, garlic, jalapeno, tomatoes, and oregano. A bold, low-calorie side dish ready in 25 minutes.

Curry-rubbed lamb rib chops seared in peanut oil until crusty and golden, finished with a silky wine-butter pan sauce of shallots, broth, and tomato paste. A fast, refined dinner for four.

Vegan soya bean paté with sautéed onions, tomato paste, black olives, parsley, and toasted sesame seeds. A high-protein spread for crackers or toast.