Stuffed peppers are a tasty and nutritious meal. They are made in a variety of ways, including vegetarian and vegan options. But what if you have all of your ingredients except for the delicious tomato sauce topping?
If you need a tomato sauce alternative, you may be unsure of what to use as a substitute. Continue reading below for creative ideas to complete your meal.
1. Tomato Juice
If you don’t have tomato sauce, don’t worry. You can add tomato juice to your stuffed peppers to create a sauce. Tomato juice is acidic and delicious like tomato sauce. Add spices to your liking to give it a fuller flavor.
2. Tomato Paste
Tomato paste provides a rich flavored substitute for tomato sauce. If you don’t like the thickness of the paste, add water to thin it out. Use salt to break up the flavor and pour it evenly over your peppers.
3. Fresh Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes can be chopped and put into a blender to create a tomato sauce substitute. You can add other vegetables like onions or carrots to the mix to make a more robust sauce substitute.
4. Tomato Salsa
Tomato salsa from the grocery or any Mexican restaurant can be a great addition to your stuffed peppers. The spices in the salsa will add heat and flavor to your meal.
5. Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are a kitchen staple, they are very versatile and will add moisture to your stuffed peppers. The tomatoes can be added whole or blended depending on your texture preference.
6. Cheese Sauce
If you have a tomato allergy or don’t like tomatoes, then you may have a different need for your stuffed peppers. In this case, try a cheese sauce. Cheese sauce will add moisture and flavor to the peppers.
You can create your own or use a cheese sauce in a jar. Either one will make your stuffed peppers taste delicious and unique.
Be Creative
When you are out of a certain ingredient for your favorite meal, be creative with the solution. Use items that are similar to the missing item for a taste that reminds you of the original. If you want a whole different meal idea, use an ingredient that is completely out of the box.
Cooking has endless possibilities with substitutions and variations, use these substitutes for spaghetti, pizza, or even tacos!
