# What to do with over 1/2 gal of canned tomato sauce **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 18, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423 "2018-05-18T19:43:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/1 "2018-05-18T19:43:15Z")
So I cashed in a bunch of Safeway Monopoly coupons and found myself with nine free 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce. To add another wrinkle, my stove is on the fritz so I currently have access to a micorwave, an oven, a combination crockpot/roaster, a George Foreman Grill, and a relatively weak hot plate. I guess I could make a big batch of pasta sauce, but I don’t think the hot plate is up to boiling a big pot of water for spaghetti. Also I prefer to use more chunky tomatoes when I make sauce. Anyone have any other ideas? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/2 "2018-05-18T20:18:21Z")
Pizza sauce. Lots and lots of pizza sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/3 "2018-05-18T20:18:31Z")
Do you have access to a bathtub and some type of human companion? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/4 "2018-05-18T20:24:08Z")
I make ‘Zoop’ in my crock pot. It’s a beef stew with tomato sauce added. If you use stew meat it is more tender slow cooked. Add a bay leaf. Yummy good. You can make a kind of Salisbury steak in a crock pot. Minute steak onions bell pepper and tomato sauce. I have never done it but, I hear you can cook pasta in a crock pot. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/5 "2018-05-18T20:29:49Z")
Why do you have to use it all at once? It’s canned, it will keep for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/6 "2018-05-18T21:02:38Z")
That’s what I was thinking. But I learned the hard way that for a while is not the same as forever. I had a can of tomato paste where the can eventually seemed to corrode from the inside. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/7 "2018-05-18T21:38:10Z")
I don’t have to use it up all at once, but since its taking up room in my pantry if I can use a lot of it that will be good. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I make ‘Zoop’ in my crock pot. It’s a beef stew with tomato sauce added. If you use stew meat it is more tender slow cooked. Add a bay leaf. Yummy good. > You can make a kind of Salisbury steak in a crock pot. Minute steak onions bell pepper and tomato sauce. > I have never done it but, I hear you can cook pasta in a crock pot. Sounds really good! Can you give me some hints as to the ingredients/ratios in your Zoop? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/8 "2018-05-18T22:38:35Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > That’s what I was thinking. But I learned the hard way that for a while is not the same as forever. I had a can of tomato paste where the can eventually seemed to corrode from the inside. I’d wager what you saw was oxidation, due to a small leak. It makes the tomato sauce turn blackish and corroded-appearing. But if the cans are properly sealed, that should not occur for a looong time, in my experience. Of course in my household, we’d go through 9 eight oz. cans of tomato sauce in less than 30 days, given all the stews, chowders, soups and sauces we make here for our regular meals. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/9 "2018-05-18T22:47:16Z")
‘ZOOP’ 1 lb. Stew beef or lamb 1 yellow onion chunked up 2 potatoes chunked up 2 carrots sliced or baby carrots 1 celery stalk chunked up 1 envelope onion soup mix ( knorr brand) 1 can tomato sauce 1 can of water Salt Pepper Garlic powder 1 bay leaf. I brown the meat slightly, you don’t have to though. Add everything to crock pot. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hrs Add water if necessary as it cooks. That’s all it is. Easy peasy. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/10 "2018-05-19T00:10:26Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Of course in my household, we’d go through 9 eight oz. cans of tomato sauce in less than 30 days, given all the stews, chowders, soups and sauces we make here for our regular meals. I was going to say. We buy tomato sauce by the case around here. ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/11 "2018-05-19T00:20:03Z")
You could taunt skunks, knowing you have the remedy for being sprayed. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/12 "2018-05-19T00:31:30Z")
> [@Karen\_Lingel](#): > > You could taunt skunks, knowing you have the remedy for being sprayed. Too bad it doesn’t work, or hardly works. There are things that work a lot better. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/13 "2018-05-19T01:15:46Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > ‘ZOOP’ > … I may try this, and I like your “chunked up” instruction. I predict that I will add powdered red pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/14 "2018-05-19T02:24:13Z")
Yes, a little heat would be good in it. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-over-1-2-gal-of-canned-tomato-sauce/814423/15 "2018-05-19T02:55:20Z")
Why not just make some freezer meals? Meatballs and sauce, stuffed cabbage casserole, pasta bakes, or just freeze some of the sauce. I pretty much will freeze anything.