All the times we were rescued by a tin of tomatoes

If you've got a tin of tomatoes in your pantry, you'll never go hungry.

Source: Savannah van der Niet

A tin of tomatoes is the king of the pantry. It's a lifesaver when 5pm rolls around and you're still not certain what you're making for dinner. Add a truckload of spices and some other pantry staples and you've got yourself a bowl of harira soup. Or dial down the spice, add some herbs and garlic and enjoy pasta Napoletana instead.

Whether you like some heat or prefer things cool, the convenience of tinned tomatoes delivers. All of these recipes prove the point but don't be shy to experiment by subbing out fresh tomatoes for the canned variety in any dish you find. We won't tell if you don't.

Make it soup

Add a few key ingredients to a tin of chopped tomatoes and a nourishing dinner is good to go.

Zesty spice

Red mullet, prawns and haddock all pair perfectly with the big tomato flavours in this soup. Source: Haarala Hamilton / Bloomsbury

Southern Italy loves a good fish soup, most of them tomato-based and all of them memorable. Zuppa di pesce piccante con pomodori e scorzetta di arance adds chilli and orange to really bring the zing. Fortunately, it takes longer to say than to make.

Well charred

Freeze a batch of this soup for challenging days. Source: Benito Martin

Layer upon layer of Mexican-inspired flavour stacks up to a big soup that's paired with everyone's favourite comfort food - cheese toasties. Just the thing for a late supper on the couch after an equally big day.

Rustic charm

Filling, moreish, dreamy. Source: Louise Franc

If you're wishing for a Tuscan getaway, slide into this chicken soup while you dream. It promises all the flavours of the Italian region in a warming, accessible bowl.

Lentil mix

You'll make way more Berbere spice mix than you need for the recipe and be very grateful for the fact. Source: Louise Franc

An Ethiopian Berbere spice mix ensures that this is not your average lentil soup. Blending no less than 13 spices might turn you off, but rest assured it's a very lucky number as far as blow-the-doors-off flavour goes.

Make it pasta

Italians have a long love affair with tomatoes and fresh isn't always the best.

Simple joys

This classic Italian dish is confirmation that the simple things in life are often the best (and even better if you know a few tricks!). Source: SBS Food

Proof that the easiest dishes are often the best - fettuccine Napoletana takes just six ingredients, one of which is a can of tomatoes. A few Maurice Esposito tricks in the preparation elevate this dish to something outstanding.

Balls away

Add a little turmeric to your red sauce to add depth and create vibrancy. Source: Kitti Gould

There's something irresistible about spaghetti and meatballs (if you're a vego, try it with these bean balls instead). The sauce here uses a tin of crushed tomatoes - making it both cheap and super quick.

King ragù

Ragù is the traditional Sunday lunch for most southern Italian families: the tomato sauce dresses the pasta and the meat is served as a main course. Source: Tammi Kwok

The higher acidity and sweetness of tinned tomatoes add so much to a traditional ragù. Take your time cooking this one as the longer it simmers, the better it gets.

Make it spicy

Tomatoes can handle all the spice you want to throw at them and still stand proud.

Creole class

Jambalaya is a one-pan classic from Louisiana. Source: Adam Liaw

The Creole version of Jambalaya adds tomatoes to the mix. That plus the kitchen sink of course - we're talking meat, seafood, vegetables, rice and plenty of heat.

Red dahling

Come on in, the dahl is fine. Source: Mary Makes It Easy

For a satisfying vegetarian dish, you can't really beat a bowl of coconut dahl - especially when accompanied by roasted curried potatoes. Settle in, you're going to want to linger over this one.

All shuk up

This one-pot Middle Eastern favourite hits the spot any time of day. Source: Savannah van der Niet

When it comes to easy breakfasts, reach for your tin of tomatoes, then reach for the spice. Yes, it's shakshuka time.

Not-spag bol

Sopa seca translates to 'dry soup' in English, but this unique dish is no more a soup than it is an Italian pasta. Source: Hardie Grant Books

Sopa seca is a Peruvian pasta dish that tastes nothing like the pasta you're used to. It's spicy and unusual and totally addictive.

Sweet and spicy

A rich tomato gravy that's spicy yet sweet makes this an incredibly tasty dish. Source: China Squirrel

It's not often a Malaysian curry will bring in the tomatoes, but this one does to lip-smacking effect. The natural sweetness of the tomatoes means you would never guess there was a whopping 12 dried chillies in this recipe... or maybe you would...

Make it mild

While they are so often paired with spices, tomatoes are also responsible for some of the world's most child-soothing dishes imaginable. Works for grown-ups, too.

Caccia later

This is a great family-friendly meal for any night of the week. Source: Adam Liaw

Chicken cacciatore is a dish that's been passed down through generations and is a household staple in both Italy and Spain. It's super-tasty without spice or heat.

Rata too

The perfect ratatouille brims with summer vegetables – eggplant, zucchini, capsicum and tomato. Source: Benito Martin

Ratatouille is to the French what cacciatore is to the Italians - a family-friendly dish on high rotation. It needs a low and slow cook, so be sure to start it in the morning so it's ready and waiting for dinner.

Comfort pie

A tomatoey-lamb mince topped with potatoes was always going to work. Source: Michele Curtis

Shepherd's pie is the British version of home-cooked comfort food. Its soft flavours are the stuff the cooler seasons are made for.

Softly does it

For everything that ails you. Source: Paola Bacchia

A tomato risotto is pure cosiness in a bowl. Guaranteed to nourish every care away.