A small wood bowl of tomato paste next to a wood spoon with tomato paste and fresh tomatoes in the background on wood surface - Mescioglu/Getty Images More often than not, you can make a super tasty ...

Chances are, if you look in your pantry right now, you'll find a jar or can of a deep ruby red ingredient laying in wait. It's tomato paste, and secretly it can completely transform your cooking life.

We’re not going to beat around the bush here: Tomato paste is kind of weird. The putty-like tomato gloop looks like something you’d find in a hobby shop or the dental care aisle of your drug store.

American, I find myself making tomato-based dishes every week. From minestrone to penne alla vodka and ragu, all of these ...