Smooth, rich and naturally flavorful, Italian passata is one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen. Made from carefully selected tomatoes, its silky texture and vibrant tomato flavor make it a staple in countless Italian recipes.
From understanding how passata is made to discovering what sets it apart from other tomato products, explore why this simple Italian essential deserves a place in your pantry.
Simple ingredients, authentic Italian flavor and endless possibilities in the kitchen. Discover what makes passata a staple of traditional Italian cooking.
Passata is a smooth, sieved tomato purée made from ripe Italian tomatoes. The tomatoes are processed to remove skins and seeds, creating a silky consistency that makes passata an ideal foundation for homemade sauces, soups, stews and countless other recipes.
Cento Traditional Passata is made with Italian tomatoes and sea salt, allowing the natural flavor of the tomatoes to shine without added sugar, herbs or a prepared sauce's seasonings.
Passata has long been part of Italian home cooking. During the height of tomato season, families would gather to prepare and preserve ripe tomatoes, capturing their vibrant flavor to enjoy throughout the year.
The word passata comes from the Italian verb passare, meaning "to pass." It refers to the process of passing tomatoes through a sieve or mill to separate the smooth purée from the skins and seeds.
Although passata comes conveniently packaged in a glass jar, it is designed to be used as an ingredient. Season it, simmer it or use it as the starting point for your favorite Italian dishes.
Passata begins with ripe Italian tomatoes, carefully prepared to capture their natural flavor. From selecting and washing to straining, hot filling and sealing, each stage helps deliver a smooth, versatile tomato ingredient ready for your kitchen.
Ripe Italian tomatoes are carefully selected and sorted to remove fruit that doesn't meet quality standards.
The tomatoes are thoroughly washed and briefly heated to prepare them for processing.
The tomatoes are crushed and passed through a sieve to separate the skins and seeds, creating a smooth purée.
The smooth tomato purée is heated and filled into glass jars while hot, an important part of the preservation process.
AN IMPORTANT PRESERVATION STEPFilled jars are sealed and cooled, helping preserve the quality of the passata until it's ready to enjoy.
Hot filling is a preservation process in which the passata is heated before being transferred into glass jars. The product is filled while hot and the jars are sealed.
When carried out under controlled processing conditions, this method helps support product safety and shelf stability while maintaining the tomato flavor and consistency that make passata so versatile.
From smooth passata to concentrated tomato paste, every tomato product has a different texture and purpose. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right ingredient for your favorite recipes.
Smooth, strained tomato purée made from ripe tomatoes with the skins and seeds removed. Its natural flavor makes it a versatile base for countless dishes.
Whole, diced or crushed tomatoes packed for convenience. Depending on the variety, they offer more texture and tomato pieces than smooth passata.
A cooked tomato-based product that may include seasonings or other ingredients. Prepared pasta sauces often have a more developed, ready-to-use flavor.
Tomatoes cooked down into a thick, concentrated paste. A small amount adds deep tomato flavor and richness to sauces, soups and savory dishes.
When a recipe calls for a smooth tomato base without chunks or heavy seasoning, passata is an excellent choice. Its silky consistency blends easily into sauces, soups and other dishes.
Unlike tomato paste, passata doesn't need to be diluted to create a sauce. And unlike prepared pasta sauces, it gives you the freedom to build your own flavor with herbs, spices and other ingredients.
Want to learn more about the different types of canned tomatoes and when to use each one? Explore our Canned Tomato Guide for helpful tips on choosing the right tomato product for your kitchen.
Passata's smooth texture and vibrant tomato flavor make it one of the most adaptable ingredients in Italian cooking. From simple weeknight meals to slow-simmered favorites, there are countless ways to put it to use.
Simmer passata with olive oil, garlic and fresh basil for a simple tomato sauce. Add vegetables, meat or cream to make it your own.
Season passata with olive oil, salt and oregano for a smooth sauce that's easy to spread across homemade pizza dough.
Add passata to vegetable soup, minestrone or hearty stews for rich tomato flavor without chunky tomato pieces.
Build a flavorful cooking liquid for chicken, beef or vegetables with passata, stock, herbs and aromatics.
Layer passata-based sauce with pasta, ricotta and mozzarella for comforting baked ziti, lasagna and casseroles.
Let passata simmer gently with meat, vegetables and seasonings to create deep, developed flavor while retaining a smooth base.
Looking for inspiration? Try these Cento recipes featuring the smooth, rich flavor of passata.
Tender pastina simmered in a smooth tomato broth, finished with butter, Pecorino Romano and fresh basil for a comforting Italian favorite.
Rich tomato passata, aromatic garlic and fresh basil come together in a smooth, velvety soup that's perfect for a comforting meal.
Tender pasta layered with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella, baked until golden and bubbly.
A few simple storage tips can help you maintain the quality of your passata and make the most of every jar.
Store unopened jars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Always check the best-by date and storage instructions on the label.
Refrigerate passata promptly after opening. Keep it tightly covered in its original jar or a clean, food-safe container, and use it within the timeframe specified on the product label.
Have some passata left over? Divide it into small portions and freeze in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the refrigerator before using in your next recipe.
Leftover passata is perfect for adding tomato flavor to soups, quick pasta sauces and braised dishes. Freezing it in small portions makes it easy to use just what you need without opening another jar. For the best quality, always follow the storage guidance on your Cento product label.
From silky-smooth Traditional Passata to the hearty texture of Rustica, explore three ways to enjoy authentic Italian tomato flavor. Discover the right passata for your favorite recipes.
Packaging, nutrition facts and ingredient statements are
subject to change. For the most up to date information
regarding a product, please refer to the product’s packaging.
