8 Tomato Products for Indian Cooking That Save Time

It starts with oil. Then jeera. Then ginger or garlic. And almost always, tomatoes.

Whether it’s a simple masoor dal, a rich paneer butter masala, or even the morning’s anda bhurji, tomatoes are everywhere in Indian cooking. They build the base, bring the tang, and give gravies that signature red comfort we all love.

But ask any home cook, and they’ll tell you, cooking with fresh tomatoes is time-consuming. There’s washing, chopping, pureeing, and then the dreaded wait for it to “cook down.”

That’s where I found my shortcut. Not in packets of ready-made curry paste. But in real tomato products that are clean, flavourful, and preservative-free. Also, the taste is like something you’d make at home, only faster.

And if you’ve ever felt like dinner is always running late, or that your curries need “something extra,” this post is for you.

Here are 8 of the best tomato products for Indian cooking available at Chenab Gourmet that I now keep stocked, not just for convenience, but for better taste.

🍅 1. Rodolfi Ortolina Tomato Puree Traditional Crushed Tomato (400g)

🛒 Buy here

This is the closest you’ll get to crushed fresh tomatoes,  only faster. It has a slightly coarse texture, perfect for rustic Indian dishes where you want the tomatoes to show up and shine.

Where I use it:

• Rajma and chole

• Baingan bharta

• Tomato-based sabzis like aloo-tamatar or bhindi masala

🍅 2. Rodolfi Ortolina Tomato Puree (690g)

🛒 Buy here

This smooth and well-balanced tomato purée is a solid everyday base. It’s not overly sweet, not acidic, and blends beautifully with haldi, jeera, and garam masala.

Where I use it:

• Egg curry

• Simple dal tadka

• Gravy for paneer dishes or koftas

💡 Pro tip: It’s thick enough to skip long bhuno time.

🍅 3. Rodolfi Ardita Tomato Puree Super Pizza (2.5kg)

🛒 Buy here

Don’t let “pizza” fool you, this is a super versatile base puree. It’s smooth, vibrant, and has no herbs or seasoning, which makes it ideal for Indian-style dishes.

Where I use it:

• Butter chicken or paneer

• Pav bhaji

• Tomato upma

• Rasam and tomato chutney

💡 Portion and freeze — it lasts for months.

🍅 4. Rodolfi Ardita Tomato Puree Pomarella (2.5kg)

🛒 Buy here

A little thicker and deeper in colour than the Super Pizza variant, Pomarella is made for dishes that need bold tomato flavour and richness.

Where I use it:

• Mutton curry

• Sambhar

• Mixed veg in tomato-onion masala

🍅 5. Rodolfi Pizza Sauce Aromatized (400g)

🛒 Buy here

Pre-seasoned with Italian herbs, this one is perfect for no-effort dishes. Ideal for kids’ snacks or quick meals.

Where I use it:

• Bread pizzas and wraps

• Pasta for kids

• Cheesy tomato maggi

• Tomato base for pulao or even baked aloo

🍅 6. Rodolfi Tomato Puree Tube (130g)

🛒 Buy here

Convenient, mess-free, and concentrated — this tube of tomato purée is perfect for small households or solo cooks.

Where I use it:

• Add to tadka for dals

• Enrich one-pot rice or sabzi

• Quick omelette masala base

🍅 7. Rodolfi Napoletana Tomato Sauce (Sugo alla Napoletana) (400g)

🛒 Buy here

Made with tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and herbs, this is a ready-to-serve pasta sauce, but with a clean and comforting flavour that fits Indian tastes too.

Where I use it:

• Stir into boiled macaroni or penne

• Add to cooked rajma for a European twist

• Use as a pizza base with a pinch of chaat masala

🍅 8. Rodolfi Double Concentrated Tomato Paste (410g)

🛒 Buy here

When you need deep flavour and intense tomato notes, this is it. A small spoon goes a long way.

Where I use it:

• Add 1 tsp to your bhuna masala for paneer

• Keema curry or egg curry

• Spice up your sambar or rasam

Why These Tomato Products Work So Well for Indian Cooking

• No extra sweetness: Indian masalas already have heat, oil, and depth. These tomato products don’t interfere.

• No fillers or thickeners: Many commercial purees in India have starch or colouring. These don’t.

• Quick bhuno, quicker results: Since these are already thick, they reduce time spent waiting for the “oil to separate.”

• Freeze-friendly: Buy once, use all month. That’s value.

Where to Buy Tomato Products for Indian Cooking

All the above tomato products are available at Chenab Gourmet, India’s trusted gourmet food store. These are imported directly from Italy and are perfect for the Indian kitchen. Once you try these tomato products for Indian cooking, you’ll never go back to chopping tomatoes daily.