Our Favorite Brand Of Canned Tomatoes Is Straight From Italy

When it comes to tomatoes, Italy often knows best, and for good reason. The coastal breezes and the hot Mediterranean sun offer some of the best terrains on the planet for growing sweet, juicy tomatoes. With so many staple Italian dishes that feature this distinctive fruit, having the best in the biz is only fitting. In our ultimate ranking of canned tomato brands, we found that some of the very best were — perhaps unsurprisingly — imported from Italy.

Grown in Parma, the Mutti brand of diced Roma tomatoes was singled out for particular praise in the ranking. These naturally sweet and tangy tomatoes are a key ingredient in a variety of recipes but are also tasty right from the can, a true testament to the high quality of ingredients and care taken by Mutti during the processing and packaging stages. At around $2.49 for a 14-ounce can, they're also relatively affordable, given the high prices of some other brands on the list.

Despite its name, the Roma tomato doesn't have much of anything to do with Rome, Italy. It was actually developed in the United States and is a cross between a San Marzano and Pan American tomato bred for its shape, disease resistance, and ability to withstand drops in temperature. Unlike other tomato varieties, Roma tomatoes have meaty flesh with few seeds and relatively high amounts of both sugar and acid, which makes them ideal for sauces or pastes.

Mutti Roma tomatoes are harvested and quickly processed to preserve their fresh-from-the-vine taste. Once processed and canned, Roma tomatoes are the perfect base for making homemade pasta or pizza sauces and can bring brightness and flavor to protein-rich recipes featuring chicken or seafood. Fresh-picked from Italy and straight to your plate, a can of these tangy, sweet, juicy tomatoes is prized. You'll definitely want to snag a can or two for your next pasta or pizza night.