When it comes to versatility in the pantry, it's hard to beat canned tomatoes. Harvested and preserved at the peak of freshness, plump, red canned tomatoes are almost always tastier than fresh, according to the produce pros at Bon Appétit. Canned tomatoes bring acidity to the party, a great thing for counterbalancing fatty richness, like in the timeless duo of meatballs and marinara. They're also naturally brimming with umami, which experts at Science of Cooking say makes meals more flavorful by enhancing the savory taste of other ingredients.