Homemade Canned Pizza Sauce: A Quick and Easy Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a homemade pizza, and one of the most important elements of a delicious pizza is the sauce. While store-bought pizza sauce can be convenient, there’s something special about making your own sauce from scratch. And the best part is, you can make a large batch and can it for future use! Here’s a quick and easy recipe for homemade canned pizza sauce that you can use to elevate your homemade pizza game.

Ingredients:
– 6 lbs. fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
– 2 tsp. dried oregano
– 1 tsp. salt
– 1/2 tsp. black pepper
– 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
– 1 tbsp. sugar
– 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until they are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and the mixture has thickened.

3. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree the sauce until smooth. If using a regular blender, be sure to let the sauce cool first before blending.

4. Add the fresh basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, red wine (if using), sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sauce. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

5. Once the sauce is ready, it’s time to can it. Sterilize your canning jars and lids according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ladle the hot sauce into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth, then place the lids and screw on the bands.

6. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes. Once the processing time is up, carefully remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool on a towel-lined countertop.

Once the jars have cooled and the lids have sealed, your homemade canned pizza sauce is ready to be stored. You can keep the jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

This pizza sauce is not only perfect for homemade pizzas, but it can also be used as a base for other Italian dishes like pasta, calzones, and stromboli. With its delicious, fresh flavor, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought sauce again.

So, the next time you’re in the mood for a homemade pizza night, why not make a big batch of this homemade canned pizza sauce? You’ll be glad you did!