If you love homemade pizza, then having a supply of homemade pizza sauce on hand is a must. Not only does it add a delicious flavor to your pizzas, but it’s also a great way to use up extra garden tomatoes or store-bought tomatoes before they go bad. Canning your own pizza sauce is a simple and cost-effective way to always have a delicious sauce ready for whenever a pizza craving strikes.

To get started, you’ll need a large pot for boiling water, a canning pot or large stockpot, canning jars with lids, a food processor or blender, and the following ingredients:

– 10 pounds of ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped
– 2 onions, chopped
– 6 cloves of garlic, minced
– ¼ cup olive oil
– 2 teaspoons dried oregano
– 2 teaspoons dried basil
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Here’s a simple DIY recipe for canning homemade pizza sauce:

1. Start by preparing your canning jars and lids by washing them in hot, soapy water and then sterilizing them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Keep the jars and lids warm until ready to fill.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

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

4. Once the tomatoes have cooked down, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly. Use a food processor or blender to puree the mixture until smooth. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your equipment.

5. Return the pureed sauce to the pot and add the dried oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar, if using. Bring the sauce back to a simmer and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

6. While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully add the filled jars to the boiling water using a jar lifter and process them for 35 minutes. Once processed, carefully remove the jars from the water and let them cool on a towel-lined countertop.

Once cooled, check to ensure the jars have sealed properly. You can do this by pressing down on the center of the lid. If the lid does not move, it is sealed. If it pops up and down, the jar did not seal and should be refrigerated and used within a week.

With this simple DIY recipe, you can enjoy the delicious taste of homemade pizza sauce all year round. Whether you’re using tomatoes from your garden or picking up a bushel from the farmers’ market, canning your own pizza sauce is a great way to preserve the flavors of summer and enjoy them well into the colder months. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding way to take your pizza game to the next level!