Pizza sauce is the key ingredient that makes a homemade pizza taste just as good as the ones from your favorite pizzeria. Making your own pizza sauce not only allows you to customize the flavors to your liking, but it also ensures that you know exactly what goes into it. Preserving your homemade pizza sauce in cans is a great way to have it on hand for whenever a pizza craving strikes. In this article, we’ll share a simple and delicious recipe for homemade pizza sauce and provide tips for canning it for long-term storage.

Ingredients:

– 2 cans (28 oz each) of whole tomatoes
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to taste)

Instructions:

1. Start by heating the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they are soft and translucent.

2. In the meantime, open the cans of whole tomatoes and pour them into a bowl. Use your hands to crush the tomatoes into smaller pieces.

3. Add the crushed tomatoes to the saucepan along with the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, you can add a tablespoon of sugar at this point.

4. Stir the sauce and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.

5. Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before transferring it to clean, sterilized canning jars.

Preserving in Canning Jars

Canning your homemade pizza sauce in jars is a simple and effective way to store it for long periods of time. Here’s how to do it:

1. Wash the canning jars and lids in hot, soapy water, then rinse them thoroughly.

2. Fill each jar with the hot pizza sauce, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.

3. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal, then place the lids on top and screw on the bands.

4. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes (adjusting for altitude if necessary). Make sure the jars are completely submerged in the boiling water.

5. After processing, carefully remove the jars from the water bath and place them on a clean kitchen towel to cool.

6. Once the jars have cooled, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid does not move, the jar is sealed. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used within a few days.

7. Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy homemade pizza sauce all year round. Whether you use it for pizza, pasta, or as a dipping sauce, you’ll love the rich, fresh flavors of your homemade creation. So go ahead and make a big batch of pizza sauce, and preserve it in cans to keep the taste of summer in your pantry all year long. Cheers to delicious homemade pizza!