Pizza night is a beloved family tradition for many. Whether you’re a fan of classic pepperoni and cheese or more adventurous toppings like pineapple and ham, one thing all great pizzas have in common is a delicious sauce.

While store-bought pizza sauce is convenient, there’s something special about homemade pizza sauce. It’s fresh, customizable, and surprisingly easy to make. And with the abundance of tomatoes in the summer, it’s the perfect time to make a large batch of homemade pizza sauce and preserve it in jars for future pizza nights.

To get started, you’ll need fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil, oregano, salt, and olive oil. You can also add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, or sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes. The beauty of homemade pizza sauce is that you can adjust the flavors to suit your preferences.

To make the sauce, start by boiling a large pot of water. Score the bottom of the tomatoes with an “X” and carefully drop them into the boiling water for about 1 minute. Remove the tomatoes and place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. The skins should now peel right off.

Next, chop the tomatoes and simmer them in a large pot with the onions and garlic until they start to break down. Add the herbs and spices, and continue to simmer until the sauce thickens. Then, remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool.

Once the sauce is cooled, it’s time to preserve it in jars. Sterilize your jars and lids by boiling them for 10 minutes. Carefully ladle the sauce into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars to remove any sauce, and then place the lids on top. Screw on the bands, but not too tightly.

Now, you will need to process the jars in a water bath canner for about 35-40 minutes. Once the processing time is up, carefully remove the jars from the canner and let them cool. Once cool, check the lids to ensure they are sealed. If they are, your pizza sauce is now preserved and ready to be stored for future pizza nights.

Having a stash of homemade pizza sauce in your pantry means you can whip up a delicious pizza at a moment’s notice. Not only is it convenient, but the flavor of homemade pizza sauce is unbeatable. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy the taste of summer tomatoes all year long.

So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to jar up some delicious DIY pizza sauce. Your family and friends will thank you for it.