If you’re a fan of homemade pizza, you know that the sauce is a crucial element in creating a delicious pie. While store-bought pizza sauce can be convenient, there’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade sauce made with fresh, quality ingredients. And if you’re a fan of canning your own food, making and canning your own pizza sauce is a great way to enjoy the flavors of summer all year round.

Canning pizza sauce at home is a relatively simple process, and it allows you to control the ingredients and flavors that go into your sauce. Plus, when you open a jar of homemade pizza sauce in the middle of winter, you’ll be transported back to the peak of tomato season with every delicious bite. Here are a few tips for canning your own pizza sauce at home.

First, start with quality tomatoes. Whether you use fresh tomatoes from your garden or local farmers market, or canned tomatoes from the store, the key is using ripe tomatoes bursting with flavor. San Marzano tomatoes are a popular choice for pizza sauce, but any variety of tomatoes can work well.

Once you have your tomatoes, it’s time to start making the sauce. You’ll need to cook down the tomatoes with garlic, onions, herbs, and spices to create a rich and flavorful sauce. You can customize the flavors to your liking, adding in ingredients like oregano, basil, thyme, or red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

After you’ve made the sauce, it’s time to can it. To ensure the safety and shelf stability of your canned pizza sauce, you’ll want to use a pressure canner or follow the proper guidelines for using a water bath canner. Be sure to sterilize your jars and lids, and carefully follow the instructions for processing and sealing the jars.

Once your pizza sauce is canned and sealed, you can store it in a cool, dark place for up to a year. When you’re ready to use it, simply open a jar and spread the sauce on your homemade pizza crust, add your favorite toppings, and bake to perfection. The result will be a delicious, homemade pizza that’s bursting with flavor and made with love.

Canning your own pizza sauce is not only a great way to enjoy the flavors of summer all year round, but it’s also a wonderful way to preserve the bounty of the season and reduce food waste. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that you’ve made something delicious from scratch and have the ability to enjoy it whenever you please.

So, gather your tomatoes, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to can your own pizza sauce. With a little bit of time and effort, you’ll have a pantry full of homemade, delicious sauce that will take your homemade pizzas to the next level.