Pizza is a popular food enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether it’s a quick meal on busy weeknights or a fun dinner for the family, pizza is always a hit. And one of the key ingredients that make a great pizza is the sauce.

While it’s easy to pick up a jar of pizza sauce at the grocery store, making your own homemade pizza sauce can be a rewarding and delicious experience. Not only does it allow you to control the ingredients and flavors, but it also gives you the satisfaction of creating something from scratch.

One way to ensure you always have pizza sauce on hand is by canning your own. Canning pizza sauce not only preserves the sauce for future use but also allows you to make a large batch at one time. Here’s a simple DIY recipe for canning pizza sauce that will become a staple in your kitchen.

Ingredients:

– 6 pounds of fresh tomatoes
– 1 onion, chopped
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1 teaspoon of sugar
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
– 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (for canning)

Instructions:

1. Start by blanching the tomatoes to make them easier to peel. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Score the bottom of each tomato with an “X” and place them in the boiling water for about 30 seconds. Remove the tomatoes using a slotted spoon and immediately transfer them to the ice water. Once they are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and chop the tomatoes.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, sugar, oregano, basil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Once the sauce has thickened, it’s ready to be canned. Prepare your canning jars and lids by sterilizing them in boiling water. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to each pint jar or 4 tablespoons to each quart jar.

5. Ladle the hot pizza sauce into the prepared jars, leaving about a 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe the rim of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue and place the lids on top. Screw on the bands until they are fingertip tight.

6. Process the jars in a boiling water canner according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation guidelines. Once the jars are processed, remove them from the canner and let them cool at room temperature. Check the seals after 24 hours and store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator.

Now that you have homemade pizza sauce that can be stored in your pantry for future use, you can enjoy the convenience and satisfaction of having a kitchen staple at your fingertips. Whether it’s for traditional pizzas, calzones, or even as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, your homemade canned pizza sauce will surely elevate your pizza-making experience. With the right ingredients and a little bit of effort, you can have delicious, homemade pizza sauce whenever you need it.