Pizza sauce is a crucial ingredient for a delicious homemade pizza, and nothing beats the satisfaction of making your own sauce from scratch. If you’re a fan of canning, then you’re in luck, because homemade pizza sauce also makes a great candidate for canning. By canning your own pizza sauce, you can enjoy the taste of fresh, homemade sauce anytime you want, without the hassle of making it every time you want to make pizza.

Here’s a simple and delicious DIY pizza sauce recipe that is perfect for canning success.

Ingredients:
– 8 pounds of ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
– 2 medium onions, chopped
– 5 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 teaspoons dried oregano
– 2 teaspoons dried basil
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
– 1/4 cup sugar

Instructions:
1. Start by peeling and chopping the tomatoes. To peel the tomatoes, make a small X at the bottom of each tomato and blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Then, transfer the tomatoes to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. The skins should easily peel off after this process.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, and sauté until they are soft and translucent.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot, along with the oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the sauce to a regular blender in small batches.

5. Add the red wine vinegar and sugar to the pot, and continue to cook the sauce for another 10 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

6. While the sauce is simmering, prepare your canning jars and lids by washing them in hot, soapy water and sterilizing them in boiling water.

7. Ladle the hot pizza sauce into the prepared canning jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth and seal the jars with the lids and bands.

8. Process the jars in a boiling water canner for 35 minutes. Remove the jars from the canner and let them cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the taste of fresh, homemade pizza sauce any time of year. Having a few jars of homemade pizza sauce on hand also makes for a great homemade gift to give to friends and family. So, get canning and enjoy the delicious taste of homemade pizza sauce on your next homemade pizza night!