Pizza sauce is a key ingredient in making delicious homemade pizzas. While store-bought pizza sauce is convenient, making your own at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Plus, canning your own pizza sauce allows you to enjoy it throughout the year, even when fresh tomatoes are out of season.

Here’s a simple recipe for homemade pizza sauce and a guide for canning it yourself at home.

Ingredients:
– 10 pounds of fresh, ripe tomatoes
– 1 onion, finely 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 teaspoon of dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:
1. Prepare the tomatoes by washing them thoroughly and removing the stems. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the tomatoes for about 1 minute. Then, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Peel off the skins and chop the tomatoes into small pieces, discarding the seeds.

2. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they are soft and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Allow the tomatoes to cook down for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

4. Once the tomatoes have thickened into a sauce-like consistency, add the salt, sugar, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes (if using). Adjust the seasoning to taste, and continue to simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.

5. While the sauce is simmering, prepare your canning jars and lids by sterilizing them in boiling water.

6. Once the sauce is ready, carefully ladle it into the prepared canning jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars clean and place the lids on top, then secure them with the screw bands.

7. Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes, making sure the tops of the jars are covered by at least 2 inches of water. Once the processing time is complete, carefully remove the jars from the water and let them cool on a towel.

Now, you have your own delicious homemade pizza sauce that you can enjoy year-round. Simply store the canned jars in a cool, dark place and use the sauce whenever you’re craving a homemade pizza.

Canning your own pizza sauce at home is a great way to preserve the flavors of fresh tomatoes and create a homemade product that you can be proud of. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding DIY project that allows you to enjoy homemade pizza sauce anytime you want. So, give it a try and enjoy the delicious taste of homemade pizza sauce on your next pizza night!