Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meat: Canning Made Simple

There’s nothing quite like the rich, savory taste of homemade spaghetti sauce. And when it comes to canning your own sauce, the satisfaction of knowing you have a stockpile of delicious, preservative-free sauce at your fingertips is unbeatable. Whether you’re a seasoned canner or a novice just starting out, making and canning your own spaghetti sauce with meat is a straightforward process that yields delicious results.

Before getting started, it’s important to gather all necessary canning equipment. This includes canning jars with lids and bands, a large stockpot for boiling water, a canning rack, a jar lifter, and a funnel for filling the jars. It’s also crucial to follow proper canning procedures to ensure safety and reliability.

Once you have your equipment ready, it’s time to begin preparing the sauce. The following recipe is a classic, easy-to-make spaghetti sauce with meat that can be canned for long-term storage. This sauce is perfect for pasta dishes, pizzas, and more.

Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meat Recipe:

Ingredients:

– 6 lbs of fresh, ripe tomatoes (or three 28-oz cans of whole, peeled tomatoes)
– 1 lb of ground beef or Italian sausage
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup of fresh basil, finely chopped
– 1/4 cup of fresh oregano, finely chopped
– 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped
– 1/4 cup of sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions:

1. If using fresh tomatoes, blanch and peel them before starting. To do this, bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare a large bowl of ice water. Score the tomatoes with an X on the bottom and drop them in the boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer them to the ice water. Peel the tomatoes and roughly chop them.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.

3. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

4. Add the chopped tomatoes (or canned tomatoes, if using), basil, oregano, parsley, sugar, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.

5. Once the sauce has thickened, return the cooked meat to the pot and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Canning Instructions:

1. While the sauce is simmering, prepare your canning equipment. Wash the jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water, and sterilize them by boiling for 10 minutes. Keep the jars hot until ready to use.

2. Once the sauce is ready, ladle it into the prepared jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth, and place the lids on top. Secure the bands until they’re just snug.

3. Place the filled jars in a canning rack and lower them into a large pot of boiling water. Make sure the jars are covered by at least 1-2 inches of water. Cover the pot and process the jars for 35 minutes. After the processing time is complete, turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the water for 5 minutes before removing them from the pot.

4. Carefully remove the jars from the pot using a jar lifter and place them on a towel to cool. As the jars cool, you should hear the lids “pop,” indicating that they have properly sealed. Once the jars have cooled completely, check that the lids are sealed by pressing down on the center of each one. If the lid doesn’t flex or make a popping sound, the jar is sealed.

5. Store the sealed jars of sauce in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Once opened, store any leftovers in the refrigerator and use within a week.

Now that you have a delicious, homemade spaghetti sauce with meat that’s safely canned and ready to enjoy, you can bask in the satisfaction of having your own stockpile of preservative-free goodness at your disposal. Whether you use it for a quick weeknight pasta dinner or a homemade pizza, this sauce is sure to add a burst of flavor to any dish. With just a little time and effort, you can fill your pantry with jar after jar of delightful, homemade spaghetti sauce.