Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meat: A Complete Canning Guide

Spaghetti is a classic Italian dish that is loved by people all over the world. And what makes it even more delicious is a homemade spaghetti sauce with meat. Making your own sauce from scratch not only allows you to control the ingredients and flavors, but it also brings a sense of satisfaction and pride.

Canning your homemade spaghetti sauce with meat is a great way to preserve it for later use. By canning the sauce, you can enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors of summer tomatoes all year round. Plus, it’s a cost-effective way to stock up your pantry with delicious, homemade sauces.

Here, we will provide you with a complete canning guide for homemade spaghetti sauce with meat, along with a delicious and hearty sauce recipe that you can use for canning.

Canning Guide for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meat:

1. Gather your equipment: You will need a large pot for cooking the sauce, canning jars, lids, and bands, a canning rack, a canning funnel, a ladle, a jar lifter, and a kitchen towel.

2. Prepare the sauce: Make a large batch of homemade spaghetti sauce with meat using a recipe of your choice. Make sure the sauce is hot when you start the canning process.

3. Sterilize the jars: Wash the canning jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Sterilize the jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes. Keep the jars in the hot water until you are ready to fill them.

4. Fill the jars: Using a canning funnel, ladle the hot spaghetti sauce into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1 inch of headspace at the top.

5. Remove air bubbles: Run a small, non-metallic spatula or chopstick around the inside of the jar to remove any air bubbles.

6. Wipe the jar rims: Use a damp towel to wipe the rims of the jars to remove any sauce residue. This will ensure a proper seal.

7. Apply the lids and bands: Place the sterilized lids on the jars and secure them with the bands, but not too tightly.

8. Process the jars: Place the jars in a canning rack in a large pot of boiling water, making sure the jars are covered by at least 1-2 inches of water. Process the jars for the recommended time according to your recipe and altitude.

9. Remove the jars: Using a jar lifter, carefully remove the jars from the water and place them on a kitchen towel on the counter. Let them cool completely.

10. Check the seal: Once the jars have cooled, press down on the center of the lid to ensure it has sealed properly. If the lid doesn’t pop or move, the jar is sealed.

11. Label and store: Label the jars with the date and sauce type and store them in a cool, dark place.

Now that you have the complete canning guide, let’s move on to the recipe for a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce with meat.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meat Recipe:

Ingredients:
– 4 lbs fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 large onion, diced
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 green bell pepper, diced
– 1 6 oz can tomato paste
– 1 16 oz can tomato sauce
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
– 1 tbsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.

2. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent.

3. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add the chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Adjust the seasoning to your preference.

5. Simmer the sauce for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened to your liking.

6. Once the sauce is ready, follow the canning guide provided above to preserve the sauce for later use.

This homemade spaghetti sauce with meat is full of robust flavors and is perfect for canning. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you made this delicious sauce from scratch and have it available for a quick and convenient dinner any time of the year. Happy canning!