There’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade pizza sauce. With fresh ingredients and the perfect blend of flavors, you can create a sauce that will take your homemade pizza to the next level. Canning your sauce is a great way to preserve it for future use, ensuring that you always have a delicious, homemade option at the ready.

To help you achieve perfect homemade pizza sauce every time, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to canning your sauce. Follow these simple instructions to create a tasty sauce that you can enjoy for months to come.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

To make homemade pizza sauce, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

– 2 ½ pounds of ripe tomatoes, chopped
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1 teaspoon of sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste

Step 2: Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by prepping your ingredients. Chop your tomatoes, onion, and garlic, and gather your spices. It’s important to use ripe tomatoes to ensure a rich, flavorful sauce. You can also use a combination of different types of tomatoes for added depth of flavor.

Step 3: Cook Your Sauce

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let the sauce cook, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency.

Step 4: Prepare Your Canning Jars

While your sauce is simmering, prepare your canning jars for storage. Wash your jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water, and rinse them thoroughly. Place your jars in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and let the jars simmer for 10 minutes to sterilize them. Remove the jars from the pot and set them aside to dry.

Step 5: Can Your Sauce

Once your sauce has cooked and thickened, it’s time to can it. Using a ladle, carefully transfer the hot sauce into your prepared canning jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of your jars with a clean towel to remove any sauce or residue, and then place the lids on the jars, securing them with the bands.

Step 6: Process Your Jars

Once your jars are filled and sealed, it’s time to process them. Place the jars in a large pot of boiling water, making sure they are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring the water back to a boil, and then process the jars for 35 minutes.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Sauce

After processing, carefully remove the jars from the water and place them on a towel to cool. As they cool, you should hear the lids pop—a sign that they have sealed properly. Once the jars have cooled completely, check the seals by pressing down on the center of the lid. If it doesn’t move, the jar is sealed.

Your homemade pizza sauce is now ready to enjoy! Store your canned sauce in a cool, dark place, and use it to elevate your homemade pizzas, pasta dishes, and more. With this step-by-step guide, you can perfect your homemade pizza sauce and enjoy its delicious flavor all year round.