There’s nothing quite like homemade pizza, and what better way to elevate your pizza game than with a rich, flavorful pizza sauce made from scratch? Canning your own pizza sauce allows you to enjoy fresh, homemade flavors any time, without relying on store-bought options. Plus, it’s a great way to use up an abundance of garden tomatoes during harvest season.
In this blog post, I'll walk you through a simple recipe for making and canning pizza sauce that will become a pantry staple, ready to go whenever you need it. Whether you're new to canning or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you create a delicious sauce that can be preserved for up to a year.
Why Make Your Own Pizza Sauce?
Store-bought pizza sauces can be convenient, but they often lack the deep, fresh flavors you get from homemade versions. When you make your own pizza sauce, you control the ingredients, flavor intensity, and thickness. Homemade pizza sauce also allows you to avoid preservatives, excessive salt, or sugar, making it a healthier option.
Canning the sauce makes it shelf-stable, so you can whip up a pizza any time without worrying about making sauce from scratch every time.
Ingredients for Homemade Pizza Sauce
For this recipe, I’ll use fresh tomatoes as the base, but if you prefer, you can use canned tomatoes. The choice of herbs and spices can be customized to your taste.
Basic Ingredients:
- 10 pounds fresh tomatoes (preferably Roma or plum tomatoes)
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried oregano)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tablespoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or citric acid per pint jar (for canning safety)
Optional Add-Ins:
- Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for additional depth of flavor
Step-by-Step Recipe for Pizza Sauce
1. Prepare the Tomatoes
- Wash and core the tomatoes. To easily peel the skins, blanch the tomatoes by placing them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath. Once cooled, the skins should slip off easily.
- Cut the tomatoes into chunks and remove any excess seeds.
2. Cook Down the Tomatoes
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the prepared tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine.
3. Simmer the Sauce
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the sauce uncovered for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- As the sauce simmers, the tomatoes will break down, and the liquid will reduce. If you want a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
4. Season the Sauce
- After the sauce has thickened to your liking, stir in the basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too acidic, you can add more sugar to balance the flavor.
Preparing for Canning
Now that your pizza sauce is ready, it’s time to preserve it using the canning method. Canning will ensure that your sauce stays fresh and shelf-stable for up to a year.
What You’ll Need:
- Sterilized pint jars with lids and bands
- A large water bath canner
- Jar lifter or tongs
- Ladle and funnel for filling jars
- Clean towels
Canning Instructions:
1. Warm Your Jars
Before you begin canning, make sure your jars, lids, and bands are properly warmed up. Heat the jars and lids in hot water for 10 minutes, to avoid heat chock.
2.Fill the Jars
Using a ladle and funnel, carefully fill each jar with the hot pizza sauce, leaving about ½ inch of headspace at the top of each jar. This space allows the sauce to expand as it heats during the canning process.
3. Add Lemon Juice or Citric Acid
To ensure the acidity level is safe for canning, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or ½ teaspoon of citric acid to each pint jar before sealing. This step is crucial for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.
4. Seal the Jars
Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean towel to remove any sauce residue. Place the lids on the jars and screw the bands on until they are fingertip-tight.
5. Process the Jars in a Water Bath
Place the filled jars into a water bath canner, making sure the jars are fully submerged in water. Bring the water to a boil and process the jars for 35 minutes (adjust time if necessary for your altitude).
6. Cool and Store
Once the processing time is complete, use a jar lifter or tongs to carefully remove the jars from the water. Place them on a towel to cool. As the jars cool, you should hear a "pop" indicating that the jars have sealed properly. After 24 hours, check the seals by pressing down on the lids—if the lid doesn’t move, the jar is sealed.
Storing and Using Your Pizza Sauce
Once sealed, store your jars of pizza sauce in a cool, dark place. Properly canned sauce can last up to a year. When you’re ready to use your sauce, simply open a jar, spread it on your pizza dough, and add your favorite toppings.
This homemade sauce can also be used in a variety of other dishes, such as pasta, as a base for casseroles, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.
Tips for Making the Best Pizza Sauce
- Use high-quality tomatoes: Roma or plum tomatoes are ideal for pizza sauce due to their meaty texture and lower water content.
- Adjust the thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue to simmer the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can strain some of the liquid early in the cooking process.
- Experiment with herbs: Customize your sauce by experimenting with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves to match your flavor preferences.
- Don’t skip the acidity: Lemon juice or citric acid is essential for safely canning your pizza sauce, as it ensures the proper acidity to prevent bacteria growth.
Enjoy Your Homemade Canned Pizza Sauce!
Making and canning your own pizza sauce is a rewarding way to bring fresh, homemade flavors to your meals year-round. Whether you’re hosting a pizza night, making a quick weeknight meal, or looking for a versatile pantry item, this sauce will come in handy. Plus, knowing you made it from scratch adds an extra layer of satisfaction to every dish you create.
Happy canning!
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