Homemade pasta sauce is a delicious and versatile way to add flavor to your favorite pasta dishes. And when you can it, you can enjoy the taste of summer all year long. This ball canning pasta sauce recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking. So whether you’re a canning newbie or a seasoned pro, give this recipe a try.
The secret to a great pasta sauce is using fresh, ripe tomatoes. If you can’t find fresh tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes. However, fresh tomatoes will give your sauce a much better flavor.
Ingredients and Equipment
- 6 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 16-ounce jars with lids and rings
How to Make Ball Canning Pasta Sauce
In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, or until the sauce has thickened.
While the sauce is simmering, sterilize the jars, lids, and rings. To sterilize the jars, place them in a dishwasher and run it through a hot cycle.
To sterilize the lids and rings, boil them in water for 10 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, ladle it into the hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean damp cloth.
Place the lids and rings on the jars and tighten them until they are fingertip-tight.
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. Once the jars have been processed, remove them from the water bath and let them cool completely.
Tips and Possible Variations
Once you have mastered the basic ball canning pasta sauce recipe, you can start to experiment with different variations. Here are a few ideas:
Add meat to your sauce. Ground beef, sausage, or chicken are all good options. Brown the meat before adding it to the sauce.
Use different vegetables. Bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and corn are all good additions to pasta sauce. Add the vegetables to the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Add herbs and spices. A few tablespoons of fresh basil, oregano, or thyme will brighten up the flavor of your sauce. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little spice.
Canning pasta sauce is a great way to preserve the flavors of summer. And with this easy ball canning pasta sauce recipe, you can enjoy the taste of homemade pasta sauce all year long.