If you love having homemade pantry staples on hand, this Canned Pizza Sauce recipe is a must-have. Made with tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, this flavorful sauce is perfect for homemade pizza, spaghetti, pasta dishes, dipping sauces, and more.
Water bath canning allows you to preserve this pizza sauce so it’s ready whenever you need a quick dinner. Instead of reaching for store-bought sauce, you’ll have jars of homemade pizza sauce waiting in your pantry with rich Italian flavor and simple ingredients.
This recipe makes approximately 15 half-pint jars, making it ideal for stocking your shelves and enjoying homemade meals throughout the year.
Pizza Sauce and Marinara Sauce in One
One of the best things about this homemade canned pizza sauce is that it doubles as a delicious marinara sauce. The combination of tomatoes, garlic, onions, and Italian herbs creates a versatile sauce that’s perfect for much more than pizza.
Use it as:
- Pizza sauce
- Marinara sauce for pasta
- Dipping sauce for breadsticks
- Mozzarella stick dipping sauce
- Meatball subs
- Lasagna
- Chicken Parmesan
- Baked ziti
- Stromboli
- Calzones
Having jars of this homemade sauce in your pantry means you’ll always have a flavorful Italian sauce ready for quick weeknight dinners. Whether you’re making homemade pizza or serving it over spaghetti, this sauce delivers rich tomato flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for home canning
- Rich Italian flavor
- Great for pizza and pasta
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Shelf-stable when properly canned
- Makes a large batch
- Saves time on busy nights
Having homemade pizza sauce already canned means pizza night is always just minutes away.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Italian seasoning
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Cane sugar
- Salt
- Bottled lemon juice
Equipment You’ll Need
- Water bath canner
- 15 half-pint mason jars
- Canning lids and rings
- Canning funnel
- Jar lifter
- Bubble remover tool
- Large saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Clean kitchen towels
Why Add Lemon Juice?
Bottled lemon juice is an important ingredient in this canning recipe because it helps ensure the proper acidity level for safe water bath canning.
Always use bottled lemon juice rather than fresh lemon juice since bottled juice has a standardized acidity level that has been tested for canning purposes.
Tips for the Best Canned Pizza Sauce
- Simmer the sauce long enough to develop flavor.
- Stir frequently to prevent scorching.
- Use bottled lemon juice for safe canning.
- Remove air bubbles before sealing jars.
- Leave the proper headspace for best results.
- Always inspect jars for a proper seal after cooling.
- Label jars with the date before storing.
How to Store Canned Pizza Sauce
Pantry Storage
Store sealed jars in a cool, dark location for up to 12 to 18 months for best quality.
After Opening
Refrigerate opened jars and use within 5 to 7 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato sauce?
This recipe was formulated using canned tomato products. Substituting fresh tomatoes may change the acidity and consistency.
Why do I need bottled lemon juice?
Bottled lemon juice provides a consistent acidity level necessary for safe water bath canning.
How long does canned pizza sauce last?
Properly sealed jars stored in a cool, dark place maintain best quality for 12 to 18 months.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Just make sure your pot is large enough to safely simmer the sauce.
Can I make this sauce thicker?
You can simmer it longer before canning to reduce additional liquid and concentrate the flavors.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Final Thoughts
This Canned Pizza Sauce is one of the most useful recipes to keep stocked in your pantry. It’s packed with rich Italian flavors, easy to make, and versatile enough for everything from homemade pizza to pasta dinners.
By spending a little time canning now, you’ll have homemade sauce ready whenever you need a quick and delicious meal. Once you start making your own pizza sauce, you’ll love having jars lined up on your pantry shelf waiting for pizza night.
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Canned Pizza Sauce
Equipment
- water-bath canner
- 15 half pint mason jars with lids and rings
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup grated onions or 3 tbsp dried onion flakes
- 2 tbsp garlic minced
- 3 tsp oregano
- 3 tsp dried basil
- 4 tbsp Italian seasoning see recipe link in description
- (6) 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- (3) 6 oz. can tomato paste
- 3 tsp sugar cane sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1 tsp Lemon juice per half pint jar
Instructions
- Add the oil to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the grated onion, minced garlic, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning. Toss around with a wooden spoon and cook until onions are softened and slightly browned, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful as the garlic can easily burn.
- Once the onions are cooked, add the tomato sauce and tomato paste, sugar, and salt.
- Stir until everything is combined. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes to reduce the water and enhance the flavors. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings to your preference.
- While the sauce cooks, prepare the jars and your canner. You'll need 15 (cleaned and sterilized) half pint jars, lids and rings and a water bath canner.
- Add 1 teaspoon of bottled lemon juice to each jar. Using your canning funnel ladle the sauce into jars to a 1/2-inch head space. Remove air bubbles and make sure the headspace is still correct, add more sauce if needed. Wipe rim of jar clean and put on lid and band. Tighten to fingertip tight and place into canner. Make sure jars are fully covered with water and bring to a boil. Process jars half pints for 35 minutes. If above 1,000 feet look up instructions for adjusting processing times to altitude.
- Once done, carefully remove each jar from the canner using the jar lifter. Do not tilt the jars or try to wipe them dry. Place jars onto a clean kitchen towel. Leave the jars to cool for 24 hours. Once cooled, wipe the jars of any residue that might be on the outside of the jar.
Sara, thank you so much for the homemade cinnamon rolls! I love them. I love you too. Aunt Deb
You’re welcome!