How To Can Tomato Sauce: Recipe + Step by Step Guide

Want to can fresh tomatoes into a delicious homemade tomato sauce for pasta, spaghetti, pizza sauce and more? Here’s a step by step guide for turning your tomato crop into a delicious tomato sauce at home with a simple water bath canning method. 

Hey there! On Tuesday I tackled the project of canning a half bushel of tomatoes (fresh from my mama’s garden) into tomato sauce. It was quite the project and I got a lot of pots and pans dirty, but it will be well worth it to enjoy the fresh taste of garden tomatoes in sauces, soups, and as pizza sauce this winter and fall!

I grew up canning with my  mom. Each fall and late summer for as long as I can remember our house went into canning mode and my mom has literally canned thousands of quarts of produce! I learned from the best and canning is a safe way to preserve delicious fruit and vegetables for the rest of the year.

What else can I learn to preserve at home?

The skies the limit for canning and preserving nature’s bounty! If you’re interested in more step-by-step canning guides be sure to check out…

• How to Can Peaches,
• How to Freeze Sweet Corn,
• How to Freeze Blueberries
• How to Can Grape Juice
• Make Your Own Strawberry Freezer Jam
• Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving, I’d highly suggest it if you’re going to be canning frequently!

This post contains affiliate links. See policy here. 

What supplies do I need or canning tomato sauce via the hot water bath method? 

• Blender or Food Processor
• Large stock pot for cooking sauce
• How Water Bath Canning Pot + Accessories (love this all-in-one resource!)
• Pint Jars with rings and lids 

What ingredients do I need for home canning tomato sauce?

• ½ bushel of fresh Roma tomatoes (You can mix in a few Beefsteak style tomatoes, but it will make the sauce more watery)
• A large white or yellow onion
• Green bell peppers
• Salt
• Brown sugar (helps balance the acidity!) 
• Freshly minced garlic
• Oregano
• Basil
• Canned tomato paste (this will help thicken the sauce)
• Bay leaves

The Best Way to Can Tomato Sauce – A Step by Step Guide  

Step 1: Finely chop the onion and peppers in a food processor. Set aside in a bowl

Step 2: Wash tomatoes. Drop them into a pan of boiling water, maybe for 30 seconds, then into a sink of cold water. Cut off the tops and skin them. The skin should peel off easily.

Step 3: Put tomatoes into a blender and puree in batches. Add 1 can tomato paste to batches before pureeing to make blending easier.  If necessary run through a colander to get rid of the seeds. If using Italian type tomatoes (Romas) this step is not necessary.

Step 4: Combine remaining ingredients with tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer uncovered until desired thickness in obtained. Or add more tomato paste to desired thickness.

 

(Because I didn’t have on pot big enough for all the sauce I had to divide my sauce into three pots. Just keeping it real, you guys. 🙂 )

Step 5: Rinse clean jars in hot water. Pour tomato sauce into jars using a funnel. Wipe rim of each jar. Place lids on top and screw on jar rings tightly.

Step 6: Place jars in hot water canner. Fill with water until the jars are just covered. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, boil for 40 minutes for pints and 45 minutes for quarts. Remove from water with jar lifter.

Step 7: Allow to cool and seal. Remove rings and store in cool dry area. The sauce will settle a little and have more watery sauce on the bottom and thicker on top, that’s okay, just give it a little shake before serving. My half bushel of Roma tomatoes made 17 pints of tomato sauce using this recipe.

Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe for Canning

How long does home canned tomato sauce last? 

Home preserved goods like this tomato based pasta sauce are food safe for one year. Store in a cool, dry environment for best results. If you see any evidence of the lid bulging or coming unsealed then discard immediately.

Home canned tomato sauce can last longer, but use your best judgement. 

Can I can tomato sauce without a pressure canner? 

Yes! Because of the acidity in tomatoes tomato products (tomato sauce like this or salsa or canned plain canned tomatoes) are perfect for water bath canning. 

What recipes can I use homemade tomato sauce in? 

I am planning on using my tomato sauce to make all kinds of pasta dishes: lasagna, spaghetti, cavatini, or for a quick dinner with frozen ravioli!  I also use it for my pizza sauce for homemade pizza! It’s definitely versatile!

Have you canned before? What is something you would love to try canning?