Home Canned Marinara Sauce
This homemade marinara sauce is a perfect way to preserve fresh garden flavors and can be used for pasta dishes, pizza, and more.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 18 pounds paste or roma tomatoes Use ripe, fresh tomatoes for the best flavor.
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped Adjust the amount according to your taste.
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
- ¼ cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
- ¾ cup bottled lemon juice Always use bottled lemon juice for safe acidity when canning.
Instructions
Preparation
- Core and roughly chop the tomatoes.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and salt until the onion is transparent, about 10 minutes.
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it simmer for 20 to 30 minutes until the tomatoes break down.
- Position a food mill or sieve over a large bowl. Press the hot tomatoes, onions, and garlic through it, clearing out the skins and seeds as needed.
- Return the pressed tomatoes to the pot. Simmer the sauce until it reduces by one-third to one-half, which may take up to 4 hours.
- About half an hour before canning, stir in the chopped basil and parsley.
- Prepare a water bath by submerging 4 quart jars in boiling water for 10 minutes and simmer the lids in hot water.
- Remove the hot jars from the boiling water and add 3 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice to the bottom of each jar.
- Using a large ladle, pour the hot tomato sauce into the jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean kitchen towel. Place the lids and rings on top, then process in a boiling water bath for 40 minutes.
- After processing, transfer the jars to a clean towel and let them sit undisturbed at room temperature for 24 hours.
Notes
Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place. For unsealed jars, keep them in the refrigerator and use within a week. Properly canned marinara can last for up to one year. Optionally, add herbs like oregano or thyme for different flavors, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice.