Canning Homemade Spaghetti Sauce With Meat
Homemade spaghetti sauce with meat is a delicious and versatile staple that can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you want to use it as a base for your favorite pasta dish, as a topping for pizza, or as a flavorful addition to your meatloaf or lasagna, homemade spaghetti sauce with meat is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals.
Ingredients
Before you start canning your homemade spaghetti sauce with meat, you'll need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- 12 cups of peeled, chopped tomatoes (you can use canned tomatoes if fresh ones are not available)
- 2 pounds of ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cups of chopped onions
- 1 cup of chopped green bell pepper
- 1 cup of chopped celery
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of dried basil
- 2 tablespoons of dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients, it's time to start making your homemade spaghetti sauce with meat. Here's how:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the pot and cook until browned.
- Add the onions, green bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the pot and cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once the sauce is cooked, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth.
- Fill your canning jars with the sauce, leaving about ½ inch of headspace at the top.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth and place the lids and bands on the jars.
- Process the jars in a boiling water canner for 35 minutes (for pints) or 40 minutes (for quarts).
- Remove the jars from the canner and let them cool on a wire rack.
- Check the seals on the jars after they have cooled. If the lids are concave and do not move when pressed, the jars are sealed and can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
Tips for Success
Making homemade spaghetti sauce with meat can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it's important to keep a few tips in mind to ensure success:
- Be sure to use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Use a large pot to avoid overcrowding the ingredients.
- Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.
- Use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender to puree it for a smoother consistency.
- Be sure to leave enough headspace in the canning jars to allow for expansion during processing.
- Check the seals on the jars after they have cooled to ensure they are properly sealed.
Conclusion
Canning homemade spaghetti sauce with meat is a great way to enjoy the flavors of summer all year round. With a few simple ingredients and some basic canning equipment, you can make a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. So why not give it a try and see how easy and rewarding it can be!