Easy Canned Pizza Sauce: Thick & Flavorful

Easy Canned Pizza Sauce is the ultimate way to preserve rich tomato flavor in a thick, herb-packed sauce that’s ready whenever pizza night calls. Instead of relying on store-bought jars filled with preservatives or extra sugar, making easy canned pizza sauce at home gives you full control over flavor, texture, and ingredients. Even better, once safely canned, you’ll have shelf-stable jars ready for homemade pizzas, calzones, breadsticks, and more.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to prepare tomatoes properly, cook and thicken the sauce, safely process jars using the water bath method, and store your easy canned pizza sauce for months of convenience.

JUMP TO

Table of Contents

Why Easy Canned Pizza Sauce Is Worth Making

Making easy canned pizza sauce may seem like extra effort at first. However, the benefits quickly become clear once you taste the difference.

Benefits of Making Your Own Pizza Sauce

Easy canned pizza sauce offers:

• No artificial preservatives
• Control over salt and seasoning
• Thicker texture than pasta sauce
• Richer herb flavor
• Long shelf life

Because pizza sauce is typically thicker and more concentrated than marinara, it holds up beautifully under melted cheese without becoming watery.

What Makes Pizza Sauce Different from Pasta Sauce

Although similar, pizza sauce and pasta sauce are not identical.

Pizza sauce is:

• Thicker
• Less watery
• More herb-forward
• Usually lower in sugar

When making easy canned pizza sauce, the goal is a thick, spreadable consistency that won’t make your pizza crust soggy.

Best Tomatoes for Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

Choosing the right tomatoes is essential.

Best options include:

• Roma tomatoes
• Paste tomatoes
• Plum varieties

These tomatoes contain less water and more flesh, meaning your easy canned pizza sauce will naturally thicken faster.

Avoid large slicing tomatoes, as they require longer cooking to reduce excess liquid.

How to Make Easy Canned Pizza Sauce Step by Step

Now let’s walk through the full process of making easy canned pizza sauce from start to finish.

Ingredients for Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

You’ll need:

• 20 pounds fresh Roma tomatoes
• 1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice per quart jar (or 1 tablespoon per pint jar)

Because acidity is critical for safe canning, always use bottled lemon juice rather than fresh.

Preparing the Tomatoes

Proper preparation ensures smooth texture and safe preservation.

Step 1: Wash and Score

Wash tomatoes thoroughly and score a small X on the bottom of each.

Step 2: Blanch and Peel

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Submerge tomatoes for 30–60 seconds until skins loosen.

Transfer immediately to ice water. Skins should peel off easily.

Step 3: Core and Crush

Remove cores and any damaged areas. Crush tomatoes by hand or pulse in a food processor.

Because paste tomatoes are dense, your easy canned pizza sauce will thicken nicely during cooking.

Cooking and Thickening the Sauce

Cooking concentrates flavor and achieves proper consistency.

Sauté Garlic

In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.

Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

Pour crushed tomatoes into the pot. Stir in oregano, basil, salt, and tomato paste.

Bring mixture to a gentle boil.

Simmer and Reduce

Simmer uncovered for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

The sauce should:

• Thicken noticeably
• Reduce in volume
• Develop deep flavor

Because pizza sauce must be thicker than pasta sauce, aim for a spreadable consistency.

Preparing Jars for Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

Clean jars thoroughly and keep them hot until filling.

Heat lids in warm water to soften sealing compound.

Proper sanitation is essential for safe easy canned pizza sauce.

Filling and Processing Jars

Add Lemon Juice

Add bottled lemon juice directly to each jar:

• 2 tablespoons per quart
• 1 tablespoon per pint

This ensures safe acidity for water bath canning.

Fill Jars

Ladle hot sauce into jars, leaving ½ inch headspace.

Remove air bubbles with a non-metal utensil.

Wipe rims clean and secure lids fingertip tight.

Water Bath Processing

Place jars in a boiling water bath canner.

Process:

• 35 minutes for pints
• 40 minutes for quarts

Adjust for altitude if needed.

After processing:

• Remove jars carefully
• Let cool undisturbed for 12–24 hours
• Listen for sealing “pop”

Check seals before storing.

Flavor Variations for Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

Once you’ve mastered the classic version, you can easily customize easy canned pizza sauce to suit your preferences. Because the base is simple tomato and herbs, small adjustments can create bold new flavors.

Spicy Pizza Sauce

If you enjoy a little heat, add:

• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Finely minced hot peppers

Stir the spice into the sauce while simmering. However, keep in mind that flavors intensify slightly during storage.

Garlic-Forward Version

For stronger garlic flavor:

• Double the garlic
• Roast garlic before adding

Roasted garlic adds depth and mild sweetness while keeping your easy canned pizza sauce balanced.

Low-Sodium Option

To reduce sodium:

• Cut salt in half
• Add fresh herbs when using
• Increase oregano for stronger flavor

Because pizza toppings often contain salt, reducing sodium in your sauce is a smart choice.

No-Cook Style Flavor

Some people prefer a fresher, uncooked-style pizza sauce flavor. To achieve that while still canning safely:

• Simmer just long enough to thicken
• Avoid overcooking herbs
• Add fresh basil when serving rather than before canning

Storage and Shelf Life of Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

Proper storage ensures your easy canned pizza sauce remains safe and flavorful.

Pantry Storage

Store sealed jars in a:

• Cool
• Dark
• Dry place

Properly processed jars can last up to 12–18 months. However, for best flavor, use within one year.

Signs of Spoilage

Before opening, check for:

• Bulging lids
• Leaks
• Mold
• Off smells
• Spurting liquid when opened

If anything appears questionable, discard the jar immediately.

Nutritional Overview of Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

One benefit of easy canned pizza sauce is full control over ingredients.

Estimated nutrition per ¼ cup serving:

Nutrient	Approximate Amount
Calories	35–45
Fat	1g
Carbohydrates	7g
Sugar	4g (natural tomato sugars)
Fiber	2g
Sodium	120mg (varies by salt added)
Protein	1g

Because it’s vegetable-based and low in fat, easy canned pizza sauce fits easily into many diets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

Best Ways to Use Easy Canned Pizza Sauce

Once your easy canned pizza sauce is ready, it becomes incredibly versatile.

Use it for:

• Homemade pizza
• Calzones
• Stromboli
• Dipping sauce for breadsticks
• Flatbreads
• Pizza bagels

Because it’s already thick and seasoned, preparation time is minimal.

Conclusion: Fresh Flavor Ready Anytime

Easy canned pizza sauce gives you the convenience of store-bought jars with the bold flavor of homemade cooking. By preserving fresh tomatoes safely, you create a pantry staple that makes pizza night faster, easier, and more delicious.

With proper preparation, safe canning practices, and careful storage, your easy canned pizza sauce will stay fresh and flavorful for months. Once you taste the difference, you may never go back to store-bought again.

Print