Canning spaghetti sauce with meat is a fantastic way to enjoy the rich flavors of your homemade sauce all year round. Whether you’ve just made a big batch of your favorite meat sauce or want to preserve fresh tomatoes combined with savory ground meat, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step. Let’s dive in!
Why Can Spaghetti Sauce with Meat?
Canning your own spaghetti sauce with meat lets you capture the fresh, hearty taste of homemade sauce without preservatives. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, emergency food storage, or gifting to friends and family. Plus, it saves money and reduces food waste by preserving seasonal tomatoes and meat when they’re at their best.
Ingredients You’ll Need
– Fresh tomatoes (about 30 lbs for a large batch)
– Ground meat (beef, sausage, turkey, or venison; around 2.5 lbs)
– Garlic (5 cloves, minced)
– Chopped onions (1 cup)
– Chopped celery or green peppers (1 cup)
– Fresh mushrooms (optional, 1 lb sliced)
– Salt (4.5 teaspoons)
– Oregano (2 tablespoons)
– Minced parsley (4 tablespoons)
– Black pepper (2 teaspoons)
– Brown sugar (1/4 cup)
These ingredients create a balanced, flavorful sauce that’s rich and hearty.
Step-by-Step: Making Your Meat Spaghetti Sauce
1. Prepare the Tomatoes
Start by washing your tomatoes thoroughly. To remove the skins easily, dip them in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds until the skins split, then transfer them to cold water. Once cooled, peel off the skins, remove the cores, and quarter the tomatoes.
2. Cook the Tomato Base
Place the quartered tomatoes in a large saucepan and boil uncovered for about 20 minutes. This softens the tomatoes and concentrates their flavor. After boiling, pass the tomatoes through a food mill or sieve to create a smooth tomato pulp.
3. Brown the Meat and Sauté Vegetables
In a separate skillet, brown your ground meat until fully cooked. Add garlic, onions, celery or green peppers, and mushrooms if using. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and aromatic.
4. Combine and Season
Add the sautéed meat and vegetables to the tomato pulp in the large saucepan. Stir in salt, oregano, parsley, black pepper, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens and reduces by nearly half.
How to Can Your Spaghetti Sauce with Meat Safely
Because this sauce contains meat, it’s essential to use a pressure canner to prevent the risk of botulism and ensure safe preservation.
1. Prepare Your Canning Equipment
– Sterilize your jars, lids, and rings.
– Fill your pressure canner with a few inches of simmering water.
2. Fill the Jars
Ladle the hot sauce into sterilized jars, leaving about 1 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe jar rims clean and place the lids on, securing with rings.
3. Process in the Pressure Canner
Load the jars into the canner. Seal the lid and allow steam to vent for 10 minutes. Then bring the canner up to pressure. Process pint jars for 60 minutes and quart jars for 70 minutes. Adjust pressure according to your altitude to ensure safety.
4. Cool and Store
After processing, turn off the heat and let the canner depressurize naturally. Remove jars and place them on a towel to cool. Once cooled, check seals. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.
Tips for the Best Meat Sauce Canning Experience
– Use lean ground meat to reduce grease.
– Sauté vegetables until tender for deeper flavor.
– Stir frequently during simmering to prevent burning.
– Adjust seasoning to taste before canning.
– Label jars with the date and contents.
Serving Ideas for Your Canned Meat Sauce
Your canned spaghetti sauce with meat is versatile! Use it over pasta, as a base for lasagna, or even as a hearty topping for baked potatoes. It also freezes well if you want to save some for later.
Enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of your homemade canned meat sauce anytime you crave a comforting Italian meal!
Canning spaghetti sauce with meat is a rewarding way to preserve fresh flavors and enjoy homemade goodness year-round. Happy canning!