How to Make Canned Spaghetti Sauce Better: 7 Delicious Ideas

Canned sauces can be used to make a quick and easy dinner at the end of a long day. Learn how to make canned spaghetti sauce better with a few simple tricks.

Spaghetti sauce is similar to marinara sauce, which is a thin tomato-based sauce often eaten with pastas. The difference, however, is that spaghetti sauce is usually thicker and richer, and with the occasional addition of aromatic with herbs and spices. 

Whether you choose to make your own spaghetti sauce, or purchase it in store, sometimes the taste isn’t always as good as you’d hoped. This article will show you how to make canned spaghetti sauce taste better, and how to make and can your own spaghetti sauce. This will allow you to cut down on plastic waste, skip the additives and preservatives, and enjoy the taste fresh and local produce all year round. 

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• 18 lbs fresh tomatoes, homegrown or local if possible        
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups white or yellow onions, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 bay leaves, crushed
• 2 tbsp canning salt (non-iodized)
• 1 tbsp black pepper, ground
• 1½ tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 tbsp dried celery leaves

For Canning

• 2 tbsp lemon juice* – per quart jar
• Quart jars 
• Boiling water canner (like this Granite Ware 8-Piece Canner Kit from Amazon**)

*Use bottled lemon juice because the pH level is consistent which is what’s required for canning. 

Instructions:

1. Wash, peel, core, and purée the tomatoes. You can purée the tomatoes in a food processor or blender. 
2. Combine all ingredients in a large stockpot and cook on medium-low heat for about two hours. Your sauce should ideally be cooking at a gentle simmer the duration of the two hours and uncovered so the sauce can thicken. 
3. Depending on the water content of the tomatoes you use, you may need to cook your spaghetti sauce longer to reach the right consistency. It should be relatively thick. Once your spaghetti sauce has reached your preferred thickness, you can continue to the canning step below. 

Canning Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

1. Starting with freshly sterilized jars, put two tablespoon of lemon juice in each jar. 
2. Transfer the spaghetti sauce to each jar, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. 
3. Wipe the tops clean and screw on the lids. Place jars into water bath canner.  Once all jars are inside the canner, fill with enough water to cover at least two inches of water over the top of the jars. Boil the jars for about 40 minutes. 
4. At the end of the 40 minutes, gently remove the jars using the jar lifter and set them on a counter with a towel covering it. Allow them to cool for at least 12 hours undisturbed. Inspect the lids to ensure they all sealed. The lid should not flex up and down when the center is pressed. 
5. Label and store in a cool, dark place. 
6. Canned spaghetti sauce stays good at room temperature, – as long as the lid properly sealed – for up to a year. 

Read below for tips on how to make canned spaghetti sauce taste better and improve your meals. 

How to Make Canned Spaghetti Sauce Taste Better

It’s no secret that store-bought spaghetti sauces sometimes lack the freshness and boldness of flavors that homemade sauces do. One of the quickest ways to improve any sauce is to use pasta water. For other ways to make canned spaghetti sauce taste better, use the following ingredients:

• Garlic: Though there is already garlic in our homemade spaghetti sauce recipe, and many store-bought spaghetti sauces will also list it as an ingredient, fresh garlic will always elevate flavor with fresh and bold flavors. 
• Fresh or Dried Herbs: Incorporating fresh or dried herbs into canned spaghetti sauce can also add more depth, flavor, and freshness. If using dried herbs, such as a DIY Italian seasoning blend, you can use them at any time while heating your sauce on the stove – if utilizing fresh herbs, it’s usually better to add them at the end or to use them for garnish. 
• Nuts: Use some roasted, toasted, or sautéed nuts to garnish on your pasta to add crunchy texture and robust flavor. 
• Red Pepper Flakes or Dried Chili: If you want to make jarred or canned spaghetti sauce taste better, try adding crushed red pepper flakes or dried chili. If using whole dried chili, either crush it using a mortar and pestle or break it up using your fingers before adding it to the spaghetti sauce – just make sure to either use gloves or to wash your hand really well afterwards. 
• Fresh Vegetables: you can make canned spaghetti sauce taste better by using vegetables in your pasta such as eggplant, arugula, red bell pepper, broccoli, mushrooms, or any other vegetables you have on hand.
• Vegan Cheese: While spaghetti and other pasta dishes are usually associated with cheeses like parmesan and mozzarella, you can also incorporate vegan parmesan substitutes or other vegan cheese substitutes instead. 
• Red Wine: Red wine is an ingredient that can add more complexity and depth to a spaghetti or pasta sauce. It’s especially convenient if you have an already open bottle of red wine that you haven’t finished off yet or if you want to have a glass of wine while cooking your meal as well. All you need to make canned spaghetti sauce taste better is a few tablespoons of red wine to really enhance the flavor.

Read More:

• Pesto Without Pine Nuts: 3 Tasty Recipes
• 7 Surprising Substitutes for Tomato in Any Recipe
• Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe: How to Make It Yourself

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Tags: Food Food Waste Guide Healthy Eating