Preserve fresh tomatoes with this easy, homemade canned spaghetti sauce recipe! Juicy tomatoes, crisp peppers, and a perfect blend of herbs come together for a rich, hearty sauce you'll love all year long.
If you enjoy this recipe, try my homemade canned diced tomatoes or canned tomato sauce next!
📢 Important: This is my most updated version for 2026, fully tested and compliant with the latest home canning guidelines for safe water bath canning.
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Summer means a greenhouse full of tomatoes, peppers, and jalapenos, essential to making my Homemade Canned Salsa and Small Batch Canned Cowboy Candy.
Harvest season is busy with preserving veggies, but the reward comes in winter when I open a jar of homemade spaghetti sauce and add it to cooked ground beef to make my Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese or Rigatoni Al Forno With Italian Sausage.
Store-bought sauces don't even come close to the taste of homemade canned tomato sauce. I've perfected this recipe over the last six years, and it's definitely worth putting in the effort. (Love home canning? You may also be interested in reading How to Can Tomatoes).
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- What Readers on Pinterest are Saying:
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Equipment
- How to Make Homemade Canned Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes
- Step-By-Step Instructions
- Pro Tips for the Best Canned Spaghetti Sauce
- Variations
- Storage Instructions
- Recipe FAQs
- More Easy Canning Recipes to Try
- Printable Recipe
- Comments
Why You'll Love This Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- Fresh flavor you can taste
- No preservatives or additives
- Saves money on store-bought sauce
- Customizable thickness and sweetness
- Easy beginner water bath canning recipe
What Readers on Pinterest are Saying:
These are just 4 out of the 20 comments on this one pin:
- Came out great! I cut down on sugar slightly but very good recipe overall. - Desiree
- I added a few things like fresh basil, and little bit more of salt and sugar, but overall the base of the recipe was perfect! It made 5 quarts. Everything sealed, and we are ready to go. Thank you! - Allison
- Super happy with how it turned out… 4 big jars . Omitted sugar. Used heirloom, big reds, and champion tomatoes, fresh basil from garden and garlic … Came out great! - AD
- This is a great recipe dbl it 🙂 - Kim
Ingredients You'll Need
- Tomatoes. I used fresh garden tomatoes. They were beefsteak and Roma tomatoes, but you can use any type of tomato. You can even use a combination of yellow tomatoes, Beefsteak tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes.
- Onion. I used red onion, but you can also use yellow onion or white onions.
- Bell peppers. I used fresh bell peppers. I used a variety of green peppers, orange, red, and yellow peppers.
- Garlic. I used fresh garlic for the best flavor. I like to run it through the food processor with the peppers or onions to chop it quickly.
- Sugar. Some readers found the sauce too sweet. If your tomatoes are sweet, you can omit the sugar entirely, or start with ¼ cup and increase it to 1 cup.
- Lemon Juice ensures safe acidity for water bath canning. Always use bottled lemon juice, not fresh, because bottled is standardized to 5% acidity for canning. You can use 4 tablespoons of white vinegar (5% acidity) per quart jar instead, but the sauce will be tangier.
- Seasoning: I used a combination of Italian seasoning, oregano, sea salt, garlic cloves, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. I find that fresh herbs sometimes discolor, but some of my readers used fresh basil and were very happy with the results.
The printable recipe card below provides exact measurements and a complete list of ingredients.
*If you want a spicier sauce, add 3-4 jalapeno peppers - and leave the seeds in if you want it really spicy!
Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need:
- Large Pot for cooking the sauce.
- Canning Jars: Use mason jars with snap lids and screw caps. Quart jars work well, but pint jars are great if you want smaller portions.
- Jar Lifter: These specially designed, long-handled tongs make it easy to handle hot jars.
- Canning Funnel: A funnel with a wide opening makes filling the jars easier and helps keep the mess down.
- Water Bath Canner: This sizable pot, equipped with a rack, is needed for the final canning step.
How to Make Homemade Canned Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes
This recipe makes about 7 quarts or 14 pints.
Quick Overview
- Wash and prepare fresh tomatoes (peel if you like).
- Pulse tomatoes, onions, peppers, and garlic in a food processor.
- Simmer sauce with seasonings for 1 hour until thickened.
- Add 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice to each hot quart jar (or 1 tablespoon to each pint).
- Fill jars with hot sauce, leaving ½ inch headspace.
- Water bath can for 40 minutes (quarts) or 35 minutes (pints).
👉 Always follow safe canning practices! Full step-by-step instructions below.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Wash and Prep the Tomatoes
Thoroughly wash the tomatoes and remove the stems. If you want to remove the skins, cut an "X" on the bottom of each tomato. Blanch in a large pot of boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then immediately transfer to an ice water bath with a slotted spoon. Peel off the skins with your fingers or a paring knife, then core and cut in quarters or halves (for more petite tomatoes). As you may know, I like to do things the easy way, so I never remove the skins. But it is completely up to you.
Step 2: Blend Tomatoes and Vegetables
Working in batches, pulse tomatoes in a blender or food processor until smooth with a bit of chunkiness. Add to a large pot. Dice or pulse the onions, bell peppers, and garlic too.
Pro Tip: If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend longer or use an immersion blender after simmering.
Step 3: Cook the Sauce
Transfer all blended tomatoes, onions, peppers, and garlic to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Add Italian seasoning, dried oregano, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then lower to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened to your liking. Taste the sauce and add ¼ to 1 cup sugar based on your tomatoes' sweetness.
Step 4: Prepare Canning Equipment
Wash jars and lids with hot, soapy water and rinse well. Sterilize the jars upside down in the rack of your canner in boiling water for 10 minutes. Keep jars hot until ready to use (in the canner with hot water or the dishwasher). Use a jar lifter to remove them. Keep lids in hot (not boiling) water until ready.
Step 5: Add Acid to Jars
Before filling, add acid directly to the empty jars:
- For quarts: Add 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice to each hot jar.
- For pints: Add 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice to each hot jar.
(or use ½ teaspoon citric acid per quart if preferred) This ensures the sauce is safely acidic enough for water bath canning.
Step 6: Fill Jars
Place a wide-opening canning funnel on the jars. Ladle the hot tomato sauce into the hot jars, leaving a ½-inch headspace at the top to allow for expansion. Use a non-metallic spatula to remove any air bubbles.
Wipe the rims with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue. Center the sterilized lids on each jar and screw the band on fingertip-tight.
Step 7: Process in Water Bath Canner
Place the jars upright on the rack inside the canner. Carefully lower the rack down. Make sure jars are covered by at least 1-2 inches of water. Make sure they are not touching each other. Cover the canner with a lid and bring the water to a full rolling boil. Once boiling, start timing:
- Process quarts for 40 minutes
- Process pints for 35 minutes
(Adjust for altitude: Add 5 minutes for 1,001-3,000 ft, 10 minutes for 3,001-6,000 ft, and 15 minutes for above 6,000 ft.)
Maintain a steady boil the entire processing time!
Step 8: Cool the Jars and Check Seals
Turn off the heat once the timer goes off. Let the canner sit for 5 minutes. Carefully lift up the rack and lift jars out with a jar lifter. Place hot jars upright on a towel-lined counter. Cool at room temperature for 24 hours. You will hear a "pop" as the jars seal.
After 24 hours, check if each jar is sealed by pressing the center of each lid. If it doesn't flex, the jar is sealed. If a jar didn't seal, refrigerate it and use it within 5-7 days. Label the jars with the contents and date. Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
Pro Tips for the Best Canned Spaghetti Sauce
- Roma and San Marzano tomatoes will make a thicker sauce.
- Always add bottled lemon juice (or vinegar) for safe acidity.
- Simmer uncovered to concentrate flavors and thicken.
- Do not add meat - this is for water bath canning only.
- For detailed information about home canning, refer to the National Center for Home Food Preservation guide or my canning eBook.
Variations
- Spicy: Add chili flakes or fresh jalapenos to your sauce to add some heat.
- Roasted: Instead of using fresh tomatoes, roast them in the oven beforehand for a deeper flavor. Cut the tomatoes in half, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast at 400°F until soft and slightly charred.
Storage Instructions
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
- Refrigerate opened jars and use within 5-7 days.
- For freezing: Transfer cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can reduce or even omit the sugar according to your taste preference.
The processing time in the water bath canner remains the same regardless of batch size. Process quart jars for 40 minutes and pint jars for 35 minutes.
It's safer to cook the sauce longer to reduce and thicken it naturally. Adding tomato paste can alter the recipe's acidity and affect its safety for water bath canning. When you open a jar of spaghetti sauce to use, you can add tomato paste to thicken it if you like.
Yes, you can double the ingredients, but simmer in a larger pot and allow extra time for thickening.
No, adding meat would require pressure canning.
More Easy Canning Recipes to Try
Printable Recipe
Homemade Canned Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients:
- 15 pounds ripe tomatoes, quartered (peeled if desired) (about 45-50 medium tomatoes)
- 3 cups onion, thinly diced (about 1-2 large onions)
- 3 cups bell peppers, thinly diced (about 3 large peppers)
- ¼-1 cup white sugar (adjust to taste)
- 6 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic cloves, minced (about 4-6 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
Per Jar Acid Addition:
- For each quart jar: 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice (or ½ teaspoon citric acid)
- For each pint jar: 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice (or ¼ teaspoon citric acid)
Instructions
- Prep Tomatoes: Wash tomatoes and remove stems. Decide whether to peel them or not; it's up to you. If peeling, prepare an ice bath. Score an "X" on the bottom of the tomatoes. Blanch for 30-60 seconds in a large pot of boiling water. Transfer to an ice bath with a slotted spoon to cool. Peel the skin away from the "X" upwards. Cut tomatoes into quarters or halves (for smaller tomatoes). Working in batches, pulse tomatoes in a blender or food processor until mostly smooth but still slightly chunky. Transfer to a large pot.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir in Italian seasoning, dried oregano, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Cook the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring every 15-20 minutes to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken; if it's still watery after an hour, continue simmering until the sauce mounds on a spoon and doesn't separate easily. Taste the sauce and add ¼ to 1 cup sugar, depending on desired sweetness. (I always use 1 cup, but some readers found it too sweet and preferred half the amount or omitted it altogether). Optional: Use an immersion blender for a smoother sauce if you like.
- Prepare Canning Equipment: While the sauce is simmering, wash jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water. Rinse well. Place jars upside down on a rack in a boiling water canner and heat the water to 180°F. Keep jars hot until ready to use. You can also sterilize them in the dishwasher and keep them hot until ready to use. Place lids in a small saucepan of hot (not boiling) water to soften the seals.
- Add Acid + Fill Jars: Add 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice to each hot quart jar (or 1 tablespoon per pint jar) before filling. Using a funnel, ladle hot sauce into jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles using a bubble remover tool or a rubber spatula. Wipe the jar rim with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal. Center a lid on the jar and apply a band, tightening until fingertip-tight. Repeat until all jars are filled.
- Process Jars: Place filled jars into the water bath canner, covering them with at least 1-2 inches of water. Make sure they are not touching each other. Cover the canner with a lid and bring the water to a full rolling boil. Start a timer once the water is boiling: Process quart jars for 40 minutes or pint jars for 35 minutes. Maintain a full boil throughout the processing time. (For altitude adjustments, see the Notes section below.)
- Cool and Store: When the processing time is complete, turn off the heat and remove the canner lid. Carefully lift up the rack of jars. Using a jar lifter, remove each jar and place it on a towel-lined counter. Cool the jars, undisturbed, for 24 hours. After 24 hours, check for proper seals - lids should not flex when pressed in the center. Label jars with the contents and date.
- Storage: Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year. Refrigerate any jars that did not seal properly. Use opened jars within 5-7 days for best quality.
Video
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Notes
Altitude Adjustments:
- 1,001-3,000 ft: add 5 minutes
- 3,001-6,000 ft: add 10 minutes
- Above 6,000 ft: add 15 minutes
- Do not skip the bottled lemon juice or citric acid - it's required for safe water bath canning.
- You may reduce or omit the sugar, but do not change the tomato-to-acid ratio.
- Roma or San Marzano tomatoes will make a thicker sauce.
- If you're new to canning, consider reading this comprehensive canning guide for additional safety information.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
📢 Important Update (2026):
This recipe was updated in 2026 to follow current safe canning guidelines from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. I have changed the recipe so that each quart jar needs 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice (or ½ teaspoon citric acid) added before filling. This small change ensures proper acidity for safe water bath canning without altering the delicious flavor!
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Kelsey says
Wanna make this soon but all I have is frozen tomatoes… will that work?
Jeri Walker says
Hi Kelsey. Yes, you can use frozen tomatoes. Just thaw them first and drain them really well before adding them to the pot. If the sauce is a bit thin, just simmer it a little longer to cook it down. 😊
Brandy says
First time canning spaghetti sauce. I used all my frozen tomatoes from last summer. it made 6 quarts. and a small jar i didn't can. Will use on chops tomorrow 😋. Thank for the recipe .
Jeri Walker says
That's awesome Brandy! Congrats on your first batch of canned spaghetti sauce! Using frozen tomatoes works so well, and I love that you already found a use for the extra jar. Chops are going to be happy tomorrow! Thanks so much for coming back to share how it turned out! 😄
Denise says
thank you for the recipe. we tried it today and love it. I only used maybe half cup of sugar. Next time I think I will go even less. My husband and I were trying to figure out though what it was missing soI read the comment below. I added a touch of cinnamon and boom, it's perfect.
Jeri Walker says
Thanks so much Denise, I'm glad you and your husband enjoyed it! I also love how you cut back the sugar and added a little cinnamon, such a great tweak! 🙂
Chris Campbell says
I added a qt. of chicken broth before I started cooking the sauce because I didn't want the vegetables to burn before the tomatoes could cook down. I didn't see any liquid in the recipe.
Jeri Walker says
Hi Chris. I don't add liquid because the tomatoes release plenty of juice as they cook. That's why the recipe calls for simmering for at least an hour - to let the vegetables soften and the sauce thicken as the extra liquid evaporates. You might be surprised how much liquid comes out of fresh tomatoes!
Diana says
Do you remove the seeds? Is there any issues with taste if not?
Jeri Walker says
I never remove the seeds - and its delicious! 🙂
Esther Shelley says
An Italian friend from my girlhood said the secret to very tasty T. sauce is adding cinnamon. You don't taste it but it makes the sauce tasted divine! I have changed it to pumpkin pie spice and it's even better. Also, she said to cook the sauce in a roasting pan in the oven over pork chops. You serve the pork chops for supper, but drain the sauce into jars and seal. Etc. I promise you, you won't regret it.
Jeri Walker says
I have heard that adding cinnamon is a game changer! Thanks for the tip!
Candise says
Love this recipe. I made 1/4 of the recipe and it turned out great.
Question tho, I know it says fresh tomatoes, but could a person use canned instead ?
Jeri Walker says
Thanks for trying the recipe Candise, I'm so glad you liked it! Yes, you can use canned tomatoes instead of fresh. You may need to decrease the cooking time and salt since canned tomatoes may have less moisture and added salt. I would appreciate it if you could let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Lisa Fuller says
I followed the recipe exactly. I used 1/4 cup of sugar. Excellent taste and consistency. Can't wait to make another batch!
Jeri Walker says
Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it! And thank you for coming back to leave a review! 🙂
Georgene A. Wilhelm says
My husband loved this sauce. I only used a 1/4 cup of sugar.
Jeri Walker says
Thank you for sharing, Georgene! Thrilled your husband loved it. ❤️ That's the beauty of homemade-you can make it just the way you like it! 🙂
Megan says
Can I roast all the tomatoes/onions/peppers instead? Then add everything to simmer together as per the recipe?
Jeri Walker says
Hi Megan! Yes, you can absolutely roast the vegetables before simmering! 🙂
Candee Chadwick says
Made this sauce today, excellent, hubs loved it. I added a pinch of cinnamon to the sauce, excellent idea. canned about 4 quart size jars. We cannot wait for next sauce night.
thank you for the recipe❤️
Jeri Walker says
Thank you so much Candee! I'm so glad you both loved it! Enjoy the sauce! 🙂