How to Can Spaghetti Sauce with Meat: A Delicious and Convenient Meal Prep
Who doesn't love a hearty bowl of spaghetti with a rich, flavorful sauce? But what if you could have that same deliciousness ready to go in just a few minutes, any night of the week? That's where canning spaghetti sauce with meat comes in!
This method allows you to preserve the flavors of homemade sauce, while also offering the convenience of having a ready-to-eat meal on hand.
Why Can Spaghetti Sauce with Meat?
- Fresh, homemade taste: You control the ingredients and spices, ensuring a flavor profile that you love.
- Cost-effective: Canning your own sauce can be significantly cheaper than buying pre-made jars.
- Convenience: Having canned sauce on hand means dinner is ready in a flash.
- Versatile: Use the canned sauce as a base for various dishes, like lasagna, stuffed peppers, or even as a topping for pizza.
What You'll Need:
- A pressure canner: This is essential for safe canning.
- Jars and lids: Use clean, sterilized jars with new lids.
- A large pot: For preparing the sauce.
- Ingredients: See recipe below.
Recipe for Canned Spaghetti Sauce with Meat
Yields: 8-10 pints Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 1 hour Canning time: 75 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine the sauce ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the jars: Wash and sterilize the jars and lids.
- Fill the jars: Ladle the hot sauce into the jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any spills.
- Process in a pressure canner: Place the filled jars in the pressure canner. Add enough water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for processing time. For pints, it will typically be around 75 minutes at 10 pounds of pressure.
- Cool and store: After processing, carefully remove the jars from the pressure canner and let cool completely. Once cool, check for seals. Properly sealed jars will have a concave lid. Store in a cool, dark place.
Tips for Success:
- Use fresh ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh ingredients whenever possible.
- Adjust the spices: Feel free to customize the spices to your liking.
- Test the sauce: Before canning, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Use a pressure canner: It's crucial to use a pressure canner to ensure safe processing and prevent botulism.
- Follow instructions carefully: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific pressure canner.
Enjoy your homemade canned spaghetti sauce with meat! This versatile recipe will be a delicious addition to your pantry and make dinner nights much easier.
