Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of bottling summer sunshine and savoring it all year long, Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe is about to become your new kitchen treasure. This recipe is my go-to method for transforming a bushel of ripe tomatoes into jars of bright, flavorful sauce that’s incredibly versatile. Whether ladled over fresh pasta, spooned onto homemade pizza, or simmered into hearty stews, this sauce delivers unforgettable homemade flavor and deep, satisfying richness. One taste, and you’ll see why it’s Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

At first glance, the ingredients for Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe might seem simple, but that’s exactly the magic here. Quality produce and a few pantry staples each play a key role in building depth, sweetness, acidity, and color for the most memorable jarred sauce you’ll ever make.

• Tomatoes (45 pounds): Heirloom or Roma tomatoes are perfect; their vibrant flavor forms the heart and soul of the sauce.
• Chopped onions (6 cups): Processed for speed but big on punch—these add sweet, savory aroma and texture.
• Garlic cloves, minced (12): Garlic infuses each bite with gentle heat and complexity.
• Olive oil (1/4 cup): Choose your favorite for fruitiness and a silky, glossy finish.
• Ground black pepper (1 tablespoon): A must for balancing sweetness with subtle warmth.
• Brown sugar (2 tablespoons, more to taste): Adds depth and tames any tartness in the tomatoes.
• Coarse sea salt (¼ cup, more to taste): Season generously to highlight all the other flavors.
• Bottled lemon juice (2 tablespoons per quart jar): Essential for safe canning and a pop of bright acidity.
• A water bath canner: The classic, trustworthy tool needed to preserve your hard work.

How to Make Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Tomatoes

Start with the best tomatoes you can find—firm, ripe, and deeply red. Rinse them thoroughly, trim off the ends and any blemishes, then quarter each one. To make the sauce smooth and pleasant, gently run your fingers through each piece to scoop out the watery seeds and juices. If your kitchen feels like a tomato festival, grab your trusty food processor or blender to puree them. For a little shortcut, a food mill is pure gold—you can skip seeding and just let the machine turn tomato halves into a silken base, saving you lots of time and effort.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Next, grab your largest sturdy pot and heat up that olive oil until shimmering. Pile in the onions and garlic, stirring often until the onions turn beautifully translucent and soft, and the kitchen fills with mellow sweetness. This base sets the stage for every jar of Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe, locking in layers of flavor from the very beginning.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Pour in the pureed tomatoes, then stir in the pepper, brown sugar, and sea salt. Bring everything to a steady simmer and prepare to be patient—this is where the magic happens! Let the sauce bubble gently, stirring now and then, and let the volume reduce by half as the flavors concentrate. Depending on how juicy your tomatoes are, this can take three to five hours, but the end result is always worth the wait.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Here’s where Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe truly becomes your own. Dip in a spoon, taste, and adjust the sugar and salt as needed. Every tomato crop is different, so trust your palette! While it’s tempting to toss in more onions or garlic, resist the urge—these ratios keep your sauce delicious and safe for canning. Want a different flavor profile? Add more herbs to suit your mood, but leave the foundation as is.

Step 5: Prepare Jars and Add Lemon Juice

When the sauce has thickened gloriously and tastes just right, it’s time to prep your jars. For safe canning, pour 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice into each quart jar (or 1 tablespoon for pint jars). This crucial step ensures the correct acidity for long-term storage—don’t skip it!

Step 6: Fill and Process the Jars

Ladle the hot sauce into jars, making sure to leave half an inch of headspace at the top. Wipe any drips off the jar rims, seal tightly, and gently lower them into your hot water bath canner. Once the canner water returns to a rolling boil, start your timer: process pints for 35 minutes and quarts for 40 minutes. If you live at higher altitude, remember to adjust your timing accordingly for safety.

Step 7: Cool, Store, and Celebrate!

Carefully remove the hot jars and let them cool undisturbed. Listen for that satisfying pop as they seal—a sign of canning success! Once cooled, check the seals, wipe the jars, and stash them somewhere cool and dark. With Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe on your shelf, you’ll have a meal starter and flavor boost ready for any weeknight dinner or foodie adventure.

How to Serve Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

The finishing touches elevate every meal, and this sauce is no exception! Fresh basil leaves, shavings of Parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of fragrant olive oil take each spoonful from simple to glorious. For a rustic kick, scatter some crushed red pepper on top when serving over pasta.

Side Dishes

This sauce pairs perfectly with any comfort food. Ladle it over spaghetti, spoon it next to hearty meatballs, or mop it up with a thick slice of crusty sourdough bread. For a lighter option, use it as a dipping sauce for roasted veggies or swirl it into your favorite bean soup.

Creative Ways to Present

Don’t just think pasta! Pour Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe onto homemade pizza dough, layer it in a hearty lasagna, or spoon it over polenta for Italian comfort in a bowl. You can stir in a handful of herbs for a different twist, or spice it up with chili powder and cumin for an instant Mexican-style sauce. The possibilities really are endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once you’ve popped the seal on a jar, store any remaining sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week. Make sure to label your container so you remember how recently you opened it!

Freezing

If you want to save extra sauce for even longer, freezing is a fantastic option. Simply transfer cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags, seal well, and lay flat in the freezer for easy stacking. It will keep for up to 6 months with flavor and color beautifully preserved.

Reheating

Reheating is effortless. Pour the sauce into a saucepan and warm gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. You can even microwave it, covered and stirred halfway, if you’re in a hurry—just be sure to use a microwave-safe dish with a loose lid to avoid splatters.

FAQs

Can I use different types of tomatoes?

Absolutely! While plum and Roma tomatoes make a thicker sauce, heirloom or beefsteak varieties add amazing depth and sweet-tart complexity. Just adjust simmer time for juicier varieties, and always taste as you go.

Why is adding lemon juice important in Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe?

Bottled lemon juice guarantees the right level of acidity, which is essential for safe water bath canning. It prevents spoilage and ensures you can enjoy your homemade sauce worry-free for months to come.

Can I double or halve the recipe?

You can certainly scale the recipe down (or up!) to match your harvest or kitchen size. Just keep the ratios the same, especially with onions and garlic, to make sure the sauce remains safe and delicious for canning.

What if I don’t have a food mill?

No worries! While a food mill makes the job quicker, especially with big batches, a blender or food processor will do the trick. Just deseed and chop your tomatoes before blending, and the result will still be fantastic.

Is this sauce good for recipes other than pasta?

Definitely! Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe is a staple in my kitchen—not just for pasta, but as a pizza base, in casseroles, soup starters, or wherever you want a boost of rich, homemade tomato goodness.

Final Thoughts

If you love delicious homemade meals and the idea of preserving summer’s harvest, there’s simply nothing better than Jill’s Favorite Canned Tomato Sauce Recipe. This sauce brings unbeatable flavor and versatility to your kitchen all year long. Give it a try—your pantry and your taste buds will thank you!

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