How to Can Pizza Sauce
Thick, seasoned pizza sauce for homemade pizza nights.
The Short Answer
Pizza sauce follows tomato sauce canning rules. Process pints for 35 minutes with lemon juice.
Canning Method at a Glance
Source: USDA NCHFP | Last verified: March 30, 2026
Water Bath Canning Pizza Sauce
Follow tomato sauce guidelines. Add lemon juice.
Headspace: 0.25 inches
Step-by-Step: Canning Pizza Sauce
- Cook tomatoes until soft. Press through food mill.
- Season with garlic, oregano, basil, salt.
- Simmer to desired thickness.
- Add lemon juice to jars. Ladle sauce in.
- Wipe rims, apply lids. Process in boiling water bath.
Do not cook down too far. Very thick sauces do not process safely. Keep slightly thinner than what you would spread on pizza. It thickens further on the hot pizza.
Safety Notes
Important: Same rules as tomato sauce. Add lemon juice. Plain tomato with herbs only.
The Bottom Line
Pizza Sauce can be safely canned in a boiling water bath. Always use tested recipes from the USDA, Ball, or university extension programs. Follow processing times exactly, and adjust for your altitude if you live above 1,000 feet. When in doubt about any canning procedure, consult the USDA National Center for Home Food Preservation at nchfp.uga.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep at pourable consistency. Extremely thick sauce does not heat evenly during processing.