How to Can Spaghetti Sauce
Homemade spaghetti sauce preserved for quick weeknight dinners.
The Short Answer
Plain tomato spaghetti sauce can be water bath canned with lemon juice. Meat sauce must be pressure canned. Process times vary by recipe.
Canning Method at a Glance
Source: USDA NCHFP | Last verified: March 30, 2026
Water Bath Canning Spaghetti Sauce
Water bath only for plain tomato sauce with lemon juice.
Headspace: 0.5 inches
Pressure Canning Spaghetti Sauce
Required for sauce with meat.
Headspace: 1 inch
Step-by-Step: Canning Spaghetti Sauce
- Prepare sauce per tested canning recipe.
- For meatless: follow tomato sauce guidelines with lemon juice.
- For meat: brown meat, drain fat, combine, and simmer.
- Ladle into hot jars. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, apply lids.
Can a basic sauce safely, then add fresh mushrooms, olives, and extras when you heat it up. A pantry of plain sauce is a pantry of infinite dinner options.
Safety Notes
Important: Method depends on ingredients. Plain tomato with lemon juice: water bath. With meat: pressure. Do not modify tested recipes.
The Bottom Line
Spaghetti Sauce can be canned using either a water bath or pressure canner. 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
Yes, but meat sauce must be pressure canned using a tested recipe with longer processing times (60-70 minutes).