How Long Does It Take to Process Spaghetti Sauce in A Pressure Canner?

How Long Does It Take to Process Spaghetti Sauce in a Pressure Canner

For some time, we have been receiving a lot of questions about canning spaghetti sauce. Now, we have decided to answer some of the questions. Hence, here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about canning spaghetti sauce.

This article explains how long it takes to can a spaghetti sauce in a pressure canner. Although the time is included in its recipe, we’ll give you a general idea.

How Long does it Take to Can Spaghetti Sauce in A Pressure Canner?

From the moment you put the jars of sauce into your pressure canner and remove it from the stove, it should take about 25 to 30 minutes. However, you need to follow the recipe.

Remember that the canner will vent the steam away for about 15 minutes before pressure begins to build up. The 15 minutes is not included in the 30 minutes mentioned above.

In short, to can spaghetti sauce in a pressure canner, you need 15 minutes of venting time and 30 minutes of pressurizing. In all, it takes 45 minutes to can spaghetti sauce in a pressure canner.

Does spaghetti sauce need to be pressure canned?

Yes, it is a good idea to can your spaghetti sauce in some jars to preserve it. That way, you can quickly prepare your spaghetti meal. It takes a pretty long time to prepare the sauce. So, it is better to prepare it in large quantity at once. Then, you’ll can it in jars. You can bring out one or two jars whenever you want some delicious sauce, and in a few minutes, your meal is ready.

Can you can spaghetti sauce in a water bath canner?

Yes, it is possible to can spaghetti sauce in a water bath canner and we’ll discuss the steps to follow now. Before you start the process, you need to sterilize the jars, lids, rings, and funnel. A simple way to sterilize them is to leave them in boiling water for about half an hour. After that, you can remove and wipe them with a clean towel.

Step 1 – Heat up your homemade marinara in the oven for about 5 hours.

Step 2 – Fill the jars with the marinara until you exhaust all of them. Don’t forget to leave a space of a ¼ inch at the top of each jar. Remember, the sauce will rise while being canned. Place a seal and ring each of the jars. You could use a tightener.

Step 3 – Fill the water bath with water until it is ¾ full. Heat the water until it starts boiling.

Step 4 – Place the jars of sauce in the water bath one by one and leave them in the boiling water for about 45 – 60 minutes. Ensure the jars are submerged in water.

Step 5 – After about 60 minutes, remove the jars and let them sit for 12 hours. All of them should make a pop sound within 12 hours. Store the jars that make the pop sound. Any jar that does not make the sound has been incorrectly sealed. It won’t last on the shelf, so you can eat it up quickly.

That’s it!

Do you add lemon juice to pressure canning spaghetti sauce?

Yes, it is necessary to add a little bit of lemon juice before caning your spaghetti sauce. This is because the juice brings out a nice flavor and makes the sauce even tastier. However, the juice should not be added in excess. A few spoons of lemon juice should be enough to bring out the best taste in the sauce.

What happens if you forget to put lemon juice in canned spaghetti sauce?

We understand that it is possible for anyone to forget to add a little bit of lemon juice to their spaghetti sauce before canning it. If you forget to add it to your sauce, there’s no problem. It won’t render the sauce inedible. Without lemon juice, your spaghetti sauce may not be as tasty as it should be. Your guests or kids may notice the difference and let you know.

To avoid situations like that, we will advise you to put all the items and ingredients you need together before you start the process. That way, you won’t forget to add any ingredients.

How can I thicken my spaghetti sauce for canning?

If your sauce is not thick enough, it won’t stick to the spaghetti, and this will affect the taste of the entire meal. If you notice that your sauce is not as thick as you want it, don’t panic. You can still salvage the situation. Here are a few ways to thicken your spaghetti sauce.

Method 1 – Cook the sauce on low heat and let it simmer for about 20 – 30 minutes. Keep stirring it while it simmers to prevent it from burning. As you stir it, you’ll observe that it is getting thicker. The excess liquid will dry off gradually.

Method 2 – Add more tomato sauce to your spaghetti sauce and heat it further. This will not alter the taste of your spaghetti sauce. However, you may end up with more spaghetti sauce than you planned for. That’s not a problem. You’ll have to add more canning jars to the equation.

Method 3 – Add cornstarch. Mix the same quantity of cornstarch with the same quantity of water together. And add the mixture slowly into your spaghetti sauce. Keep stirring as you add it. Stop when it’s thick enough. You can then heat it up.

Final Word

To wrap this up, the best answer for the question above is 45 minutes. It is 15 minutes of venting and 30 minutes of pressurizing. Also, remember that some pressure canners are faster than others.

So, the figure could vary slightly from yours. That’s why we’ll advise you to follow the recipes that came with your canner. Finally, the figure may also change with a tremendous change in the altitude of your location.

June Brandt
Latest posts by June Brandt (see all)