How to Make Delicious Homemade Pasta Sauce Using Fresh Tomatoes and Mrs. Wages Seasoning

Creating a delicious pasta sauce from scratch can be an enriching and satisfying experience. If you have an abundance of fresh tomatoes and want to preserve their amazing flavor for another day, this guide is perfect for you. Using Mrs. Wages Pasta Seasoning, you’ll learn how to turn fresh produce into a delightful sauce that’s perfect for spaghetti or pizza.

Preparing the Tomatoes

Gather Your Ingredients

To start, gather the following:

• Fresh tomatoes (approximately 6 lbs.)
• Mrs. Wages Pasta Seasoning packet
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• Vinegar (for cleaning jar rims)

Tomato Preparation

1. Skinning the Tomatoes:
   Begin by preparing your fresh tomatoes. The goal is to remove their skins, which can be done efficiently by roasting them. Place your tomatoes in a large roasting pan lined with foil pans, and gently heat them. This method is significantly easier than the traditional water bath technique.
2. Quarter and Core:
   After removing the skins, quarter your tomatoes and core them. This will help ensure a smoother sauce.
3. Cook Down:
   Transfer the tomatoes to a large pot and cook them down. Use an immersion blender for a consistent texture.

Creating the Sauce

Mixing Ingredients

• Sweeten the Sauce:
  Once the tomatoes are cooked down, add 1/4 cup of sugar to balance their acidity.
• Flavor with Seasoning:
  Stir in Mrs. Wages Pasta Seasoning packet. These packets are designed specifically to enhance the tomato base with classic Italian flavors, turning your fresh sauce into an authentic pasta delight.

Simmer to Perfection

Simmer the sauce at a gentle heat, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. If you’re making a small batch, your sauce may be ready to serve. However, for larger batches, follow along to learn how to can and preserve your creation.

Canning the Sauce

Prepare for Canning

• Organize Your Equipment:
  Before canning, gather water bath canners, jars (quart or pint-sized), and superb lids like the Azure standard jars and lids, known for their durability.
• Fill the Jars:
  Carefully ladle your hot sauce into the jars, leaving about one inch of headspace. This will allow for proper expansion and sealing during the canning process.

Water Bath Canning

• Process in the Canner:
  Ensure your jars are properly sealed with superb lids and place them in the water bath canner. For pint-sized jars. Remember: process for 40 minutes, and for quart-sized jars, process for 45 minutes.
• Cooling Down:
  After processing, allow the jars to cool slowly inside the canner before removing them. Let them rest for another 12 to 24 hours.

Final Steps

• Check the Seal:
  Once cooled, remove the bands and check the lids. If they are securely sealed, your sauce is ready to store.
• Store Properly:
  Store your canned pasta sauce in a cool, dark place. When ready to use, simply open a jar and enjoy your homemade sauce with any pasta or dish of your choice.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Use Quality Jars:
  If available, opt for Azure standard jars, which provide more durability compared to other brands like Ball jars.
• Maintain Cleanliness:
  Always wipe the rims of your jars with vinegar before sealing to ensure a clean environment and a good seal.
• Reuse with Care:
  Consider using reusable superb lids to reduce waste and additional expenses.

Canner: https://amzn.to/3WKmBmt (much cheaper at Walmart)

Canning Kit: https://amzn.to/3nrwO9L

Organic Distilled White Vinegar: https://amzn.to/3NV988q

Mrs. Wages: https://amzn.to/4fGrSEs

Azure Standard Canning Jars and lids found here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=4f458cfbd1

With these steps, you’ll not only have a flavorful homemade pasta sauce but also preserve the essence of fresh tomatoes for months to come. Follow this guide to make the most of your ingredients and enjoy the delightful taste of homemade sauce anytime! For reference, this recipe was tripled in this video.