Storing Homemade Marinara Sauce

Nothing really tastes better on pizza or pasta than a good old fashioned marinara sauce. However, what do you do when you make more than you need, or you find yourself with a few leftovers? The answer is you save it. There are several methods that you can use when storing homemade marinara sauce, all of which will work wonders. The main question that you have to ask yourself is; do you want to store it for only a few days to a week, or do you want to store it longer? Take a look at these great options for storing homemade marinara sauce to give you an idea of what you can do.

• Tupperware. Using plastic containers, such as Tupperware, is a great way to save and store homemade marinara sauce. This option has a few benefits, such as the container won't rip, or shatter and holds up well when frozen. In addition, plastic containers such as Tupperware are also stackable, which can be an immense help with limited freezer space. Another benefit of using plastic containers such as Tupperware is that they can work as both a long term, and a short term solution. This means that you can use them to either freeze the marinara sauce, or you can chill it in your refrigerator.
• Freezer bags. An inexpensive alternative to plastic containers, freezer bags are another great option that you can use to begin storing homemade marinara sauce. Freezer bags are usually less expensive than plastic containers, can be found at any grocery store, and take up less space when not being used. Another great benefit from using a freezer bag when storing marinara or pasta sauce is that the bag will flatten out, which means that it takes up even less room than the plastic containers. In addition to this, freezer bags can also stretch a little bit which is a plus when you accidentally fill one up too far. This is a long range freezing option, and should not be used as a temporary solution, since the bag can be easily torn when the sauce is still liquid.
• Mason jars. Using some mason jars, or other types of sealable glass jars, is another way that you can store your homemade marinara sauce. If you are going to freeze the containers, be sure that you leave at least an inch of free space near the top of the jar to allow for expansion. However, this method is usually best used for temporary storage only. In this case temporary means two to three weeks in the refrigerator. Mason and other types of glass jars can be easily found at most grocery or department stores.
• Canning. Perhaps the best, and most effective, long term solution for storing homemade marinara sauce is to "can' it. Canning has long been a way to preserve homemade foods, and when done properly can indefinitely lengthen the storage life of your sauces. Canning can be a rather involved process though, and typically takes a lot of time on your part. Canning jars can be purchased at food storage companies, as well as at grocery and department stores. Simply put, canning will require quick heating and capping of the jars to form a tight seal against the environment at large. When done properly, canned food will not require any chilling or special storage needs all you need to do is stick it in your pantry.