🍝 Spaghetti in a Jar
A Rebel's Quick Lunch or Snack!
📌 In This Article
🍝 The Spaghetti Story
"I made spaghetti in a jar for a quick lunch or snack....got so much crap on another site, say it was not safe to can pasta...I am still alive! Just saying."
Spaghetti in a jar is one of those game-changing meal-in-a-jar recipes. It's quick, easy, and perfect for those days when you need lunch or a snack in a hurry. Just open a jar, heat it up, and enjoy.
But apparently, some people don't agree. I got so much crap on another site for canning pasta. They said it wasn't safe. Well, I'm still alive! Just saying.
💬 The reality: "Got so much crap on another site, saying it was not safe to can pasta... I am still alive! Just saying."
🤘 The Rebel Spirit
I'm Still Alive!
🍝"Got so much crap on another site, saying it was not safe to can pasta... I am still alive! Just saying."
Spaghetti in a jar = pure rebel success!
💬 The rebel spirit: "I am still alive! Just saying."
⚠️ A Note on Safety
While many people successfully can pasta dishes, it's important to follow tested, USDA-approved recipes for safety. Pasta can be safely canned when combined with enough liquid and processed correctly in a pressure canner. Always use tested recipes and follow proper procedures.
If you're new to canning pasta, start with a tested recipe from a reputable source like the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
📦 Ingredients
🍝 For the Spaghetti
- 🍝 1 lb spaghetti noodles – Broken into 2-3 inch pieces
- 🥩 1 lb ground beef – Optional
- 🧅 1 large onion – Diced
- 🧄 4 cloves garlic – Minced
- 🍅 2 jars (24 oz each) pasta sauce
- 🍅 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 🍅 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 🌿 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 🧂 1 tbsp salt
- 🌿 1 tsp black pepper
- 🍬 1 tsp sugar – Optional
💡 Pro tip: "Break the spaghetti into small pieces so it fits easily into the jars."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare Your Equipment
- Prepare your pressure canner, jars, and lids.
- Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Keep jars hot until ready to fill.
💡 Pro tip: "Use wide-mouth pint jars — they're easier to fill!"
Step 2 – Make the Meat Sauce
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic (if using).
- Drain excess fat.
- Add pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes until thickened.
💡 Pro tip: "The sauce should be thick — it will thin out slightly during canning."
Step 3 – Cook the Spaghetti
- Cook the spaghetti noodles in boiling water until slightly undercooked (about 2 minutes less than package directions).
- Drain and set aside.
⚠️ Important: "Don't overcook the pasta — it will soften more during canning."
Step 4 – Fill the Jars
- Pack the cooked spaghetti into the hot jars.
- Fill jars about 2/3 full with pasta.
- Ladle the hot meat sauce over the spaghetti.
- Leave 1 inch headspace.
- Remove air bubbles with a bubble remover.
💡 Pro tip: "Don't overpack the jars — the pasta needs room to expand."
Step 5 – Seal and Process
- Wipe rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Add lids and rings — finger-tight.
- Pressure can at 10 lbs pressure for:
- Pints: 75 minutes
- Quarts: 90 minutes
- Adjust for altitude if necessary.
⚠️ Important Safety Warning
Spaghetti with meat sauce MUST be pressure canned. Water bath canning is NOT safe for meat and pasta. The temperature needs to reach 240°F to kill pathogens.
Follow USDA guidelines for canning pasta and meat dishes.
Step 6 – Cool and Store
- Allow pressure to naturally release to 0 PSI.
- Remove jars and cool on a dishtowel for 24 hours.
- Check seals — the lid should be concave and not flex.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
💡 Pro tip: "Listen for that satisfying 'pop' — that's the sound of a perfect seal!"
🍽️ How to Serve Your Spaghetti in a Jar
🔥 Reheating Instructions
- 🍳 Stovetop: Empty contents into a saucepan and heat until warmed through.
- 🔥 Microwave: Remove from jar and heat in a microwave-safe dish.
- 🍝 Quick Lunch: Perfect for a quick lunch or snack anytime!
💡 Pro tip: "Top with extra Parmesan cheese before serving!"
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- 🧀 Extra Cheese: Sprinkle with mozzarella or Parmesan
- 🥗 Side Salad: Serve with a fresh Caesar salad
- 🍞 Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up the sauce
- 🍷 Red Wine: Pair with a glass of Chianti
🥫 How to Store
- 🏠 Pantry: Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place
- 🧊 Refrigerator after opening: Use within 1 week
- 🔥 Reheat: Stovetop or microwave
💡 Pro tip: "Label your jars with the date so you know when they were canned."
💡 Pro Tips
- 🍝 Undercook the pasta: It will soften more during canning.
- 🍅 Thicken the sauce: A thicker sauce cans better and tastes richer.
- 📏 Leave headspace: 1 inch is essential for safety.
- 🫙 Use new lids: Old lids may not seal properly.
- 🏷️ Label everything: Date and contents on every jar.
- 🤘 Be a rebel: Make the meals you want!
- 😊 Ignore the naysayers: If you follow safe practices, you're good!
💡 Pro tip: "I am still alive! Just saying."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is it safe to can pasta?
Yes, when done properly with a tested recipe and pressure canning. Many people successfully can pasta dishes.
❓ Can I water bath can this?
NO! Spaghetti with meat sauce must be pressure canned.
❓ How long does canned spaghetti last?
Up to 1 year when properly pressure canned and stored.
❓ Do I need to cook the pasta first?
Yes, but undercook it slightly — it will soften during canning.
❓ Can I make this without meat?
Yes! Use a meatless sauce for a vegetarian version.
❓ Why do people say it's not safe?
Some people are overly cautious about canning pasta. As long as you follow tested recipes and pressure can properly, it's safe.
❓ How many jars does this make?
About 6-8 pints, depending on how full you pack them.
❓ Can I add other vegetables?
Yes! Mushrooms, peppers, or zucchini work great.
❓ Is this good for meal prep?
Yes! It's the ultimate meal prep — ready when you are.
❓ Will I ever buy canned spaghetti again?
Probably not! Homemade is so much better!
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ SPAGHETTI IN A JAR ║
║ A Rebel's Quick Lunch or Snack! ║
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YIELD: 6-8 pint jars | TIME: ~2 hours | PROCESS: 75 min
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INGREDIENTS
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- 1 lb spaghetti noodles (broken into 2-3 inch pieces)
- 1 lb ground beef (optional)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jars (24 oz) pasta sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Prepare pressure canner, jars, and lids.
2. Brown beef with onion and garlic (if using). Drain fat.
Add pasta sauce, tomatoes, paste, and seasonings.
Simmer 20-30 minutes.
3. Cook spaghetti until slightly undercooked.
Drain and set aside.
4. Pack cooked spaghetti into hot jars (about 2/3 full).
Ladle hot meat sauce over spaghetti. Leave 1" headspace.
5. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, add lids and rings.
6. PRESSURE CAN: Pints 75 minutes at 10 lbs pressure.
7. Cool, check seals, and store.
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STILL ALIVE! 🤘
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"Got so much crap on another site, saying it was
not safe to can pasta... I am still alive!
Just saying." ❤️
© CanningRebels — Spaghetti in a Jar
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