🍝 Canned Spaghetti Dinners
As Quick as Boxed Mac & Cheese!
📌 In This Article
🍝 The Spaghetti Story
"5 jars of Spaghetti Dinners for my son! He goes thru these like crazy!!! Just as quick as making a box of Mac n cheese!"
If you have a teenager (or just a busy schedule), you know the value of a quick, filling meal. These Canned Spaghetti Dinners are the ultimate pantry hack.
Just like the famous Tortellini Alfredo in a Jar, the magic happens when you combine dry pasta with a rich, pre-made meat sauce. During the pressure canning process, the pasta cooks perfectly and absorbs all that delicious tomato and beef flavor.
When your kid is hungry, they don't have to wait for water to boil. They just pop open a jar, heat it up, and they have a hot, satisfying meal that tastes like it was just made on the stove. It's just as fast as boxed mac and cheese, but a hundred times better!
💬 The verdict: "He goes thru these like crazy!!!" — The ultimate teenage endorsement.
💪 Why Can Spaghetti Dinners?
Fast Food, Made at Home!
⚡"Just as quick as making a box of Mac n cheese!"
Zero Prep
No boiling water required
Complete Meal
Pasta and meat sauce
Shelf Stable
Ready when they are
The perfect solution for hungry kids and busy nights.
📦 Ingredients
This is a "rebel canning" method. You must use a pressure canner.
🍝 Per Pint Jar
- 🍝 2/3 cup dry spaghetti – broken into 1-2 inch pieces, or use macaroni/rotini
- 🥩 Pre-made meat sauce – enough to fill the jar, leaving 1 inch headspace. (Make sure any meat is fully cooked).
- 💧 Water – optional, to thin the sauce slightly if it's very thick
🫙 For the Jars
- 🫙 Pint jars
- 🧴 New lids and rings
💡 Pro tip: "If using regular long spaghetti noodles, break them into smaller pieces so they fit better in the jar and are easier to eat."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Fill the Jars
- Add 2/3 cup of dry pasta to the bottom of each clean, hot pint jar.
- Pour your pre-made meat sauce over the dry pasta.
- Fill to 1 inch headspace. (If the sauce is very thick, add a splash of water to ensure there is enough liquid for the pasta to absorb).
- Remove air bubbles with a bubble remover to ensure the sauce gets between the pasta pieces.
- Wipe rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Add lids and rings — finger-tight.
⚠️ Important: "Do NOT cook the pasta first. It must go in dry so it absorbs the liquid and cooks during the canning process."
Step 2 – Pressure Can
- Place jars in your pressure canner with 2-3 inches of water.
- Seal the canner and bring to 10 lbs pressure.
- Process pints for 45 minutes (adjust for altitude).
⚠️ Important Safety Warning
This is a rebel canning recipe. The USDA does not officially approve canning pasta. However, many home canners have successfully used this method for years. Always follow safe pressure canning procedures. If using a meat sauce, ensure the meat is fully cooked before canning.
Step 3 – 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.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is it safe to can pasta with meat sauce?
While not officially USDA approved, many experienced canners have done this successfully. The key is ensuring the meat in your sauce is fully cooked before it goes into the jar, and processing at 10 lbs pressure for 45 minutes to ensure the pasta is fully cooked and safe.
❓ Why did my pasta turn out mushy?
You may have used too much liquid in the sauce, or the pasta absorbed more than expected. Using a thick, hearty sauce helps prevent this. Also, avoid overcooking the pasta during the canning process.
❓ How do I serve it?
Open the jar, pour into a pot, and heat through. You may need to add a splash of water to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it right in the jar (remove the metal lid first!).
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ CANNED SPAGHETTI DINNERS ║
║ As Quick as Boxed Mac & Cheese! ║
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YIELD: 1 pint | TIME: ~1 hour | PROCESS: 45 min
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INGREDIENTS
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- 2/3 cup dry spaghetti (broken) or pasta
- Pre-made meat sauce (fully cooked)
- Water (optional)
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Place 2/3 cup dry pasta in each hot pint jar.
2. Pour sauce over pasta, leaving 1 inch headspace.
Add a splash of water if the sauce is very thick.
3. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rims.
Add lids and rings finger-tight.
4. PRESSURE CAN:
- Pints: 45 minutes at 10 lbs pressure
5. Cool, check seals, and store.
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"He goes thru these like crazy!!!" 🍝⚡
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© CanningRebels — Canned Spaghetti Dinners
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