Pasta is almost everyone’s favorite to-go meal. There’s no wrong time to enjoy this deliciousness, so leftover pasta isn’t that big of bad news at all. It’s always better to have an extra meal than none! So you might be wondering, how long does pasta last in the fridge in case you have to store it for a long time? That’s a smart thing to consider, and we’ll address it in this article.
How Long Will Pasta Last in the Fridge?
It’s crucial to be cautious about food safety. This way, you can adopt the right techniques so that you and your family don’t eat moldy, old pasta. When you make a little extra pasta, you can store it in your fridge. However, the adequate time span to store it depends on some factors. These include the type of pasta and whether it was store-bought or homemade. Moreover, pasta can be cooked fresh or after dehydration, which would affect its shell life.
If you’ve prepared pasta and now you’re wondering how long it can last in the fridge, it depends on the ingredients, the nature of pasta, and more. Homemade pasta that is cooked fresh or dry tends to last around 4 days. On the other hand, store-bought pasta usually lasts around 2 days in the fridge.
If you’ve cooked stuffed pasta, like ravioli, it could last about 4 days. Furthermore, pasta cooked with sauce may last 5 days. Obviously, these are not definite expiration lengths for pasta. Your pasta might last longer or expire sooner, based on other elements. But one thing’s for sure: no cooked pasta will last more than 5 days in the fridge — even 5 days is a bit of a stretch. Hence, make sure to finish your pasta while it’s still good.
How Will I Know My Pasta Has Gone Bad?
Pasta might be creamy and smooth when you cook it, but it is bound to go bad after some time since bad pasta can lead to a few health problems. Plus, it does NOT taste good. This is because all kinds of microbes and bacteria gravitate towards the moisture present in cooked pasta. Mold growing on the pasta is a definite sign that it is going bad. Gradually, the ruined pasta will start to smell — if you didn’t throw it out before, you should definitely do so now. This is because the pasta will only become worse from here on, as it will get slimy, gooey, and discolored.
When it comes to dry pasta, they usually don’t expire for around two years. The packaging would have an expiry date.
Freezing Cooked Pasta
You can freeze your pasta instead of storing it in the fridge to extend its shelf life. To do so, store the pasta in a resealable container and place it in the freezer. You can use a zip-lock bag as well. The pasta could last up to 3 months if you freeze it.
In Mood for Some Pasta?
Jerry BBQ has the best meals, and our macaroni and cheese will have you craving some more. There will be none left to put in the fridge!
For more information on our finger-licking meals, dial (281) 864-5298 today. You can visit us to try our delicious menu at 16344 Wallisville Rd, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77049, near Everest Pharmacy & Medical Supply
