After every feast or holiday meal, it is usual to have plenty of unconsumed pasta on the table. Uncooked and dry pasta can be stored for 2 years as long as it is placed in a cool and dry place. Cooked pasta is a different story. When pasta is cooked, its moisture content goes up, which makes it an ideal environment for harmful microorganisms to grow. But you can store cooked leftover pasta for several days (or months) for later use. But how long exactly leftover pasta is good for depends on how you store it.
Cooked pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days
When pasta is cooked, its shelf life is shortened. Once it has cooled down, it is better to store it in the fridge in a sealed container or resealable bag.
When you store pasta in the fridge, it is good for 3 to 5 days. Make sure that the refrigerator is cold enough. Check if your refrigerator is maintaining a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below. Otherwise, your pasta will spoil faster. An environment within the Temperature Danger Zone (40°F to 140°F) is what you’re preventing here. Harmful microorganisms grow rapidly when food is kept anywhere in the Temperature Danger Zone. They could double in number in just 20 minutes!
Be certain a working thermometer is in place to validate the temperature regularly. A thermometer that isn’t working well will just give you false readings. Know how to calibrate your thermometer.
It is highly recommended to check your refrigerator for any perishables every week.
You might also like: Factors That Affect Growth of Harmful Microorganisms
Can you store cooked pasta in the freezer?
Yes, you can. Before freezing your pasta, apply a bit of olive olive to keep the pasta from sticking during freezing. Like most home cooked meals, cooked pasta can be stored in the freezer for 3 months.
Although I wouldn’t recommend storing cooked pasta this long since freezing may cause undesirable changes in the food. Texture and flavor are affected heavily when frozen in months.
For picky eaters, they wouldn’t want food that is discolored from oxidation, mushy due to large ice crystal formations, and freezer burned from prolonged freezing.
Do you know that you can cook pasta without using oil to keep it from sticking? Read it here: What’s The Best Way To Keep Pasta From Sticking?
What are the signs of spoilage in pasta?
Before or while you refrigerate your cooked pasta, check for any signs of spoilage. Cooked pasta can spoil faster for some reason, such as mishandling.
Although visible mold growth is the definite sign of spoilage, other signs can tell you that it is time to discard the pasta.
Check your pasta for any texture changes. Spoiled pasta usually feels slimy. Check for any discoloration and off odor as well. Most pasta turn whitish or grayish when it is starting to go bad.
Keep in mind that some foods items go bad without any signs of spoilage. But we have that strange feeling towards it. Always stick to the saying: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
