How To Store Pasta: The Cooks Quick Guide

Pasta makes for a hearty quick fix meal as it's easy to work with; unfortunately, it can be quite tricky to get the right proportions. This frequently results in leftover pasta, which should be stored in sealable fridge ready bags for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Alternatively, plain cooked pasta can be frozen for up to 3 months.  This article takes a look at the considerations involved in storing pasta, how long each type can be stored, and how to store them.

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• CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE STORING YOUR PASTA

• HOW LONG DOES EACH TYPE LAST BY STORAGE METHOD?

• STORAGE BY TYPE OF PASTA

• Storing Pasta Dough

• Storing Fresh Pasta

• Storing Dried Pasta

• Storing Cooked Pasta

• Storing Filled Pasta

• Storing Pasta Mixed With Sauce

• Common Questions

Considerations Before Storing Your Pasta

Type Of Pasta - There are over 350 different pasta types around the world; some of these require specialised preparation and storage in order to retain the shape and texture. It's not recommended to store various pasta types in the same container. Instead, they should be sealed in fridge ready bags before being kept in the same container to avoid mixing up.

How Long You Want To Store It For - The duration of storage will determine the best method of preservation to use. If you are looking to store cooked pasta for up to a week, simply use the refrigerator. On the other hand, long term storage can keep cooked pasta fresh for up to 3 months by storing it in frozen conditions.

Current State (Is It Cooked, Uncooked, Or Mixed?) - Dry uncooked pasta should be stored in cool and dry storage like a pantry, while cooked varieties are best stored under cold storage. Mixed pasta should be kept in the refrigerator, where the low temperatures will also prevent the pasta from becoming soggy.

How Fresh It Is - Typically, the fresher the pasta, the longer it can be stored. Avoid storing pasta that's been kept at room temperature for too long after cooking as it will have a shorter storage life. It is important to note that the presence of black and grey spots on the stored pasta indicates the presence of mold, and such food should be thrown out immediately to avoid food poisoning.

What Equipment You Have - The type of equipment that's readily available will determine the easiest and quickest method to store your pasta. If you have a fridge and fridge ready containers and sealable bags, you can rely on them. Alternatively, you can use the freezer for long-term storage. Other DIY storage options will depend on whether you have similar equipment readily available.

How Long Does Each Type Last By Storage Method?

Storage By Type Of Pasta

Pasta Dough

Recommended Short Term Storage Method: Refrigeration

How Long Can You Store It For? Up to 2 days in the fridge

How To Store Pasta Dough In The Fridge?

Equipment Required

• Refrigerator-safe container or bags

Instructions

1.  Pack the pasta dough into the container or bags and press out as much air as you can before sealing the bags.

2.  Transfer the packed pasta dough into one of the upper shelves in your fridge and remember to use it within 2 days.

Recommended Long Term Storage Method: Freezing

How Long Can You Freeze Pasta Dough? 4 weeks

How To Freeze Pasta Dough

Equipment Required

• 2 layers of heavy-duty plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Wrap the pasta dough in a double layer of heavy-duty plastic wrap.
2. Transfer the wrapped pasta dough into the freezer and store it for up to 4 weeks. Avoid placing other objects on top of the dough during storage.

Fresh Pasta

Recommended Short Term Storage Method: Refrigeration

How Long Can You Store It For? 2 to 3 days

How To Store Fresh Pasta In The Fridge?

Equipment Required

•  Airtight plastic bag or container

Instructions

1.  Place the fresh pasta in a fridge-ready plastic bag or container and seal it airtight.

2.  Transfer the sealed fresh pasta into the fridge and store for a maximum of 2 days.

Recommended Long Term Storage Method: Freezing

How Long Can You Store It For? 2 to 3 months

How To Store Fresh Pasta In The Freezer

Equipment Needed

• Baking Sheet

Instructions

1.  Gently spread the cut fresh pasta pieces on a baking sheet, ensuring that individual pieces don't stick to each other.

2.  Freeze the baking sheet for 15 minutes before transferring the semi-frozen pasta into freezer-safe airtight bags.

3.  Seal the bags and freeze the fresh pasta for up to 3 months.

Dried Pasta

Recommended Short Term And Long Term Storage Method: On the shelf or in the pantry in airtight containers

How Long Can You Store It For? 2 years

How To Store Dried Pasta

1.  Ensure that the dried pasta is sealed in its original airtight packaging, or you can use Ziplock bags to seal the pasta air tight.

2.  Transfer the sealed pasta into your pantry and ensure that it’s always stored in cool and dry conditions.

Cooked Pasta

Recommended Short Term Storage Method: Refrigeration

How Long Can You Store It For? 3 to 5 days

How To Store Cooked Pasta In The Fridge?

Equipment Required

• Airtight fridge-ready container or sealable bags

Instructions

1.  Allow the cooked pasta to cool down to room temperature before packing it in the container.

2.  Seal the container of pasta airtight and store it on the upper shelves of the fridge. 

Recommended Long Term Storage Method: Freezing

How Long Can You Store It For? 3 months

How To Freeze Pasta

1.  Add one spoon of olive oil or melted butter for every plate of pasta and mix it in. This prevents the individual pieces from clumping together while freezing.

2.  Seal the pasta in a freezer-ready container or bags. Keep frozen and only thaw the required amount.

Filled Pasta

Recommended Short Term Storage Method: Refrigerated

How Long Can You Store It For? Up to 3 days

How To Store  Filled Pasta In The Fridge

1.  Place the pasta in an airtight bag or container and seal it tightly.

2.  Store the filled pasta on the upper shelves of the fridge and remember to consume within the next 3 days.

Recommended Long Term Storage Method: Freezing

How Long Can You Store It For? Up to 2 months

How To Store Filled Pasta In The Freezer

1.  Gently scoop out the filled pasta into freezer bags or containers and seal them airtight.

2.  Transfer the filled pasta into the freezer for long term storage for up to 3 months.

Pasta Mixed With Sauce

Recommended Short Term Storage Method: Refrigeration

How Long Can You Store It For? 3 days

How To Store Pasta Mixed With Sauce In The Fridge?

1.  Pack the cooked pasta together with the sauce into a fridge-ready container and seal it airtight.

2.  Store the pasta in the fridge for the next 3 days. 

Recommended Long Term Storage Method: Frozen

How Long Can You Store It For? 3 months

How To Store Pasta Mixed With Sauce In The Freezer?

1.  Scoop out the pasta and sauce into freezer-ready containers and seal them airtight before storing the pasta in the freezer for the next 3 months.

Common Questions

How Should Pasta Be Stored?

The choice of storage method to use will be determined by the type of pasta you are dealing with, whereby dry uncooked pasta should be stored in the pantry. Cooked, mixed, and filled varieties are best stored in the fridge or frozen.

How Do You Store Uncooked Pasta?

Uncooked pasta should be stored in cool and dry conditions, preferably in the pantry, and left sealed airtight to keep off contaminants.

How Do You Store Dry Pasta Long Term?

Dry pasta should be stored in airtight packaging at room temperature and in a dry area.

How Long Can Pasta Be Stored In The Fridge?

Cooked pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or 3 days if it's mixed with the sauce.

Can You Store Dry Pasta In The Freezer?

No, dry pasta should only be stored in cool and dry conditions so as to maintain its texture.

How Do You Store Pasta Overnight?

Cooked pasta can be stored overnight in the fridge, and it will retain its flavor and shape.

Does Pasta Need To Be Stored Airtight?

Yes, during storage, pasta should be sealed in airtight containers or bags to keep out air, which might contain contaminants.

Does Dried Pasta Go Off?

Yes, eventually, dry pasta will expire, after which it shouldn't be consumed.

Can You Freeze Cooked Pasta With Sauce?

Yes, cooked pasta with sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months while still retaining its flavor.

Can I Freeze Cooked Pasta?

Yes, cooked pasta can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Do I Need A Pasta Drying Rack?

No, a pasta drying rack is not necessary unless you want to dry homemade pasta

How Long Can You Keep Cooked Pasta In The Freezer?

Cooked pasta can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.