Pasta is traditionally made from wheat, but there are also other types made from peas, lentils, beans and other gluten-free ingredients. The expected lifespan of the pasta in the refrigerator depends on what it is made of.
Although dried pasta can last in your pantry for years, you may wonder how long it will keep in the refrigerator once it's cooked.
This article discusses how long different types of pasta can be stored in the refrigerator, and the best storage methods to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
Like other prepared foods and leftovers, cooked pasta should be stored in the refrigerator.
This is because cooked pasta contains moisture, which will eventually lead to deformationmold growthand lower temperatures slow down the decay process (
It's useful to know how long you can keep different types and preparations of pasta in the refrigerator before they need to be thrown away.
Here's how long some of the most popular types of pasta last in the refrigerator (
- Fresh Homemade Wheat Pasta:4-5 days
- Freshly purchased wheat pasta:1-3 days
- Cooked wheat pasta:3-5 days
- Pasta based on lentils, beans or peas:3-5 days
- Gluten-free pasta:3-5 days
- Tortellini or other filled pasta:3-5 days
- Lasagna or other cooked pasta with sauce:5 days
Please note that these are general expectations and individual dishes may vary, but you can expect most cooked pastas to have a shelf life of less than 1 week.
It's still important to examine your pasta and make sure there are no signs of spoilage before eating it.
CVCooked and fresh homemade pasta should be stored in the refrigerator to slow mold growth and maintain freshness for as long as possible. Most pastas can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
You can usually tell if your pasta has gone bad by looking and feeling it.
One of the most noticeable signs of expired pasta is that it has become slimy or sticky, which usually happens just before visible mold begins to grow.
You may also notice that it has a dullness or discoloration, such as a grayish or whitish tint.
Sometimes you can even smell that your pasta is starting to spoil and needs to be thrown away.
Risks of eating expired pasta
Eating old pasta can make you sick if harmful bacteria grow on it, and it can affect people in different ways.
you can experiencesymptoms of food poisoningwhich range from mild to severe depending on what is growing on the pasta you ate.
The most common symptoms of foodborne illness are gastrointestinal in nature, causing stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting (
One of the most common foodborne pathogens that can grow on old pasta isB. cereus, which can cause cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, this bacteria has even been known to cause death (
If you eat old pasta that contains other ingredients, such as meat,noor dairy products it is more likely to be exposed to other common bacteria, such asSalmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium,ofListeriaalso (
To minimize the risk of foodborne illness from eating leftover pasta, follow the general shelf life expectations above, examine your pasta before eating it, and practice proper storage techniques.
CVEating expired pasta puts you at risk of a number of foodborne illnesses, which can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting. Check for signs of spoilage before eating leftover cooked pasta.
After cooking the pasta, allow any leftovers to cool thoroughly and then refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Moisture trapped when hot pasta is sealed and cooled can create the perfect environment for bacteria or mold to grow (
Refrigerated pasta should be stored in shallow, airtight containers or resealable bags.
It may be helpful to toss in the leftover cooked noodlesolive oilto prevent them from sticking together too much in the refrigerator.
Finally, make sure your refrigerator stays at 4°C (40°F) or lower to store cold foods (
This way you can safely reheat leftover pasta
When you are ready to enjoy the leftover pasta, you can chill it straight from the refrigerator or enjoy it plainheat upit using a few recommended methods.
If you eat plain pasta without sauce, you can reheat it by placing it in a colander and immersing it in boiling water for about 30-60 seconds.
The remaining pasta with sauce can be placed in a heatproof dish and baked in the oven at 350°F (176°C) for about 20 minutes.
It can also be placed in a skillet on the stove and heated over medium heat, stirring gently to heat it thoroughly.
A covered microwave-safe bowl can also work well for leftover pasta, use your microwave's warming setting and stir gently until there are no cold spots.
As long as your pasta is properly chilled at 4°C and you enjoy the leftovers in a timely manner, there is a low risk of bacterial contamination if you want to eat it cold.
If you reheat, be sure to reheat thoroughly to at least 74°C and eat within 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth (
CVTo optimize shelf life, store cooked pasta in the refrigerator at 4°C (40°F) or lower in an airtight container or resealable bag. Leftovers can be eaten cold or reheated with boiling water, the stove, microwave or oven.
Pasta is a popular food around the world and is made from several staples, such as wheat, legumes andgluten-free grains.
While dried pasta has a long shelf life in the pantry, cooked and fresh homemade pasta should be eaten fairly quickly. Most cooked pasta only lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator before it begins to show signs of shelf life.
Eating expired pasta is associated with risks similar to those associated with eating other expired foods, such as foodborne illness.
This makes it important to follow proper handling, preparation and refrigeration techniques, and to eat your cooked productspastawithin a reasonable time frame.
