With references dating back to Ancient Greek and Rome, pasta’s popularity has had a long shelf life. It is even part of Greek mythology, where a resident of Mount Olympus created a pasta maker so he could enjoy noodles. Around the world, pasta is a staple dish for humans and gods alike.
But what is the shelf life for cooked pasta? Many people wonder what to do with their leftovers and whether they are safe to eat hours or even days later. Can warm pasta safely go in the fridge?
Yes, cooked pasta is safe to put in the refrigerator. As long as some simple precautions are taken, warm pasta can be cooled and stored to last up to several days.
Can hot food go in the fridge?
Some people may feel concerned that food should cool before it goes in the fridge. There is a concern that large amounts of heated food can cause the fridge to struggle with cooling. In this case, dangerous bacteria become a real threat. That is why it is important to separate hot food before refrigerating it.
Storing large amounts of warm pasta
If there is a lot of hot food left over from a large event, keeping all of it together in the fridge could cause the temperature to cool more slowly. This can be avoided by breaking the food up into smaller portions and placing the portions away from each other inside the fridge.
Cooling the pasta before placing it in the refrigerator is also an option. Try running large amounts of food under cold water or letting it sit near ice to rapidly reduce the temperature before putting it in the fridge.
Storing smaller amounts of warm pasta
If the amount is the size of a single meal, everything should be fine. Generally, food that is still hot – including cooked pasta – is safe to refrigerate. Simply wrap it up in a safe container and put it away. As long as the refrigerator is operating normally, it will be able to cool the pasta quickly on its own.
Should I leave pasta out to cool before using the fridge?
This is not a safe option. Unless there’s something wrong with their refrigerators, people can trust these machines to take care of business. Leaving food out on the counter at room temperature for more than two hours can run the risk of dangerous bacteria forming.
How long will warm pasta last in the fridge?
There are a few things to take into consideration when storing cooked pasta:
Container:
Always use a shallow, air-tight container for storage.
The deeper a container is, the harder it will be to cool. If the dish requires a deep pan, it’s best to break it down into smaller portions to let the food cool more quickly.
Containers that don’t have a proper air-tight seal can potentially let in bacteria that will become dangerous to anyone who consumes the food. The best plan is to store warm pasta in a container that keeps it fresh.
Fridge:
If you store warm pasta in a shallow, air-tight container in the fridge, you can expect it to last anywhere from three to five days. Of course, as time goes on, the taste and texture may begin to decline somewhat. However, in terms of safety, it is likely to be fine.
Freezer:
If you store warm pasta properly in the freezer, it remains safe much longer. For up to two months, the taste and texture should be intact, and the food will remain safe slightly longer than that.
Thawed:
Once you’ve frozen your pasta, you will want to thaw it out before eating. Be aware that pasta on its own will tend to lose that good texture it’s known for once it’s been frozen and thawed out. Pasta that is covered in sauce before freezing tends to taste a bit better.
How long will cooked pasta last at room temperature?
It is never a good idea to keep hot food at room temperature beyond two hours. The reason has to do with bacteria.
Between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria can grow and reproduce rapidly. Food health experts recommend tossing anything that’s been left sitting for more than two hours. It’s not worth the risk of food poisoning.
Can warm pasta go in a cooler?
Coolers usually aren’t designed to reduce temperatures and keep things cold the way refrigerators are. When you place large, hot items in a cooler, the temperature of the cooler rises with the food.
It can be useful to bring a cooler in your car to a restaurant where leftovers are a possibility. This way, the cooler can help slightly lower the food’s temperature on the way home. However, the food should go straight to the fridge once you’re home.
Be aware that if your drive is longer than two hours, the cooler is not a safe option. It’s best to finish what you can at the restaurant and then throw the remainder away.
Can I freeze pasta, thaw it, and then refrigerate it again?
This depends on how it was thawed.
Sometimes people will thaw food, only to realize too late that there’s too much to eat in one sitting. If they thawed the pasta by moving it to the refrigerator, then it is safe to put the leftover leftovers back in the fridge for about another three days. Make sure the pasta is in an air-tight container.
If they thawed it in the microwave or another method, then it’s best to finish what you can and then throw away the rest.
Always check your refrigerated or frozen food for odd odors or mold before eating it.
