How to store, reheat, and freeze pasta and spaghetti
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for up to 2 years
Keep dry pasta without eggs in the pantry, where it lasts 2 years from the date of purchase and 1 year after opening.
Watch out Dry egg noodles last only 1 to 2 months after opening.
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Fridge
Keeps for 3-5 days
Cover cooked pasta or seal it in a container, and refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Watch out Fresh pasta lasts only 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
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Freezer
Keeps for 1-2 months
Wrap cooked pasta in airtight packaging or seal it in a container, then freeze it right away.
Watch out FoodKeeper does not recommend freezing pasta salad.
Cooked pasta, including spaghetti, lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. Fresh pasta lasts only 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. Dry pasta without eggs keeps 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase and 1 year once opened. Reheat leftover pasta to 165°F.
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Cooked pasta lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. Dry pasta keeps far longer, 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase.
The times come from the USDA’s FoodKeeper, and the safety rules come from its leftovers guidance.
How long does pasta last?
Cooked pasta lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer, and dry pasta lasts 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase. Cooked spaghetti follows the cooked pasta times.
Freezer times are for quality, because food kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe.
| Pasta | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked pasta, spaghetti included | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Fresh pasta | 1 to 2 days | 2 months |
| Pasta salad | 3 to 5 days | Not recommended |
Does pasta go bad?
Yes, pasta goes bad, and how long it lasts depends on whether it’s dry, fresh, or cooked.
Does dry pasta go bad?
Dry pasta without eggs keeps 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase and 1 year after you open the package, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Dry egg noodles also keep 2 years from the date of purchase, but only 1 to 2 months after opening.
How to store fresh pasta
Fresh pasta lasts 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator and 2 months in the freezer, according to FoodKeeper. That is far shorter than dry pasta, so cook it soon after you buy it.
How to store homemade pasta
Keep homemade pasta in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days, or in the freezer for 2 months. Those are the USDA FoodKeeper times for fresh pasta.
FoodKeeper’s pasta lines don’t name homemade pasta, so the fresh pasta line is the closest guide. Once you cook it, the cooked pasta times apply. Those are 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer.
How to tell if cooked pasta has gone bad
Throw out cooked pasta that has mold. Foods with high moisture content can be contaminated below the surface, and moldy foods may also have bacteria growing along with the mold.
Throw it out as well if it sat at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
How long does pasta last in the fridge?
Cooked pasta lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Refrigerate cooked pasta within 2 hours of cooking, and keep the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Cover the pasta, wrap it in airtight packaging, or seal it in a storage container. For a big batch, divide it into shallow containers so it cools quickly.
How long does spaghetti last in the fridge?
Cooked spaghetti lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 months in the freezer, because it’s cooked pasta. Everything in this guide about cooked pasta applies to leftover spaghetti too.
How long does pasta salad last in the fridge?
Pasta salad lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, according to FoodKeeper, and FoodKeeper does not recommend freezing it. Keep it at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Throw it away if it has been out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
How long does pasta sauce last?
Opened spaghetti sauce from a jar keeps 4 days in the refrigerator, and opened tomato sauce keeps 3 to 5 days. Unopened jars of spaghetti sauce keep 18 months in the pantry from the date of purchase. Refrigerating unopened jars won’t make the sauce last longer.
How long can pasta sit out?
Cooked pasta can sit out for up to 2 hours, or for 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F (32°C). After that, throw it away.
Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. That range is called the Danger Zone. Keep hot pasta at 140°F (60°C) or warmer to prevent bacterial growth.
Can you freeze cooked pasta?
Yes, you can freeze cooked pasta for 1 to 2 months for best quality. Wrap it in airtight packaging or seal it in a storage container, and freeze it right away.
Pasta kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe. Only quality suffers with long freezer storage.
How to thaw frozen pasta
Frozen cooked pasta can be thawed safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
- In the refrigerator, which takes the longest, but the pasta stays safe the entire time.
- In cold water, which is faster but needs more attention. Keep the pasta in a leak-proof package or plastic bag so water and bacteria can’t get in.
- In the microwave, which is the fastest. Keep heating the pasta until it reaches 165°F.
How to reheat pasta
Reheat pasta until it reaches 165°F, measured with a food thermometer. Cover it while it heats, which holds in moisture and helps it heat all the way through.
If the pasta has a sauce, reheat the sauce by bringing it to a rolling boil.
How to reheat pasta in the microwave
To reheat pasta in the microwave, cover it and rotate it for even heating. The steam under the cover creates moist heat, which helps destroy harmful bacteria.
- Arrange the pasta evenly in a covered microwave-safe glass or ceramic dish, and add some liquid if needed.
- Check that the cover is microwave-safe, and vent the lid or wrap so steam can escape.
- Rotate the dish during heating so the pasta heats evenly.
- Let it rest, then check the temperature in several places with a food thermometer, because microwaves have cold spots.
How to reheat spaghetti
Reheat spaghetti like any cooked pasta, until it reaches 165°F on a food thermometer. Cover it while it heats, and bring any sauce to a rolling boil.
How to reheat frozen pasta
You can reheat frozen pasta leftovers without thawing them first. The USDA says that’s safe, but it takes longer than reheating thawed food.
Frequently asked questions
Does pasta expire?
Yes. Dry pasta without eggs keeps 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase, and cooked pasta keeps 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Do noodles expire?
Yes. Dry egg noodles keep 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase, but only 1 to 2 months after you open the package.
Can you refreeze cooked pasta?
Yes, in some cases. Pasta thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen, or you can use it within 3 to 4 days. Pasta thawed in cold water must be cooked before refreezing, and pasta thawed in the microwave can be refrozen after heating it to 165°F.
Can you put hot pasta straight in the fridge?
Yes. The USDA says hot food can go straight into the refrigerator, or you can chill it first in an ice or cold water bath. Make sure it gets there within 2 hours of cooking.
Does freezer burn make pasta unsafe?
No. Freezer burn only dries food in spots, leaving grayish-brown leathery spots where air reached the surface. You can cut those parts away before or after cooking.
