How long does pasta last in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long does pasta last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of pasta in different conditions. Moreover, we are going to discuss ways to spot bad pasta and the health implications of eating bad pasta.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long does pasta last in the fridge?
Fresh pasta lasts for about 4-5 days if it is stored properly at approximately 40°F or below in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag in the fridge or pantry. Dried pasta lasts for about 1-2 years if it is stored properly in an air-tight container in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry, away from direct sunlight and heat.
The shelf life of pasta also varies depending upon the type of pasta. The shelf life of some commonly used cooked pasta is
- The store-based wheat pasta lasts for 1-3 days in the fridge.
- The fresh home-made wheat pasta lasts for 4-5 days in the fridge.
- The cooked wheat pasta lasts for 3-5 days in the fridge.
- The gluten-free pasta lasts for 3-5 days in the fridge.
- The lentil-based pasta lasts for 3-5 days in the fridge.
- Pea-based pasta lasts for 3-5 days in the fridge.
- Bean-based pasta lats for 3-5 days in the fridge.
- Lasagna based pasta lasts for 5 days in the fridge.
- Pasta cooked with sauce lasts for approximately 5 days in the fridge.
- Tortellini pasta lasts for about 3-5 days in the fridge.
How long do dry noodles last?
Dry noodles last about 1-2 years past their packaging date if they are stored in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Thus, you can store your dry noodles in a dark corner of your pantry. It is worth mentioning that you should never store your dry noodles in a humid environment as humidity can degrade the quality of the dry noodles.
Can I store my dry pasta in the freezer?
When it comes to dry pasta, it already has a long shelf life when it is stored in an air-tight container in a cool and dark corner of your pantry, so there is no need to store your pasta in the freezer or fridge. Moreover, the high moisture content of the fridge or freezer can mess up with the quality of dry pasta and if somehow moisture finds its way to your dried pasta, it can degrade its quality. Therefore we do not recommend you to store dry pasta in the fridge or freezer.
Can I store fresh pasta in the fridge?
Yes, you should store fresh pasta in the fridge and it lasts for about 4-5 days in the fridge. Moreover, when it comes to fresh pasta or fresh noodles you can even store them in an air-tight container or plastic freezer bag in the freezer for about 6-8 months easily.
Thus keeping the fresh pasta in the freezer will increase its shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on the fresh pasta.
How to spot bad pasta?
You can tell whether or not your pasta has gone bad by considering its appearance, texture, and smell.
If you notice some discoloration in the pasta like the appearance of a whitish or grayish hue, it is the indication that your pasta has gone bad. Moreover, if you have some mold growing on it, that also means that the pasta has spoiled.
If you can feel something slimy while touching the pasta then it means that your pasta has gone bad. Odd or off-smell can also be the indication of the pasta going bad. Therefore it is recommended to take a sniff test for cooked or fresh pasta.
What will happen if you eat bad pasta?
Eating pasta that has gone bad can put you at the risk of many food-borne illnesses especially food poisoning. Which symptoms of food poisoning you will experience generally depend on the type of bacteria growth the pasta had.
If you cooked old pasta with some meat or dairy product in it, then it can have bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter that can cause severe health issues.
Moreover eating pasta infected with B.Cereus can cause severe gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long does pasta last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of pasta in different conditions. Moreover, we discussed ways to spot bad pasta and the health implications of eating bad pasta.
Citations
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-long-does-pasta-last-in-the-fridge
