How Long Does Spaghetti Last In The Fridge

How Long Does Spaghetti Last In The Fridge And How To Store It Properly

Leftovers are a blessing especially if you’re living alone. They’re great to have around the fridge for when you need it during a lazy night and you can’t find the strength to cook. All you have to do is pop it in the oven or microwave and heat the leftover dish for a sumptuous dinner.

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But how long do leftovers stay fresh in your refrigerator? Let’s take spaghetti for example since it’s the most common dish we keep. How long does spaghetti last in the fridge? Can it last for a month without it ever going bad?

The refrigerator may keep your leftover pasta fresh for some time. But it’s not the answer to keep it from lasting long. Spaghetti’s shelf life is shorter than you expect. Just how short? Let us break it down for you.

Spaghetti will last in your fridge for 3 to 5 days. It’s a short time to keep such leftover pasta but it’s the best your refrigerator can do.

If you don’t think you can finish all your spaghetti within 3 to 5 days, transfer them in smaller containers and share them with your friends or neighbors. This is to minimize spoilage and disposal of food.

If you’re prone to having lots of leftover spaghetti every time a party ends, try to portion your sauce and noodles next time so you’re not left with too much food in the end.

How Long Does Cooked Spaghetti Last In Room Temperature

Never leave cooked spaghetti out in your kitchen counter for a long time. Your spaghetti will definitely go bad and you don’t want to spot the signs a little too late.

You may still display it out in room temperature for a short while. But if you leave it for more than 2 hours outside then bacteria might have already infected your food. Bacteria in food are known to grow at a fast rate at 40 °F to 140 °F. So it’s safe to keep a close watch over your spaghetti.

How To Store Spaghetti

How To Store Spaghetti

Storing spaghetti to eat in the next few days is easy. Here are a few handy tips:

1. Refrigerate

Refrigerate your spaghetti by sealing it in an airtight container. Remember to eat your leftover spaghetti in 3 to 5 days.

It is highly recommended to store your spaghetti in small batches so you can heat it quickly. Large batches take time to defrost. You might end up with a watery sauce as well when you defrost your spaghetti in a large container.

2. Freeze

Can you freeze spaghetti? Absolutely! It’s advisable to freeze your spaghetti in an airtight container if you don’t have any plans of eating it so soon. Spaghetti that is stored in your freezer will last for up to 2 months. But don’t wait that long. It would be better if you can eat your leftover spaghetti before the 2 months are up, so you can still enjoy that delicious freshly cooked taste.

Leftover spaghetti is a joy to have. But what happens if it goes bad? How can you even tell if your spaghetti has already spoiled?

How To Tell If Spaghetti Has Gone Bad

You can easily spot signs if your spaghetti has gone bad. Below are some of them to look out for:

1. Odor

Smelling your spaghetti is one way of checking whether or not your spaghetti is still good for consumption. Freshly cooked spaghetti will smell aromatic with garlic, tomatoes, and minced meat filling your senses.

Spoiled spaghetti, on the other hand, will smell ripe or sour. It will not smell inviting or delicious. Spaghetti that has gone bad will make you want to wrinkle your nose in disgust rather than lean in to take in more of the scent.

2. Mold

Like all cooked food that has been left out too long at room temperature or stored for so long in the freezer or refrigerator, mold will eventually develop. A clear sign of telling if your spaghetti is still okay is to check for molds.

Molds in spaghetti will look like black spots or a cloud of grey or white cotton on top of your dish. The moment you spot such colors in your cooked spaghetti, be sure to discard it. Don’t even try to reheat it and eat it. Save yourself from food poisoning and dispose of your spaghetti.

3. Discoloration

Spaghetti can discolor through time. Your noodles might not have its light yellow color but might turn dark or white. Your sauce might not look vibrant but watery or pale. When you spot these signs, it’s safe to assume that your spaghetti is no longer fresh and should no longer be eaten.

Other factors to think about:

  • Some like to cook spaghetti with meat but others like to substitute fish as well. Do note that fish spoils faster than meat so be sure to consume your spaghetti at once if you used fish.
  • White spaghetti sauce (made with cream) lasts around the same time as tomato sauce.
  • Light spaghetti made with butter or olive oil will still have the same shelf life as regular spaghetti. Just because they’re made differently or have lighter ingredients does not mean it will last longer.
  • Do not rely on the standard room temperature all year round. If you’re leaving cooked spaghetti outside, be sure to take into consideration how hot your home is. Never leave it in direct sunlight or on the kitchen counter during hot summers.
  • Store-bought spaghetti will have an expiration date so it’s best to check the date before buying it.

How long does spaghetti last in the fridge? To sum it all up, your spaghetti will last 3 to 5 days in the fridge while spaghetti kept in the freezer will last up to 2 months. With these facts, there’s no need to hurry up and finish leftover pasta since this guide has shown you an ideal timeframe on when to consume your spaghetti.

Has this guide helped you? Let us know!

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