Can you freeze cooked pasta? Yes, you sure can. Don’t throw away leftover pasta – freeze it! If you find yourself making too much pasta save yourself time and energy the next time by learning how to freeze pasta. It’s easy to reheat quickly and tastes great.
Our How To Freeze Cooked Pasta guide was created to help you enjoy pasta dishes while saving time and minimizing food waste. This guide walks you through each step to freezing cooked pasta to use for a later recipe. Frozen pasta really is the best – it’s done cooking and on the table before you know it!
If your family is anything like ours then pasta is a dinner staple. Pasta dishes are always finding their way into the menu rotation. One Pot Spaghetti, Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti, Chicken and Bacon Pasta and Gluten Free Pasta Sauce are just a few of the delicious recipes we enjoy!
While the whole family looks forward to pasta night, we can all agree there is a limit to eating or wasting leftovers. Years back I attempted to freeze cooked noodles – the results were great!
How Long is Pasta Good For In The Fridge?
Cooked pasta can typically be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days. To maximize its shelf life and maintain its quality, it’s important to store the cooked pasta properly:
- Cooling Quickly: Allow the cooked pasta to cool down quickly after cooking. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria that can lead to foodborne illnesses. You can run the pasta under cold water or place it in an ice water bath to cool it rapidly.
- Storage: Place the cooled cooked pasta in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This helps prevent moisture and odors from affecting the pasta’s texture and taste.
- Sauce Separation: If you’ve mixed the pasta with sauce, some separation might occur as the pasta cools and the sauce thickens. This is normal; just give it a stir when reheating.
- Smell and Texture: Before consuming leftover pasta, give it a sniff and a visual inspection. If it has an off smell or the texture has significantly changed, it’s best to discard it.
Keep in mind that these guidelines are general recommendations. Factors such as the temperature of your refrigerator, the cleanliness of the utensils used, and the initial quality of the pasta can affect its storage life. Always prioritize food safety and trust your senses when determining whether leftover pasta is still good to eat. If in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and not consume it.
How To Freeze Cooked Pasta
Keep frozen pasta as a freezer staple to reheat at any time for a variety of pasta dishes. In just 3 easy steps, you will have cooked pasta that is ready to go into the freezer.
What kind of pasta freezes well?
Today we are showing you how to freeze spaghetti noodles but you can freeze everything from linguine to penne pasta, to lasgana.
Step 1: Cook The Pasta
We recommend cooking pasta al dente. This means the pasta is still just a little bit firm to the bite. Frozen pasta reheats better when the pasta isn’t super soft and mushy.
Step 2: Cool The Pasta
Let the pasta cool before placing it into the freezer. It cools off pretty quickly so it won’t take long. If the pasta is sticking together you can add a little olive oil to separate the noodles.
Step 3: Divide into Ziplock Freezer Bags
Divide pasta into the serving sizes you prefer and place it into ziplock freezer bags. Squeeze excess air out of the bag to prevent freezer burn and seal.
Step 4: Freeze
Freeze the bags of pasta. The pasta will come right out of the bag once frozen.
How To Reheat Frozen Spaghetti or Pasta
Frozen noodles reheat easily simply by placing them in hot water or by adding them to a hot sauce or soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yup! It is our personal favorite noodle to freeze because it seems like anytime you make spaghetti, you are sure to end up with tons of leftovers.
Leftover pasta can be frozen with or without sauce. Let the pasta completely cool before adding to a freezer bag. Once in the bag, remove any air and place in the freezer until ready to use.
Cook pasta al dente – this prevents it from becoming mushy when reheated. Then, divide into preferred portions to seal in a freezer bag before placing in the freezer. When ready to eat, grab the portion and reheat.
Add to a pot of boiling water, simmering sauce or soup.
Yes! You can freeze cooked noodles with sauce. Simply follow the same instructions as freezing pasta without sauce. Reheat in the microwave, adding a little bit of water or broth if needed to thin out the sauce.
Here in the upper Midwest, you HAVE to serve spaghetti on the bottom of a bowl of chili topped with your favorite toppings. It is my top favorite use for frozen pasta.
Other Ideas For Serving Frozen Pasta
- Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti
- Meatless Baked Spaghetti
- Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Simple Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce
- Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce
More Freezable Foods
- How To Freeze Butternut Squash
- How To Freeze Mac and Cheese (& reheat it too!)
- How To Freeze Muffins
- How to Freeze Pancakes
- How To Freeze Yogurt
How To Freeze Cooked Pasta
Equipment
- ziplock freezer bags
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked pasta
Instructions
- Cool pasta. Divide pasta into the serving sizes you prefer and place it into ziplock freezer bags. Squeeze excess air out of the bag and seal.
- Freeze. Pasta will come right out of the bag once frozen. Reheat in warm water or add to a hot sauce or soup (such as spaghetti sauce).
Nutrition
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Erica says
Can I freeze cooked chickpea pasta? I like to sub that for extra protein sometimes, but I wasn’t sure if it’d freeze/thaw differently!
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Erica! Yes, you can freeze chickpea pasta, however, it’s best to freeze it covered in a sauce. Chickpea pasta that freezes without sauce tends to be mushy upon reheating. Hope that helps!
Carla Pannizzo says
Our favorite way to reheat pasta with sauce on it is in a frying pan with olive oil. It’s the Italian way in our family.