Can You Freeze Spaghetti?: Wondering what to do with leftover spaghetti? Don’t worry, we are here to help you out. Read this article and learn about various ways to freeze spaghetti. We’ve also included information on how long spaghetti lasts, how to tell if spaghetti is bad and much more for your convenience.
Hope our guide on “How To Freeze Spaghetti” is going to help you enjoy leftover spaghetti dishes while saving time and minimizing food waste. This article walks you through each step of freezing cooked spaghetti to have it handy for usage in a later recipe.
Let’s dive right in!
- Can You Freeze Spaghetti?
- How to Freeze Spaghetti?
- Can You Freeze Spaghetti With Sauce Or Meatballs?
- How Long Can You Freeze Spaghetti In The Freezer?
- How To Defrost Frozen Spaghetti?
- How To Tell If Spaghetti Has Gone Bad?
- How long can spaghetti last in the fridge before freezing?
- Can you freeze spaghetti twice?
- Does freezing spaghetti reduce calories?
- How to freeze cooked spaghetti without sauce?
- Is frozen spaghetti healthy?
- How to reheat frozen spaghetti?
Can You Freeze Spaghetti?
Yes, you definitely can. Don’t throw away your leftover spaghetti—freeze it! If you find yourself making too much spaghetti, don’t worry, save yourself time and energy the next time by learning how to freeze spaghetti. It’s easy to reheat and tastes great. Thus, by freezing, you can surely enjoy spaghetti leftovers at a later date.
Uncooked spaghetti has a very long shelf life. It can easily pass a few months if left untouched in the original packaging. But cooked spaghetti spoils more quickly than uncooked spaghetti. This is because of faster bacterial growth. If it seems like every time you make spaghetti, you end up with tons of leftovers, don’t worry; simply follow the steps below to freeze spaghetti.
How to Freeze Spaghetti?
Frozen spaghetti really is the best—it’s done cooking and on the table before you know it! Let’s see the steps to be followed to freeze spaghetti:
Step 1: Cool down the cooked spaghetti
Let the cooked spaghetti cool down first. You can simply leave your cooked spaghetti on the kitchen cabinet to cool down at room temperature. Freezing hot spaghetti is not recommended because this may cause spoilage by leaving the water.
Step 2: Drizzle some olive oil
Put a little olive oil or cooking oil on your spaghetti and toss gently. You can use about 1 tablespoon of oil for 8 ounces of cooked spaghetti. This helps prevent the spaghetti from sticking together when frozen.
Place the leftover spaghetti in zip-top freezer bags in the serving sizes you prefer. Squeeze excess air out of the bag to prevent freezer burn, and tightly seal it.
Now, simply put your spaghetti bags into the freezer. Spaghetti will come right out of the bag once frozen. When you’re ready to cook, simply reheat the frozen spaghetti in warm water or add it to hot sauce or soup, and your spaghetti dish is ready to eat.
Can You Freeze Spaghetti With Sauce Or Meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze the sauce and cooked spaghetti. Don’t forget to cook the noodles “al dente,” meaning make sure they are slightly undercooked. The type of meat doesn’t matter; be it turkey or lamb, it all freezes great. Even if you made meatballs with your sauce, don’t worry; just freeze them with the sauce, and they will turn out perfectly for later use.
If you have a small portion of sauce left, then it’s recommended that you put it in a freezer-safe container. For larger quantities of leftover sauce, make sure to cool it completely and put it in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen spaghetti sauce stays good for about three months. Don’t freeze it beyond that, otherwise, freezer burn can set in, which may turn your tasty sauce less flavorful.
It’s also important to label containers with dates so you can keep track of how long each container of spaghetti will last. And when ready to eat, thaw the spaghetti sauce in the fridge. Avoid storing the sauce at room temperature because this can cause harmful, illness-causing bacteria growth in the sauce.
How Long Can You Freeze Spaghetti In The Freezer?
Three months. If you’ve cooked too much spaghetti in one go, freezing is the easiest way to store it for some months. In the freezer, cooked spaghetti can easily last up to three months.
Frozen spaghetti can taste just as good as fresh spaghetti if stored properly. Just remember to freeze the extra spaghetti soon after it’s made and seal it tightly to avoid freezer burn. When you’re ready to defrost the spaghetti, transfer it to the fridge to thaw.
| Spaghetti | Shelf Life |
| In the Refrigerator | 3 to 5 days |
| Frozen spaghetti | 3 months |
Go through the article How Long Does Spaghetti Squash Last to better get an idea of the shelf life and storage methods to follow.
How To Defrost Frozen Spaghetti?
Cooked spaghetti will last up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to defrost the spaghetti, there are a couple of ways you can go about it. Just keep in mind that, as with thawing any frozen food, slow defrosting is best for the spaghetti:
- Transfer to the fridge: Put your spaghetti in the refrigerator in the evening, and it will be ready in the morning. Plus, you can reheat some of the spaghetti and re-freeze the rest.
- On the kitchen counter: If you have only a few hours to thaw the spaghetti, putting it on the countertop should do it. Please note that this method is suggested only if you plan on using all of the spaghetti right away after thawing. To speed things up, consider submerging the freezer bag or container in cold water.
- Bring it to work with you: For single serving sizes of spaghetti and sauce, simply taking them to work in the morning and leaving them at room temperature will pretty much guarantee to thaw by lunchtime. Then, reheat in the microwave.
- Pop it in the Microwave: If pressed for time, microwaving is the best option to cook the frozen spaghetti.
- Put the spaghetti into boiling water: You can also add the spaghetti to a soup or slow cooker dish when it’s nearly done cooking. Just make sure the spaghetti is heated through but not mushy—it doesn’t take long!
How To Tell If Spaghetti Has Gone Bad?
Leftover spaghetti may go bad if not stored properly. Having said this, you can look at some of the common signs of spoilage to tell if spaghetti is bad or not:
- Bloated Bag: Air must not enter the spaghetti bag; otherwise, it will get spoiled. If you notice the bag of spaghetti is bloated, it is probably done for.
- Sour Smell: Sniff it! And if you get any sour smells, it is time for your spaghetti to go in the bin. Never use spaghetti with a poor smell as it might ruin the taste of the dish you are preparing, and nobody likes that.
- Mold Growth: If you witness any mold growing on the spaghetti, let it go. Scraping out the mold is not recommended as it might have developed harmful bacteria. Any visible signs or texture change other than the appearance of regular spaghetti is also not a good indication.
- Bad Taste: If all else fails, check the taste of the spaghetti and decide whether it’s edible or not.
Read More: Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash
FAQs on Frozen Spaghetti
1. How long can spaghetti last in the fridge before freezing?
Most spaghetti last in the fridge for 3–5 days. It’s highly recommended to store cooked and fresh homemade pasta in the refrigerator to slow mold growth and preserve its freshness for as long as possible.
2. Can you freeze spaghetti twice?
Yes, you can. But you need to cook the sauce again before you freeze it, especially if it contains meat.
3. Does freezing spaghetti reduce calories?
Yes, when pasta is cooled down, your body digests it differently, causing fewer calories to be absorbed.
4. How to freeze cooked spaghetti without sauce?
Cook the noodles al dente; this prevents them from becoming mushy when reheated. Then, divide it into desired portions and place it in a freezer bag. When ready to eat, grab the portion and reheat it at your convenience.
5. Is frozen spaghetti healthy?
Some nutrition coaches warn that “People should avoid frozen pasta dishes.” They’re considered unhealthy because they’re loaded with sodium and fat.
6. How to reheat frozen spaghetti?
Upon thawing, you can simply add the frozen spaghetti to a pot of boiling water, simmering sauce, or soup.
Takeaways
Frozen spaghetti is an easy way to whip up a quick dinner on busy weeknights. So, follow our tips and freeze your spaghetti in the best possible way. If you have any queries, feel free to drop us a comment below and our experts will guide you. Don’t forget to bookmark our site for the latest updates on wellness content like How Long Does Cauliflower Last and How Long Do Radishes Last in no time.