There is not much that beats a bowl of bolognese. It is a healthy meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner, and it is quite easy to prepare.
When cooking a series of bolognese, it is easy to cook more than what you can eat in one sitting or even more than you can leave as leftovers the next day. If you have a little leftover, is there an alternative to cooling that will help you last longer?
Can you freeze bolognese sauce? Yes, you can freeze it to enjoy it at a later stage. Bolognese sauce is quite easy to freeze and will last up to 3 months. You can either freeze the sauce and pasta mixed together, or just the sauce alone.
Many people decide to prepare larger portions of Bolognese for freezing to keep dinner as light as possible during the week when they do not have time to cook full meals.
In this article, I will teach you how to freeze Bolognese sauce? Read on to learn everything important for the best results
Does Bolognese Sauce Freeze Well?
Bolognese sauce freezes very well. So if one day I have an abundance of tomatoes, I make a large quantity and freeze it in portions. It serves us not only to make some spaghetti but to stuff some potatoes, some piquillo peppers…Therefore it is always a good idea to cook a large batch of bolognese to keep a few servings frozen.
It gives you a quick, but useful and delicious dinner to prepare anytime soon!
How to Freeze Bolognese Sauce?
Let’s get into more detail on how to freeze it.
Step 1: Preparation
Before freezing the beef sauce, allow it to reach room temperature. It is good to keep the sauce immediately if it is already at room temperature; however, a hot or warm sauce should never be placed directly in the freezer as this can raise the overall temperature of the freezer.
According to food safety standards, the internal temperature of refrigerated food should be kept between 120 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for the first two hours, and then between 70 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit for the next four hours. Allow the sauce to come to room temperature for up to 2 hours before placing it in the refrigerator if needed.
Alternatively, put the sauce in a container and immerse it completely in a large basin of cold water. Stirring the sauce often will help speed up the cooling process. After your sauces have cooled, you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Step 2: Find the right container
The next step is to identify the type and size of the container. Glass containers should not be used to store sauces or other food items as the food inside may expand during the freezing process, causing the container to break. Plastic containers should be used instead.
Step 3: Proper storage
Rather than storing huge amounts of sauce, think about how you will use your sauces once thawed and divide them accordingly before freezing. If you only need a small amount of sauce, pour a small amount into an ice cube tray or snack-sized freezer bags and freeze them.
This not only saves space in the freezer and reduces waste, but also makes reheating individual portions much more convenient. To avoid freezer burn, simply remove excess air or choose a container with a hole small enough to allow for a small movement of air.
How Long Can You Freeze Bolognese Sauce?
Sauces made from scratch typically last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Once frozen, these similar sauces can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months and, in some cases, even for longer periods.
Although your sauces are generally safe to eat after six months, the flavors will have diminished and you could risk burning the freezer if you don’t use them right away
How to Defrost Bolognese Sauce?
Finally, always remember that everything that is frozen must be defrosted in the refrigerator to avoid thermal shocks and therefore the proliferation of bacteria. So take the meat sauce out of the freezer a few hours in advance. While it may take some time, it will ensure the safety of your food. The sauce jar can be placed in a large basin if that’s more convenient for you.
By running cold water over the container, you can make sure it is completely thawed. If you have little time, it is better to use the microwave oven with the “defrost” function.
Please note that using hot water while using this method can cause the meal to reach a dangerous temperature, which should be avoided at all costs.
Can You Refreeze Bolognese Sauce?
You can safely refreeze the sauce if it thaws too much but under one condition. Since meat is more problematic than other ingredients in terms of spoilage, you must reheat the sauce and only freeze it again once cooled down. Always defrost spaghetti sauce in the refrigerator and avoid storing it at room temperature.
But be aware that the quality gets worse every time you freeze it. So it is better to freeze batch sizes that will be used at once.
Freezing Different Types or Variations of Bolognese Sauce
Can You Freeze Spaghetti Bolognese?
Spaghetti Bolognese freezes very well and can be successfully stored in the freezer for when you need a quick meal, which is still healthy and filling! It is quite simple to freeze spaghetti and will last up to 3 months.
- You need to cook spaghetti, let them cool properly.
- Place cooled spaghetti bolognese in a freezer-safe container. Be sure to remove as much air as possible,
- label the container with the date of freezing
- and place it in a freezer.
You can also freeze pasta and sauce in separate containers. In my opinion, this is better for preserving the quality.
Can You Freeze Bolognese Sauce With Milk?
Yes, it can be frozen with no worries, the same way as regular Bolognese sauce.
Can You Freeze Bolognese Sauce From a Jar?
Yes, Bolognese sauce can be frozen whether you freeze homemade sauce or one from the jar.
Can You Freeze Dolmio Bolognese Sauce?
Yes, dolmio Bolognese sauce can be frozen.
Best Way to Reheat Frozen Bolognese Sauce
There are several ways to reheat the bolognese sauce. I prefer to use the following:
- Put the sauce in a heavy-bottomed saucepan,
- then put it on the stove over medium-low heat,
- and finally, transfer it to a bowl and enjoy.
Can you freeze Bolognese after 3 days?
Properly stored, the cooked Bolognese sauce will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of the cooked Bolognese sauce, freeze it – freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy freezer bags.
Conclusion
I hope that my indications may have been useful to you. This article was written to help you how to freeze Bolognese sauce the best way. If you have any suggestions, you can write them in the comment section. If you liked this article, share them with other Bolognese lovers, so they can also learn how to store Bolognese sauce.
