Macaroni, spaghetti, ravioli, tagliatelle… Just how delicious pasta can get!
You cooked more pasta than you could eat and now don’t know how to store it correctly?
So you must be wondering, can you freeze cooked spaghetti? The quickest answer is yes, you can freeze it. Properly prepared it will usually last for about 2-3 months in the freezer.
If you are a pasta lover and want to learn how to preserve it correctly, there are some tricks that you should know.
Keep reading to learn how!
Does Spaghetti Freeze Well?
It’s a good idea to freeze it when you have leftovers of spaghetti. As mentioned above spaghetti can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months if properly stored. Make sure the spaghetti isn’t touching and they will freeze well. Freezing spaghetti has some of its advantages but also disadvantages.
Pros of freezing spaghetti
- Extends the shelf-life;
- Ideal when you need quick lunch or dinner.
Cons of freezing spaghetti:
- They can stick to each other;
- The dish loses its qualities over time.
Let’s look in detail at how to do it right.
How to Freeze Spaghetti?
You should keep in mind that this food can lose flavor, texture and quality once it is frozen, so it will not be as tasty as freshly made. I recommend that if you are going to consume it in less than 4 days, put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, without seasoning, where it can last in good condition.
How to Freeze Cooked Spaghetti?
With these tricks you will learn how to freeze spaghetti to keep your dishes in perfect condition:
- Leave it al dente: The most important trick is to cook the pasta al dente before putting it in the freezer so that when you defrost it, you will still find it soft and tasty. If, on the other hand, you cook the pasta a lot and put it in the freezer, when you thaw it you will find a very soft and unpleasant texture.
- Use the right container: The container where you will freeze the pasta is also very important, as it must be completely airtight to preserve food well at low temperatures. It will also be essential that you add the appropriate amount of pasta in each container, since distributing it in portions will ensure good conservation over two or three months. You can also use freezer bags.
- Freeze it without seasonings: Whenever you can, freeze your pasta without seasonings, that is, without sauces or other ingredients. Once you have the container selected and the pasta added, we recommend spraying it with oil, as this will make defrosting faster and more comfortable.
How to Freeze Fresh or Homemade Spaghetti?
In case you are wondering if you can freeze homemade spaghetti and how to do it, we have got you covered. If you make your pasta at home, you’ll want to store it differently than dry pasta. Store-bought dried pasta can usually keep in the cupboard for a year or more. Since homemade pasta is made from scratch, this doesn’t apply. I will explain how to keep uncooked homemade pasta for up to 8 months in the freezer.
Preparation:
- After cutting the pasta, spread it out on a wire cooling rack or hang it to dry for 2 hours on a pasta drying rack. If you’re not going to use it right away, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Let your handmade pasta dry for at least an hour before freezing it.
Freezing it:
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper,
- Arrange them so that there is a gap between them. This prevents them from sticking to each other in the freezer.
- Leave the pasta for an hour in the freezer.
- After that, place it in a quality freezer bag and/or airtight container.
You can usually store it for a couple of months in a freezer bag or container. Simply add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time if you cook it straight from the freezer.
This might also be interesting to you: Can you freeze uncooked pasta?
How Long Can You Freeze Spaghetti?
If stored in an airtight container, spaghetti can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. It would still be safe to eat spaghetti after 3 months, but the quality will start to decline fairly quickly. Similarly to freezing tortellini, I usually use them after two months.
How to Thaw Frozen Spaghetti
Now that you know how to properly freeze pasta, I will show you how to defrost it so that it retains its rich taste and original texture. There are many methods of preparing frozen spaghetti. Just keep in mind that, as with any frozen food, it’s best to thaw slowly and completely before serving.
- Cooled – Put it in the refrigerator at the end of the day. It will be available for use the next morning.
- Near the stove – If you only have a few hours, simply place the spaghetti on the counter to thaw while you work. You should note that this technique is only recommended if you want to use all of the spaghetti right away once it has thawed. Use cold water to submerge the frozen bag or container to speed up the thawing process.
How Do You Reheat Frozen Spaghetti?
- Put the spaghetti in a saucepan with warm (not hot) water.
- Stir frozen spaghetti into sauce carefully. This will slightly thaw the pasta and chill the dish, so make sure it’s piping hot before serving. Also, avoid over-stirring the noodles!
- Place the frozen pasta in a pot of boiling water right away. This will defrost the noodles in an instant and cook them for a minute.
- Put spaghetti in the microwave for a few minutes.
- I prefer reheating in the microwave, but you can choose any way that suits you.
Can You Refreeze Spaghetti?
I would not recommend it. Refreezing food is a highly discouraged practice since it can cause health and nutritional problems.
Best Tips for Freezing Spaghetti
- Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag and put it in the freezer.
- Use freezer-safe containers and bags instead of storage containers.
- Check that your freezer has a constant temperature.
- Arrange spaghetti in a single layer on a baking sheet. This is crucial because if the spaghetti doesn’t freeze in a single layer, it will clump together.
- Mix the cooked spaghetti with the extra virgin olive oil. This will prevent them from sticking.
- Before putting the spaghetti away, label each portion.
Freezing Different Spaghetti Dishes
Can You and How to Freeze Spaghetti and Meatballs?
Yes, that is possible, but for longer freezing periods it is usually better to freeze them separately.
Just for short freezing, you can do this:
- Cook them like you usually would,
- cool them completely,
- place them in the airtight container and
- put them in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Spaghetti with Meat Sauce?
Yes, spaghetti and meat sauce can be frozen the same way as with meatballs.
How Do You Freeze Spaghetti with Meat Sauce?
It’s pretty easy. Prepare spaghetti and meat sauce as you would otherwise prepare, but leave the spaghetti al dente. Mix everything and divide it into smaller portions. Cool completely. Transfer the dish to the container and label it with the date of freezing.
Can You Freeze Spaghetti Bolognese?
Yes, simply place the leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag and transfer them into the freezer. You can also only freeze bolognese sauce separately.
Can you freeze Spaghetti Carbonara?
Yes, you can. Learn more about how to freeze spaghetti carbonara in our detailed guide.
Can you freeze Chicken Spaghetti?
Chicken Spaghetti can also be frozen similarly to the method shown above. For more details check out our detailed guide on freezing chicken spaghetti.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Leftover Spaghetti?
Yes, they can last for up to 3 months.
Can You Freeze 3-day Old Spaghetti?
Spaghetti can last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, after that, if you’re not planning to eat it, you should transfer them into ziplock bags and freeze it.
Conclusion
It’s a good idea to cook a large batch of spaghetti to keep some portions frozen. Spaghetti freezes well and can give you some quick, yet healthy and delicious weeknight dinners that are ready in no time! If you liked this article, share it with your friends and family who love spaghetti as well and check out my other articles.
