Cooked pasta will refrigerate for days, freeze for months

Q: What is the best way to refrigerate cooked pasta? How long will it last?

A: Store plain (no sauce or other ingredients) cooked pasta in a container or plastic sealable bag in the refrigerator for up to five days and in the freezer up to three months. Some sources put the freezer time at two weeks, but I’ve successfully frozen cooked pasta longer than two weeks without any effect on quality or taste.

If you plan on cooking more pasta than you need or cooking it ahead of time to use in recipes where it will be reheated, it’s a good idea to slightly undercook it.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well in a colander. Some sources say to rinse it before storing. I’ve stored rinsed and not rinsed pasta in the refrigerator and freezer with the same results.

Before storing, make sure the cooked pasta isn’t super hot when you add it to the container or bag. Don’t seal it right away. Wait a few minutes until the pasta is cooled. Before sealing or covering with a lid, drizzle the pasta with a little olive oil, which prevents it from clumping together.

If freezing, it’s a good idea to store it in portion sizes you will use.

When ready to use the pasta, reheat it in boiling water or use it as directed in your recipe. You also can heat it in the microwave on high for a few minutes.