DecodedGuides

How to store fresh pasta

Best place: the fridge. USDA gives fresh pasta a fridge time (1 to 2 days, from purchase) and no pantry time, so it belongs in the fridge as soon as you get home. The freezer gives 2 months.

Pantry

No guideline

Fridge

1 to 2 days

from purchase

Freezer

2 months

best quality within

How to tell fresh pasta has gone bad

General signs for grains, beans & pasta, the group USDA lists fresh pasta under.

  • Small webbing, moths or beetles inside the bag or container
  • Musty or damp smell instead of a neutral, dry one
  • Clumping together from moisture getting into the package
  • Cooked pasta or rice turning sticky, slimy or sour smelling
  • Visible mould on cooked beans or grains left too long

More on grains, beans & pasta. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Store dry grains, beans and pasta in airtight containers in a cool, dry cupboard away from the stove. Once cooked, refrigerate in a shallow covered container within two hours and use within about four days. Freeze cooked portions for longer storage and thaw in the fridge before reheating.

How to store other grains, beans & pasta

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.