Spaghetti sauce is one of those things that can be in your fridge for a long time and still taste delicious. But, how long will spaghetti sauce last? How do you know when it’s no longer safe to eat?
This article will answer all those questions and more!
How Long is Spaghetti Sauce Good For in the Fridge?
How long spaghetti sauce last in the fridge will depend on several factors, which include whether has it been opened yet, if it’s homemade or store-bought, and how cold your fridge is.
For spaghetti sauce that has been opened, it lasts two to three days in the refrigerator.
For spaghetti sauce that has not been opened, it will keep for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Alternatively, you can just store it in the pantry and the shelf life will be the same.
The next factor depends on whether it is homemade or canned. Homemade spaghetti sauce may be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days after cooking or up to four days after opening. Canned spaghetti sauce should be discarded after four days of being opened.
How To Store Spaghetti Sauce In The Fridge
The best way to store spaghetti sauce is in an airtight container, such as one made of plastic or glass. The container should seal tightly so that no air gets into it.
If you don’t have an airtight container, place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of whatever container you use and then put on another lid over that to keep out any contaminants floating around your kitchen (and especially those pesky fruit flies).
You can also freeze leftover spaghetti sauce if there’s more than you’ll eat within 24 hours. This will allow you to enjoy the taste later on without having to throw out any food!
What Ingredients Make Spaghetti Sauce Go Bad More Quickly?
Spaghetti sauce is one of those foods that you can make a lot of in advance and store in the fridge or freezer. This makes for a quick meal on busy nights when you don’t have time to cook. However, if you don’t use the spaghetti sauce within a few days or weeks, it will go bad.
The following are 4 ingredients that make spaghetti sauce go bad more quickly:
Salt – Salt keeps food from spoiling and helps to preserve it. However, it also draws out moisture from the food, which causes it to spoil more quickly than it would otherwise.
Sugar – Sugar can cause bacteria to grow faster than normal, which means that any bacteria present in your spaghetti sauce will multiply quickly and spoil the whole batch of sauce.
Fat – Fat helps keep food moist and prevents it from drying out too quickly. When fat oxidizes (turns rancid), this can cause illness by introducing harmful bacteria into your body through your digestive tract.
Canned Tomatoes – Tomatoes are high in acidity, which helps prevent bacterial growth while keeping other foods safely preserved until they’re ready to be eaten. Tomatoes also tend to have some sugar added during processing because they’re used as sweeteners in many foods today (such as ketchup).
How Long Will Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Last?
Homemade spaghetti sauce is a great way to control the quality and freshness of the ingredients that go into your meal. You can also save a little money by making it yourself, especially if you buy in bulk and make enough for several meals.
How long homemade spaghetti sauce lasts depends on how you store it. To get the longest shelf life for your sauce, keep it covered in the refrigerator and use it within a week or two.
How Can You Tell If Spaghetti Sauce Has Gone Bad
Spaghetti sauce can go bad if it’s not stored properly. Here are some telltale signs that your spaghetti sauce has gone bad.
Smell
If your spaghetti sauce smells sour or off, it’s past its prime. Look for mold or fungus growing inside the jar or can. If you see a film on top of the sauce, you’re better off throwing it out.
Texture
Spaghetti sauce should be smooth and uniform in texture. Dry, lumpy sauces are signs that the product is no longer fresh. The texture of canned spaghetti sauce may change over time because of changes in temperature or humidity, but it shouldn’t be dry or lumpy.
Color
Spaghetti sauce should be bright red and not brownish in color. The color change is usually caused by oxidation from exposure to air over time or from exposure to heat during cooking or storage.
Can You Freeze Spaghetti Sauce?
Freezing spaghetti sauce is a great way to make your favorite sauce last longer. You can freeze homemade spaghetti sauce, as well as jarred sauces. While it’s not necessary to defrost the sauce before you use it, it may take longer to heat up than fresh spaghetti sauce.
How to Freeze Spaghetti Sauce
Freeze spaghetti sauce in an airtight container or freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air and seal tightly before freezing. If you’re using a freezer bag, be sure not to fill it too full so that there’s room for expansion when the contents expand during freezing.
Label and date the container or bag with the type of sauce and the date you put it in the freezer for easy identification later on.
If you opt for an airtight container, you can use glass containers like mason jars or plastic containers with locking lids such as Ziploc® brand freezer bags.
When using a plastic container, make sure that it has been washed thoroughly with hot water and soap before adding food items to it. This will help prevent any contamination from previous foods that were stored there previously.
Conclusion
Having a well-stocked kitchen with plenty of spaghetti sauce is important for any home cook. It’s a versatile ingredient that can add flavor to many dishes and can even be used as an ingredient in other recipes. You may have heard that you shouldn’t keep spaghetti sauce for too long because it spoils easily, but if you follow these tips from this article then your spaghetti sauce should last for a while.
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
