I mean, I adore Italian food, especially pasta.
Salads, soups, sauces, and other tasty dishes can be used to cook it. I have a lot of various forms, sizes, and colors from which to choose.
My kids enjoy the colorful spaghetti because they enjoy playing with it. I enjoy setting up this type of spaghetti outside and allowing it to become filthy. They eat well and love playing, which I like. Let me share a captivating tale with you.
I went to Italy two years ago. Without pasta, my time spent seeing historical sites wouldn’t have been as enjoyable. I experimented with it in various forms and meal pairings. Pasta is a staple of Italian cuisine. More than 600 distinct forms are available!
I wanted to take this uniqueness of Italian cuisine with me when I went back home. Naturally, I brought spaghetti, bucatini, egg noodles, fusilli, lasagna, macaroni, penne, ravioli, and rotini. There may have been more distinct forms than I can currently recall, but all I remember is that there was a lot of spaghetti.
Does Pasta Go Bad?
A couple of days ago, I found a package of Italian macaroni in my storage room. I was amazed! Immediately I decided to surprise my family by making creamy casseroles. But then I asked myself: Does pasta go bad?
It’s been a long time since I bought it. I started to research to find out. Let’s see what I have discovered.
What Should You Know About Pasta?
Except that pasta comes from Italy, there is a lot more you should know.
Pasta is the name for many different types of noodle dishes that make up the cuisine, all divided into two categories: dried and fresh pasta.
Dried pasta is made for selling in markets, while the fresh pasta is made minutes before it gets served.
Usually, pasta is made of unleavened dough and wheat flour. Then these ingredients get mixed with eggs and water, and in the end, pasta is shaped into different forms and styles.
Further Reading: Pasta Makers – Reviews
How Do We Prepare It?
Most of you already know that pasta should be cooked in boiling water with some salt inside.
If you want your pasta “al dente,” you shouldn’t overcook it. It means that pasta should keep a certain hardness.
Ten to fifteen minutes of cooking from ground zero should be enough.
You can also prepare it in your oven as lasagna. You can add numerous additions to your pasta. Olive oil, garlic, and parm cheese are my favorite.
Read More: How to Choose a Cheese Slicer
Does Pasta Go Bad?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes, pasta does go bad.
How long it will last depends on the type; dry pasta can last longer. Also, it depends on how it is stored and is it cooked or not. Quality is also one of the criteria.
Dry pasta lasts longer than fresh one. You should check the expiration date on the package, which can be several years.
If unproperly stored, it will spoil earlier. When it comes to fresh pasta, you should know that it’s best to be eaten immediately after cooking.
Related: How Long To Store Pasta In The Fridge – Find Out The Important Stuff!
How Should Pasta Be Stored?
Storing pasta is quite straightforward, but there are details to watch for.
Here are the differences in storing the two types of pasta:
Dry – Uncooked Pasta
For dry pasta, the best way to be stored is in its packaging. When I found this out, I was delighted because they were like I left it – unopened and usable. Before you decide to cook it, you should check out the expiration date on the package.
Usually, it can be consumed up to two or three years from the production date. I’ve checked mine, and it had a three-year expiration date. I bought it two years ago, so my idea to surprise my family with a fabulous macaroni lunch was a go.
Also, it is important to keep your pasta in a dry, dark, and cold place. The best place is a drawer or the kitchen shelf. Mine was on the kitchen shelf; so far, so good. You shouldn’t expose pasta to heat, water, or any toxic materials. Also, you should be aware of the bugs if there are any in your kitchen.
But, if you have already opened your pasta package, then you should use what’s left two to three weeks from the opening. After that, it will start losing its quality.
If you like to store it for a longer period, you should do it in an airtight container or in a bag which can be tightly sealed, so the oxygen cannot break inside. I remember that I used to see pasta closed in a Ziploc bag at my friend’s place. She must have known about these tips before I did.
Fresh – Uncooked Pasta
Fresh pasta does not last long as a dry one. If you have a package of unopened fresh pasta, you should know that it is best to use it for about a week or two. After that time, it will go bad.
If you have opened your package, you should use the pasta within two or five days. This way you can get the perfect taste and the highest quality. If you like to extend the shelf life of fresh pasta, then you should move it to the freezer.
You will extend its life for up to two months. You can leave it even longer, but the taste won’t be like the original one.
Cooked Pasta
If I have some pasta left from lunch (which is a rare occasion, but it happens), I usually place the leftovers in a freezer. I think the right way to store it is by using an airtight bag. This way, you should extend the life of pasta up to one or two months.
You can leave it longer, but it won’t taste as good as the original one.
If you want to eat residues earlier, be free to place them in a refrigerator. It will be good to use an airtight container again. This way, it will last three to five days.
It’s interesting that it will be better if you store the source together with pasta. This way, you will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
See also: Quality Olive Oil Sprayers To Consider
How To Tell If Pasta Is Bad?
I had the opportunity to see and smell spoiled fresh pasta. It wasn’t such a pleasant experience. One thing is sure – you will quickly notice if the pasta is bad.
First, you will see the different appearances of pasta. That can be changing of color or the appearance of mold. The smell also should be odd. This way, your pasta wouldn’t be safe or usable for a meal. The best choice is to buy another one.
If it goes bad, it is more likely that fresh pasta would look like these. Dried pasta probably won’t change the appearance, but it won’t be delicious like it should.
In The End, We Know The Answer
I hope that you’ve found out which is the right way to store your pasta and prevent it from spoiling. I tested my Italian macaroni, and I discovered that they were still usable, and I created creamy casseroles.
If you stored your pasta properly, it is likely that it will be good to eat. I did a good job. First, the expiration date has not expired, and I haven’t opened the package any time before. I kept it in a dark, dry, and cold place.
The right choice for cooked pasta is the freezer. And, don’t forget the airtight bag. Take care of this marvelous Italian food, and you will be able to enjoy it for a long time.
Now I’m going to enjoy this delicious creamy casserole with my family, and I will try to feel the taste of Italy one more time again.
Viva la Vida!
See Also: Olive Oil Dispensers Reviewed