Can You Freeze Dry Pasta? Here’s How to Get It Right
Updated on March 2, 2023
One thing few people think about is freezing dry pasta, but in some cases, you’re simply pressed to do so. Whether it’s because you have no more storage space left or you want to extend the lifespan of the pasta you have, it’s a solid plan.
The only downside we can see here is that if you don’t do this right, you can end up with gummy pasta which means you might as well end up throwing it out.
Can You Freeze Dry Pasta?
The same questions about freezing dry pasta came from one of our readers. In fact, here’s the message we received.
Q. My husband brought home a few bags of dry pasta. We already have some pasta in the pantry, and there’s not really room for any more food in there. We do have a large stand-up freezer in the basement that has extra room in it, so I was thinking of storing the pasta in there. My husband thinks that’s a crazy idea, and is afraid that I will ruin the pasta by freezing it. I don’t want to ruin it, but I have nowhere else to put it. Other dried foods can be frozen, so why not pasta? Can you freeze dry pasta?
Sure you can! Most people don’t bother to freeze dry pasta because it has an almost two-year shelf life in the package, but it can come in handy if your dry pasta is reaching the end of its shelf life or if you are running out of storage space. Freezing it can be a great option.
How To Freeze Dry Pasta?
The most important issue when freezing dry pasta is that it doesn’t get any moisture on it in the freezer, causing it to become gummy. For this reason, it’s preferred that you freeze dry pasta in its original package. To do that, simply take the unopened package of dry pasta and place it in the freezer. Be careful not to place anything too heavy on top, causing the pasta to be crushed.
If you have already opened a package of dry pasta and would like to freeze what is left over in the package, then I recommend freezing it in a different container. Even wrapped in plastic wrap, an open container is more likely to let in air and moisture, potentially damaging the quality of the product. Instead, place the leftover dry pasta in a freezer bag or a hard freezer safe container. Squeeze out the excess air and then seal the container. Label and date it. Place in the freezer until you need it.
What’s the Best Way to Freeze Dry Pasta?
Another thing you can take into consideration, aside from freezing the pasta in the original package, is also putting it all in an extra bag that you can use with a food saver. These devices will take out all the air and perfectly seal your bag.
Our favorite is FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine, which is a really cool device that will help you preserve your food for longer, save money and time. It works with bags of 8 and 11 inches, so you can preserve single servings or big meals. It’s perfect!
How to Use Frozen Dry Pasta?
To use frozen dry pasta, remove the pasta from the freezer and cook according to package directions. There is no need to thaw the pasta first.
However, you should do a quick check to make sure that the pasta has not been freezer burned or accumulated ice crystals, which may make the pasta mush once cooked. Frozen dry pasta should keep indefinitely if kept tightly wrapped in the freezer.
We even have a few really cool recipes you can try out using your frozen dry pasta:
- Butternut Squash And Ricotta Pasta Bake
- Tagliatelle ai Funghi Porcini
- Alfredo Pasta – Recipe With Grilled Asparagus
- Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
- Mushroom Meatballs Recipe With Black Bean and Pasta
- Italian Pasta Salad Recipe With Grilled Vegetables
- Mushroom Ragu Recipe with Rigatoni Pasta
- Cheesy Pasta Bake Recipe With Chicken, Bacon and Spinach