How to store fresh pasta

One thing before we start! If you haven’t hit your stride in making pasta, KitchenAid stand mixer attachments can help. You’ll find pasta attachments to help you roll and cut up different kinds, from spaghetti to capellini, or press pastas like rigatoni. Now let’s look at how you can look after those precious pasta creations.

How should you store fresh pasta?

There are 3 basic ways to store fresh pasta at home. It can either be dried, frozen or refrigerated. Which storage method you choose depends on how long you want to keep it! While some commercially dried pastas can stay fresh for up to 2 years, homemade pasta has a much shorter shelf life— around 2-6 months for dry pasta, up to 8 months for frozen, or 1 day in the fridge. Now you know how long fresh pasta will last, here’s a guide to each storage method. 

Drying fresh pasta (2-6 months of storage)

Drying pasta is great for long-term storage. This method also helps save space in your fridge or freezer. Dried pasta doesn’t need to be refrigerated and can be kept on the shelf in an airtight tub. Nice and handy!

How to dry fresh pasta 

If you choose the drying method, it’s crucial to make sure you dry it thoroughly before putting it away. You won’t be keeping your dried pasta in the fridge or freezer, and so removing all the moisture is key to keeping it safely in the long-term.  

1. Toss the pasta with flour - Start by tossing the pasta strands or shapes in a small amount of flour to keep the dough from sticking. 

2. Set the pasta out to dry - To air dry, you’ll want to lay or hang the pasta. You can either lay pasta strands on a single layer of a baking sheet or clean cloth towel, or hang them from a drying rack. Some people even hang them over the back of a chair! Find something that suits you. Just be aware that you’ll need to let your pasta air dry completely, which can take 24 hours or more, depending on how warm or humid the room is. 

Tip: How do you prepare fresh pasta for cooking? If you’re going to eat your homemade pasta the same day, you’ll still want to follow these first 2 steps above. Let it dry for about 30 minutes before cooking, so the excess flour can absorb the moisture from the eggs.

3. Check your progress - Test the pasta every few hours to see how it’s drying. If the pasta snaps in half when twisted, it’s ready! If it bends and flexes, it needs a bit more time.

4. Store it away - Once your homemade pasta is fully dried, pop it in an airtight container and store it in a dry area like a cupboard, where it’s not exposed to extreme temperatures. 

Freezing fresh pasta (up to 8 months of storage)

While freezing pasta isn’t common in Italy, where fresh pasta is always being made and purchased, it’s a good option. As well as freezing rolled and cut pasta, you can also freeze a lump of dough for later. Here are the different ways to freeze fresh pasta for months…

Can you freeze fresh pasta? How to freeze fresh pasta at home

Freezing pasta is ideal if you want to store it for longer than a day. That’s because if it’s left in the fridge for too long, the humidity may alter its flavour and texture or encourage bacteria to grow. Freezing may also be better for thicker pasta, like gnocchi. Here’s how:

Freeze pasta dough in a ball

1. Take your leftover pasta dough and roll it into a ball. 

2. Lightly flatten it into a disc and then wrap the dough in a double layer of heavy-duty plastic wrap and put it in the freezer. This keeps it fresh for about 4 weeks.

3. When you’re ready to use it, just thaw the dough overnight in the fridge before making it into your favourite pasta shapes.

Semi-dry cut pasta to freeze

1. Dust the cut pasta with flour to prevent sticking. 

2. Lay the pasta out in a single layer on a clean surface like a baking sheet, clean cloth towel or cutting board. Let the pasta air dry for one hour. 

3. Place the semi-dry pasta in an airtight container for freezing. Either use a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible, or a bowl with an airtight lid.

Make pasta nests to dry and freeze

1. Take a handful of pasta strands and coat them lightly with flour. 

2. Let each handful dry on a baking tray or other clean, flat surface for about 5 minutes. 

3. Pick up a small bundle from one end with your thumb and forefinger and loosely wind the rest of the pasta around your hand. Slip the pasta off your hand and back onto the baking sheet or flat surface. Leave to dry a bit longer in its “nest” shape — just under an hour until the nests keep their shape when lifted. 

4. Place the slightly dried pasta nests into an airtight container in the freezer.

Freeze pasta that’s been cooked in sauce

Many of us freeze leftover meals, and cooked pasta is no different. Simply put your freshly cooked pasta and sauce in a freezer bag or other airtight container for safe storage up to one month. An excellent solution for busy lives is to portion your pasta into individual servings and freeze in separate containers. Simply grab your delicious pasta dish and reheat directly from the freezer, or thaw in the fridge overnight.

Tip: How do you cook frozen fresh pasta? When you’re ready to cook your frozen homemade pasta, take it directly from the freezer and add it to a pot of salted boiling water. For noodle soup, you can bring your broth to a boil and add your noodles directly to the pot. It’s not recommended to thaw uncooked pasta first, as it can affect the texture.

How to store fresh pasta in the fridge (up to 1 day of storage)

You can usually refrigerate fresh pasta for about a day, but it’ll taste best when enjoyed as fresh as possible (within 18 hours). If your meal plans change, you can move refrigerated pasta to the freezer for longer-term storage, but make sure to do so within one day.

Fresh store-bought pasta can be stored in the fridge for a little longer— 2 to 3 days. This is because it’s already been semi-cooked to achieve a longer shelf-life. 

Start making your homemade pasta

Fall in love with homemade pasta by making, cooking and storing it like a pro. You’ll find KitchenAid cutters and rollers can help you to get neat and even results. Browse easy and simple pasta recipes if you’d like some new ideas for meal-making. Whatever you decide to make, it’s sure to be a hit at the dinner table.