If you enjoy making pasta dishes, pasta sauce is a must-have item at home. You can either make them yourself or buy them from the store. Most of the time, you will not use all the pasta sauce at once. For that reason, you will need to store them for use later. Would freezing paste sauce be an option for storage?
Can you freeze pasta sauce? Yes, you can freeze pasta sauce. The sauce can be made with different ingredients. Some are cream-based, tomato-based, and even meat-based. All of them freeze well if it’s stored properly in the freezer. Properly stored, pasta sauce will last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Does Pasta Sauce Freeze Well?
Pasta sauce freezes extremely well. However, it’s best when it froze without any vegetables or other ingredients added. Vegetables tend to become soft when it is thawed.
Whether the pasta sauce is plain or has other ingredients added, it’s important to keep them from the air. If air is allowed to leak through the container, it will cause freezer burn to the sauce.
Therefore, ensure the airtight container that you’ll be using to store the sauce is in good condition and the seals are not damaged.
How To Freeze Pasta Sauce
Freezing pasta sauce is similar to spaghetti sauce. It’s pretty much straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of time.
Below are the steps to freezing pasta sauce:
Step 1: Allow Sauce To Cool
Once the pasta sauce is cooked, you will need to let it cool to room temperature first. Freezing the sauce while it’s still hot or warm, condensation will form in the storage container. The moisture from the condensation will damage the sauce. Also, the heat emitted from the sauce will cause food around it to thaw.
Leave the sauce on the countertop for about 2-3 hours to cool completely.
Step 2: Portion The Sauce
It’s best to portion the pasta sauce before freezing it. This will avoid having any leftovers after it’s thawed.
For making a large meal, you can freeze them in one large airtight container or freezer bag. For making small meals, you can freeze them in several small containers or bags.
Step 3: Place Into Storage Container
Scoop the pasta sauce and pour them into an airtight container or freezer bag. Both storage items do a good job of keeping air from reaching the sauce.
Make sure to leave about an inch of space at the top of the container or freezer bag. This will allow the sauce to expand without breaking the container or ripping the bag.
Step 4: Sealing
If you’re using an airtight container, check the seal on the lid for any damages. There should not be any tears or cuts on the seal. If there are, replace the seal or the entire lid. Then secure the lid to the container tightly.
If you’re using freezer bags, squeeze the bag to remove any excess air from it before sealing it.
Step 5: Label and Freeze
Using a marker or pen, write the date of freezing and the content on the freezer bag or airtight container. Then place into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Pasta Sauce?
You can freeze pasta sauce for up to 6 months. After that time, expect the quality of the sauce to deteriorate. It will slowly start to lose its texture and flavor the longer it’s stored in the freezer.
However, the sauce is still safe to use to prepare a meal. The only thing that you may not enjoy is the taste of it.
How Do You Defrost Pasta Sauce?
The best method to defrosting pasta sauce is in the refrigerator. This will allow the sauce to thaw with minimal changes to the texture and flavor.
Take the portion of pasta sauce you need from the freezer and place it onto a plate. This will help avoid water from running down in your fridge from the melted ice. Then place them into the fridge and let them sit overnight or for at least 6 hours before using it.
Alternatively, if you need pasta sauce much sooner, you can use the microwave to thaw it. Place the sauce in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it at the lowest setting. Remove the sauce after 2-3 minutes and give it a quick stir. Then microwave it for about 3 minutes or so until it’s completely thawed.
Can You Refreeze Pasta Sauce?
It will depend on what ingredient is used in the pasta sauce. If the sauce is tomato-based, you can refreeze it once it is thawed. There will be just a slight change in texture.
On the other hand, if the pasta sauce has dairy in it, it’s best not to refreeze it. After it’s thawed and when you freeze it again, the texture will be damaged. The sauce will split and become watery when it’s thawed.
For the best result, it’s better to portion the pasta sauce before freezing it. This way, you’ll only need to remove what you need from the freezer without having to worry about refreezing any leftovers.
Other Questions about Pasta Sauce
Can you freeze store-bought pasta sauce?
Yes, you can freeze pasta sauces that are bought from the store. Make sure that it’s not cream-based, or it won’t freeze well. Tomato-based pasta sauce freezes best. Before storing the pasta sauce in the freezer, transfer them to a glass jar or plastic container that’s freezer-safe. The original container won’t be able to withstand the freezing temperature and could break.