Can spaghetti bolognese be frozen?
There is nothing better than a plate of spaghetti bolognese. It’s a healthy meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner, and it’s pretty easy to make.
When making a batch of spaghetti bolognese, it’s easy to cook more than you can eat in one sitting or even more than you can keep as leftovers the next day. If you have a lot left over, is there an alternative to refrigeration that will help it last longer?
Can Spaghetti Bolognese be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the spaghetti bolognese sauce to enjoy later. Spaghetti Bolognese is fairly easy to freeze and will keep for up to 3 months. You can freeze the sauce and pasta mixed together, or just the sauce on its own.
Many people choose to make larger portions of spaghetti bolognese to freeze for easy weeknight dinners when they don’t have time to cook full meals.
Read on to learn how to freeze spaghetti bolognese for the best results.
How to freeze spaghetti bolognese
Spaghetti Bolognese freezes very well, and can be successfully kept in the freezer for when you need a quick meal that is still healthy and filling!
Below we explain how to freeze spaghetti bolognese so that it preserves its best quality and flavor.
1. Cook the spaghetti bolognese
Cook the bolognese sauce following your favorite recipe, and also cook the spaghetti.
If possible, you should cook the spaghetti al dente, as it will cook a little longer when it thaws and reheats, and you don’t want the pasta to be soft and soggy. Mix the Bolognese sauce and pasta together (or keep them separate while freezing, if you prefer).
2. Let cool
You have to let the spaghetti bolognese cool completely before freezing it. If you don’t, the hot food can cause condensation in the freezer bowl, which could lead to ice crystals and frost that could ruin the quality of the food during freezing. Stinky.
You also have to cool the food before putting it in the freezer so that it does not increase the internal temperature of the freezer itself and endanger other foods.
3. Place in a container
Place the cooled spaghetti bolognese in a freezer-safe container. You can place it in a plastic container or a plastic freezer bag.
If you are freezing a few servings, it may be worth using plastic freezer bags to measure the servings ahead of time. These can be stacked one on top of the other when stored flat in the freezer, taking up less space than a normal container.
However, if you’re freezing a larger serving, it’s probably easier to use a plastic freezer container. But really, either one is fine to use.
4. Squeeze out the air and label
Be sure to remove as much air as possible if you use a plastic freezer bag. This not only helps save storage space, but also ensures that the spaghetti bolognese does not get damaged by excess moisture.
Label the container with the name of the contents and the date of freezing. This helps you easily identify food in the freezer, and helps you keep track of when it should be eaten.
5. Freeze
Place closed containers in the freezer. Try to place the containers near the back of the freezer so that the temperature does not fluctuate too much when the freezer door is often opened and closed.
How long can spaghetti bolognese be frozen?
If stored in an airtight container, spaghetti bolognese can keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. After 3 months, the spaghetti bolognese can be eaten, but its quality will start to decline rather quickly.
The liquid from the spaghetti bolognese will form ice crystals, and over time this can spoil the sauce and the pasta itself. So it is best to eat the spaghetti bolognese before the 3 months have passed so that they retain their best quality and flavor.
When it’s time to enjoy the spaghetti bolognese, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove.
You may need to add a little liquid such as water, broth, or tomato paste while it reheats.
You can also freeze the Bolognese sauce plain and reheat it on the stove while you boil fresh pasta. You will probably save space in your freezer and the pasta may have a better texture this way.
Freezing Spaghetti Bolognese - Summary
It’s a good idea to cook a large batch of spaghetti bolognese to save a few frozen servings. Spaghetti Bolognese freezes very well and can offer you quick but healthy and delicious dinners that will be ready in no time.