Tomato sauce is one of those ingredients that never miss in the pantry. Whether for a quick dinner with pasta or to add more flavor to a meat stew, it always saves the meal.
But it’s important to know how long pasta sauce lasts in the fridge. According to the Barilla brand, unopened jars of pasta sauce should be stored at room temperature in a cupboard or pantry.
Once opened, however, they should be used quickly to avoid bacteria. “The length of time a jar of pasta sauce will last in the fridge can depend on the ingredients used in the sauce, but you should refrigerate any sauce that will not be cooked immediately to maintain its quality after opening,” says Nicole Birmingham, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Rao’s Homemade, in the United States.
Next, food safety experts assess how long pasta sauce lasts in the fridge and offer storage tips for both the fridge and the freezer.
How Long Does Tomato Sauce Last in the Fridge?
Most jarred pasta sauces have a shelf life of about one year. However, once opened, they should be used quickly. “After opening a canned food with a high acid content, like tomato sauce, it can be safely stored in the fridge for five to seven days,” says Shelley Feist, Executive Director of the Partnership for Food Safety Education, in the United States.
Aside from mold, there are no other visible signs that the tomato sauce has gone bad. “You cannot see, smell, or taste the bacteria that can cause foodborne illness,” says Feist. She recommends always reheating the sauce to 45 degrees before using it to kill any bacteria that may result from slight spoilage.
One way to keep the sauce’s quality and freshness is by removing it from its original packaging. “Although it’s safe to store food in the can, it will retain its flavor better if transferred to a glass or plastic container,” says Feist.
Homemade Tomato Sauce Storage
Since homemade tomato sauce doesn’t contain long-lasting preservatives, its shelf life in the fridge is shorter. Typically, homemade tomato sauce lasts from three to five days; however, as long as it doesn’t contain cream or cheese, you can easily freeze it in airtight containers. “You can freeze any unused sauce in an airtight container and use it within six months for the best quality experience,” says Birmingham.
Homemade white sauce, on the other hand, should not be frozen and reheats well due to its dairy content. “Although not harmful to consume, cream tends to curdle when you reheat white sauce, ruining the texture,” says Christopher Arturo, chef instructor at the Culinary Education Institute. Store-bought white sauce contains cornstarch, which helps the cheese bind properly and prevents separation when reheated.
Source: Food Safety Education. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
