Can You Freeze Spaghetti Bolognese?

There is not much that beats a bowl of spaghetti Bolognese. It is a wholesome meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner, and it is fairly easy to make as well.

When cooking up a batch of spaghetti Bolognese, it is easy to cook more than what you can eat in one sitting or even more than you can keep as leftovers the next day. If you are stuck with quite a bit leftover, is there an alternative to refrigerating that will help it last longer?

Can you freeze spaghetti Bolognese? Yes, you can freeze spaghetti Bolognese sauce to enjoy at a later stage. It is fairly simple to freeze spaghetti Bolognese and it will last for up to 3 months. You can either freeze the sauce and pasta mixed together, or just the sauce on its own.

Many people choose to prepare larger portions of spaghetti Bolognese to freeze to keep as easy dinners during the week when they don’t have time to cook full meals.

Read on to find out how to freeze spaghetti Bolognese for the best results!

How To Freeze Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese freezes really well, and can be kept successfully in the freezer for when you need a quick-fix meal, which is still wholesome and filling!

Here is how to freeze spaghetti Bolognese to keep its best quality and taste.

1. Cook Spaghetti Bolognese

Cook the Bolognese sauce following your favorite recipe (or using your favorite store-bought Bolognese), and cook up the spaghetti as well.

If possible, you should cook the spaghetti al dente, as it will cook a little more when thawed and reheated, and you don’t want to have soft, soggy pasta. Mix the Bolognese sauce and the pasta together (or keep them separate while freezing, if you prefer.)

2. Leave To Cool

You need to leave the spaghetti Bolognese to cool down completely before freezing it. If not, the warm food can cause condensation in the freezer container, which could then cause ice crystals and frost which could ruin the quality of the food during freezing. Ick.

The food should also be cooled before being placed in the freezer so that it won’t raise the internal temperature of the freezer itself and place other food items at risk.

3. Place In Container

Place the cooled spaghetti Bolognese into a freezer-safe container. You can place it into a plastic container or a plastic freezer bag.

If you are freezing a few portions, it might be worthwhile to use plastic freezer bags to measure portions ahead of time. These can be stacked one on top of the other when stored flat in the freezer, and this takes up less space than a normal container.

However, if you are freezing a larger portion, it is probably easier to use a plastic freezer container. But truly, either is fine to use.

4. Squeeze Out Air And Label

Make sure to remove as much air as possible if you are using a plastic freezer bag.  This not only helps save storage space but ensures that the spaghetti Bolognese is not damaged by excess moisture.

Label the container with the name of the contents and the date of freezing. This helps you easily identify the food in the freezer, and helps you keep track of when it should be eaten by.

5. Freeze

Place the sealed containers into the freezer. Try to place the containers near the back of the freezer so that it does not fluctuate in temperature too much when the freezer door is opened and closed often.

How Long Can Spaghetti Bolognese Be Frozen For?

If stored in an airtight container, spaghetti Bolognese can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. It would still be safe to eat the spaghetti Bolognese after 3 months, but the quality will begin to decrease quite quickly.

The liquid in the spaghetti Bolognese will form ice crystals, and overtime this can ruin the sauce and the actual pasta. So it is just best to eat the spaghetti Bolognese before the 3 months are up to ensure it keeps its best quality and taste.

When it is time to enjoy the spaghetti Bolognese, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight and gently reheat it on the stove.

You might have to add in a little bit of liquid, such as water, stock, or tomato paste as it reheats. 

You can also just freeze the Bolognese sauce on its own and reheat this on the stove while boiling up some fresh pasta. It will probably save room in your freezer and the pasta may have a better texture this way.

Freezing Spaghetti Bolognese – Summary

It is a good idea to cook up a large batch of spaghetti Bolognese to keep a few portions frozen. Spaghetti Bolognese freezes well and can give you some quick, but wholesome and delicious, weeknight dinners that are ready in next to no time!

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