Quick Answer
Most dried pasta noodles are safe to eat after the expiration date printed on the packaging has passed. However, it’s best to examine the pasta closely before cooking and eating it. Look for signs of spoilage like an off smell, discoloration, or presence of mold. If the pasta passes the visual inspection, it should be safe to eat as long as it was stored properly in a cool, dry place. But be aware that the noodles’ quality and texture declines over time after the date on the package.
Does Pasta Expire?
Pasta has a relatively long shelf life compared to other pantry staples. Most packages of dried pasta list an expiration or best by date that ranges from 1-2 years after the production date. However, this date is not an exact deadline or safety indicator.
Rather, the printed date on pasta packaging indicates how long the producer guarantees the best flavor and texture of the unopened product. Over time on the shelf, the pasta’s quality slowly deteriorates. But stored properly in a cool, dry location, dried pasta remains safe to eat for a long time after its expiration date.
This is because dried pasta has very low moisture content, which prevents microbial growth and spoilage. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), properly stored commercially packaged pasta has an indefinite shelf life.1
So the date on the box simply indicates when the pasta may start to become stale or degrade in quality. Expired pasta that shows no sign of spoilage can be eaten with little to no safety risks. But the texture and flavor will likely decline over time past the printed date, so it may not taste as good.
How Can You Tell if Expired Pasta Has Gone Bad?
Although dried pasta stays safe indefinitely, old pasta that has gone bad from improper storage will show signs of spoilage. Here are the main things to look for when determining if expired pasta has spoiled and become unsafe to eat:
– Unpleasant odors – Discard pasta that smells bad, stale, or moldy. Good pasta should not have any unpleasant odors.
– Change in color – Toss out pasta if it shows significant discoloration or unnatural colors, which indicates degradation.
– Presence of mold – Moldy pasta should always be discarded, as mold toxins can cause illness.
– Textural changes – If properly stored pasta feels unusually soft, limp, or powdery, it may have gone bad.
– Insect infestation – Tiny bugs inside packaging often signals spoilage. Discard any pasta with bugs inside the bag or box.
If expired pasta passes the smell, color, mold, and texture inspections, it should be safe to cook and eat. But the cooking time and eating quality may be affected.
How to Store Pasta for Maximum Freshness
To keep pasta fresher for longer and minimize quality deterioration after the printed date:
– Store unopened pasta boxes or bags in a cool, dry pantry away from sources of heat or moisture.
– Once opened, keep pasta in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption. Or leave it in the original packaging and roll the bag tightly closed after opening.
– Check pasta 1-2 times per year and discard any that shows signs of spoilage like smell, color changes, or bugs.
– Freeze unused portion for very long term storage. Place dried pasta in airtight bags or containers. It will keep for 2-3 years frozen.
– When cooking expired pasta, allow extra cooking time for very old or stale pasta to fully soften. Rinse cooked pasta well to remove any musty or stale flavors.
Proper storage helps dried pasta stay fresh and minimizes staleness, texture changes, and other quality deterioration. But well-stored pasta that has passed its date can still be cooked and eaten without safety issues in most cases.
What Are the Health Risks of Eating Expired Pasta?
Consuming expired dried pasta that has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage is unlikely to cause any health risks or food poisoning.
This is because commercially produced dried pasta is low moisture and high acid, which makes it very resistant to developing dangerous bacteria like salmonella or E. coli.2 Dried pasta is considered a non-perishable food for this reason.
However, harmful mold growth and insect infestation are two potential hazards with very old, expired pasta. Consuming pasta contaminated with mold or bugs could potentially cause illness. So it’s important to inspect pasta closely and discard any expired products that show signs of mold, bugs, or other spoilage.
Diarrhea or vomiting are possibile side effects of eating pasta that has become moldy or insect-infested. Individuals with compromised immune systems are most at risk of illness from eating spoiled, out of date pasta.3
If the expired pasta smells normal and looks unspoiled, the main risks are just from lower nutritional content as vitamins degrade over time. The noodles may also not taste as good or have the proper classic firm, chewy pasta texture when cooked.
How Long Does Pasta Last After the Expiration Date?
Most packages of dried pasta list a best by date in the range of 1-2 years after production. Exact shelf life varies by the type of pasta:
– Fresh pasta: Lasts 1 week in the refrigerator; around 1-2 months in freezer
– Dried egg pasta: Best by around 1 year after production
– Dried durum wheat pasta: Best by up to 2 years after production
When stored properly in a cool, dry place, dried pasta can safely be eaten for many months or even years after its printed expiration date, although the texture and taste will gradually decline. Over time, the noodles may become brittle, mushy, or develop a stale or musty smell.
Very old pasta, around 3-5 years past its date, often becomes quite stale and moldy. Pasta this old should be discarded.
For the best taste and texture, try to eat dried pasta within 1 year of the best by date. Cook pasta 2-4 minutes longer if consuming more than 2 years after the printed date. This compensates for increased dryness.
Freezing can significantly extend the shelf life of both fresh and dried pasta. Frozen pasta stays safe almost indefinitely.
Does the Type of Pasta Affect How Long It Lasts After Expiring?
The shelf life of pasta depends on ingredients and production method. Here are some general guidelines for different pasta varieties:
Fresh pasta: Lasts around 1 week beyond sell by date in fridge. Homemade fresh pasta keeps 3-5 days. The high moisture and egg content make fresh pasta prone to spoilage.
Dried egg pasta: Best by 1 year after production date on packaging. Eggs shorten shelf life compared to just semolina/flour and water pasta.
Dried durum wheat pasta: Best by up to 2 years after production thanks to very low moisture content. 100% durum wheat pasta keeps longest.
Gluten-free pasta: Best by 6-12 months. Alternative flours like rice or quinoa flour shorten shelf life compared to wheat.
Whole wheat pasta: Best by 1-1.5 years due to higher fat content than durum wheat pasta. Store especially carefully.
Artisan pasta shapes: More delicate shapes like orginali keep 1 year; heartier shapes like rigatoni keep 2 years.
So egg-free, durum wheat pasta offers the longest unrefrigerated shelf life before going stale in quality and texture. More delicate or fresh pasta varieties should be eaten closer to production date for best flavor and performance.
How to Tell When Cooked Leftover Pasta Goes Bad
Cooked pasta leftovers have a shorter shelf life than dried pasta, since cooking introduces moisture that allows microbial growth. Here are tips for determining when cooked pasta has expired and is no longer safe to eat:
– Discard pasta that sits at room temperature more than 2 hours after cooking. Toxin-producing bacteria can grow rapidly.
– Leftover pasta should be refrigerated within 1 hour of cooking. Only keep for 3-5 days in the fridge.
– Mark containers with date cooked. Never consume cooked pasta more than 5 days old.
– Check for off smells, appearance of mold, or slime formation, which signal spoilage.
– Don’t taste obviously spoiled pasta. Discard immediately if expired.
– When reheating refrigerated pasta, check that internal temperature reaches 165°F.
– Freeze cooked pasta in airtight containers to extend shelf life to 2-3 months.
Following proper storage methods, cooked pasta leftovers stay safe for 3-5 days in the fridge. But they can develop an unappealing smell, color, or slimy texture due to moisture loss, so they don’t taste great. For best quality, eat leftovers within 3 days and don’t freeze for more than 2-3 months.
Tips for Using Up Expired Pasta
To use up older pasta rather than wasting expired boxes, try these tips:
– In soups or casseroles – Hide any off flavors or textures in strongly flavored, saucy dishes.
– Overbake dishes – Baked pastas like ziti or lasagna can mask staleness. Cook 10-15 minutes longer.
– Make pasta salads – The flavorings and acidity help mask staleness. Rinse before mixing.
– Boost seasoning – Spices, herbs, garlic, and onions disguise off notes in expired pasta.
– Freeze for later – Portion into recipe-size amounts and freeze for future meals.
– Breadcrumbs – Grind very stale pasta into panko breadcrumbs using a food processor.
– Farm animal food – Check with local farms if they accept old pasta to feed livestock like chickens.
With creative uses like adding to salads, casseroles, or soups, you can put moderately expired pasta to good use. But if the pasta is heavily spoiled or moldy, it’s safest to discard it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get food poisoning from eating expired pasta?
Properly stored dried pasta that shows no sign of spoilage is very unlikely to cause food poisoning or contain pathogens. Exceptions are if it is moldy or infested with bugs, which are signs of major spoilage that allows illness-causing bacteria to grow.
How can you revive stale pasta?
To help revive stale, expired pasta, rinse under cool water for 30 seconds to rehydrate before cooking. Then allow 2-4 extra minutes of cooking time to soften. Finish sauces with a bit of extra oil or butter to coat noodles. Limit seasoning with salty ingredients like cheese or olives which can overly emphasize staleness.
Is it bad to eat pasta that smells funny or tastes bad?
Yes, you should avoid eating pasta with an unpleasant smell or taste. That indicates spoilage and possible bacterial growth. Discard any expired pasta with an unnatural or strongly musty odor instead of risking foodborne illness from contamination.
Can moldy pasta make you sick if you cook it thoroughly?
It’s not recommended because some mold toxins can remain on pasta even after cooking. The mold itself may be killed by cooking, but the mycotoxins could still cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal distress if consumed. Always discard visibly moldy pasta.
How can you tell if cooked pasta has gone bad in the fridge?
Signs that cooked pasta leftovers in the refrigerator have spoiled include an unpleasant sour smell, change in color, slimy texture, appearance of mold, or bubbles on the surface. Cooked pasta also expires after 3-5 days. When in doubt, throw it out.
The Bottom Line
Most properly stored dried pasta can safely be eaten for a long time after its printed expiration date. But it’s smart to inspect expired pasta closely and look for any signs of spoilage before cooking and consuming it. If the uncooked pasta smells normal and is free of visible mold, bugs, or other contamination, eating it beyond the best by date should not present any major health risks, although the texture and taste will decline over time.
Pay closer attention to the handling of cooked pasta leftovers, which have a shorter shelf life of just 3-5 days in the fridge. Following food safety best practices when cooking, storing, and reheating pasta helps prevent foodborne illnesses. With reasonable care and caution, both dried and cooked pasta can be safely enjoyed past their prime.
