ShelfLife
How long does pasta sauce last?
An unopened jar of pasta sauce keeps about 18 months in the pantry. Once opened, it keeps only 3 to 5 days in the fridge, about 4 days for jarred pasta sauce, so freeze what you won't use.
| Food | Fridge | Pantry |
|---|---|---|
| Pasta sauce in a jar | —Opened: 4 days | 18 monthsfrom purchase |
| Tomato sauce (pasta, pizza)Refrigerating unopened jars doesn't make them last longer. | —Opened: 3–5 days | Until the use-by date |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if pasta sauce has gone bad
- Mold, often white or green spots on the surface or under the lid: throw out the whole jar.
- A sour, fermented smell, or bubbles.
- A bulging lid or a jar that doesn't pop when first opened.
How to store pasta sauce
- Keep unopened jars in a cool, dark cupboard.
- Once opened, keep the sauce in the fridge, in its jar with the lid tight or in a sealed container.
- Write the opening date on the lid: 4 days goes quickly.
- Use a clean spoon, never one that's been in a pan of food.
Can you freeze pasta sauce?
Yes, and it freezes very well: tomato-based sauces keep several months. Freeze leftovers in a sealed container or freezer bag, leaving room for expansion, and thaw them in the fridge or reheat from frozen. Cream-based sauces may separate.
Questions
How long does an opened jar of pasta sauce last?
About 4 days in the fridge, according to the USDA, even though it's acidic and in a jar. Freeze anything you won't use by then.
Can you use pasta sauce after the best-by date?
An unopened jar in good condition, with a sealed lid, is usually fine past its date. Throw out jars with bulging or loose lids.
How long does homemade tomato sauce last?
3 to 4 days in the fridge, like other leftovers, and a few months in the freezer.
Add the opened jar to ShelfLife, and get a reminder before day 4.
Related foods
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.