Spaghetti is a common food option in every celebration. As such, if one is to ask kids, there is no such thing as too much spaghetti sauce. But when in the face of a container full of excess spaghetti sauce, one would hope that there is a way to preserve it. Therefore, is it possible to freeze spaghetti sauce?
Quick Answer
Yes! Spaghetti sauce is one of the pasta sauces that can be frozen easily. Usually, these tomato-based sauces freeze well and can be thawed relatively easier than meat-based ones or the creamy variant. Thus, it is now okay to prepare more than estimated if one knows the techniques in properly freezing spaghetti sauce.
To preserve spaghetti sauce the longest and retain its taste and texture, one must follow a detailed and carefully-time procedure. If done correctly, the spaghetti sauce will maintain its optimal taste for the next few days.
Can You Freeze Spaghetti Sauce?
Freezing spaghetti sauce is relatively simple, but there are several precautions to ensure the quality of the sauce after freezing. Here are several ideas and tips for freezing spaghetti sauce:
When freezing spaghetti sauce, make sure to use airtight containers that are made specifically for freezing in order to avoid leaks or absorbing odors from other food in the freezer.
Also, sit the spaghetti sauce to cool down before putting it in the container for freezing. However, avoid letting it sit out for too long because bacteria accumulates fast, especially in tomato-based sauces.
While letting it sit, most people tend to leave it uncovered to accelerate the cooling process. Consequently, it also accelerates bacterial growth. Thus, it is important to keep the sauce covered to prevent any contamination and stall bacterial growth.
If unsure whether freezing the spaghetti sauce is a good idea in terms of preserving taste and texture, pour a cooled down spaghetti sauce in a small container and follow the freezing and thawing steps below to see if it retains its richness.
Some people prefer to freeze the spaghetti sauce with the pasta. While this is entirely possible as well, one has to undercook the pasta to retain its texture during thawing and reheating.
How to Freeze Spaghetti Sauce?
There are several ways to freeze spaghetti sauce depending on its ingredients, texture, and quantity. However, here are the fundamental steps for freezing common spaghetti sauce:
- After cooking the spaghetti sauce, do not remove the cover and let it sit for 30-45 minutes for cooling. The difference in temperature between the freezer and the spaghetti sauce can damage the freezer, or it can expand and blow up the container holding the hot spaghetti sauce.
- Transfer a portion of the sauce into a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave about an inch of space to allow the spaghetti sauce to expand as it freezes.
- Make several small batches of cool spaghetti sauce in several containers to avoid accelerating spoilage from frequent re-opening. Usually, people use bags or several airtight containers, but any container would do as long as it has no cracks or crevices.
- If one wants to freeze spaghetti sauce with the pasta, undercook the pasta by letting it sit in running water for several seconds as soon as it is removed from the boiling water. Afterwards, mix the undercooked pasta with the cooled down spaghetti sauce for freezing.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Spaghetti Sauce?
Spaghetti sauce is a versatile and delicious condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what do you do when you have extra spaghetti sauce? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover spaghetti sauce:
- Use it as a pizza topping – Spaghetti sauce makes a great alternative to traditional pizza sauce. Just spread it over your favorite crust, and you’ve got a delicious and unique pizza that everyone will love.
- Make a meatloaf – Looking for a new way to make meatloaf? Try adding some spaghetti sauce to the mix! Just add it in with your other ingredients, and you’ll have a flavorful and moist meatloaf that everyone will love.
- Give your tacos a twist – Spaghetti sauce can also be used as a taco filling. Just add it in with your ground beef and other taco toppings, and you’ve got a delicious and unique twist on the classic dish.
- Make a spaghetti pie – Spaghetti pie is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Just add some spaghetti sauce to a pie crust, top with cheese and bake. You’ll have a delicious and hearty meal that everyone will love.
- Use it as a dip – Spaghetti sauce can also be used as a dip for breadsticks or vegetables. Simply heat it up and enjoy!
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover spaghetti sauce. Next time you find yourself with extra sauce, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Spaghetti Sauce Recipes
Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
One can elevate a simple spaghetti sauce to a whole new level using ground beef. It also adds different options for the sauce aside from mixing it with pasta; a popular option is nacho dip.
Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
Meatballs also make a good complement for the spaghetti sauce—most especially the Italian style. Because of the delicate mixture of the unique ingredients of Italian spaghetti sauce, it brings more life into a simple meatball recipe.
Spaghetti Sauce with Bolognese
Yet another Italian-inspired recipe, Spaghetti sauce with Bolognese brings a household favorite to accentuate the common spaghetti sauce. Mixed with several vegetable ingredients, it produces a whirlpool of flavor that makes for an authentic Italian recipe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rfOK6A5ZZs
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze spaghetti sauce. Frozen spaghetti sauce will last up to two months if stored properly. You’ll need to put it in an airtight container, make sure it has no extra air at the top of the jar/container, seal tightly, label with today’s date and put in the freezer.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. Let us know your experience with freezing spaghetti sauce by leaving a comment below. Thank you for stopping by!