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I sometimes cook more pasta than I intend to eat or use at once and store the rest in a container in the fridge (just plain, cooked pasta). How long would it store safely for?

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What kind of pasta? The sugars in each kind may differ – Joe Jul 19 '10 at 16:15
I'm not sure if you're asking about the shape or what it's made of? They are "mini shells" made from "100% hard amber durum semolina" in this case. I'm not sure if that answers your question :) – Daniel Vandersluis Jul 19 '10 at 16:23
100%, eh? I suspect your container lies to you. – Adam Shiemke Jul 19 '10 at 16:29
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@Adam manufacturers mean that 100% of the wheat is such-and-such. – Pointy Jul 19 '10 at 17:03

4 Answers

up vote 11 down vote accepted

http://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17887 is as good advice as any I'd give.

In my experience, it gets some slimy mold stuff on it. If it feels slimy, its probably not good to eat, although the mold might taste delicious, you never know...

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I LOVE that site. I highly recommend stilltasty.com for anyone looking to know how long to keep a food item and how to store it. – JustRightMenus Jul 19 '10 at 16:34
Some molds are antibiotics, too! :-p – ceejayoz Jul 19 '10 at 17:08
up vote 1 down vote

I've refrigerated pasta for 7 days or so before. I wouldn't keep it any longer. If it starts to grow fuzzies or smell off, don't eat it.

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In this particular case, it doesn't seem to smell but there was lots of condensation in the container and the pasta looks a bit "glossy", if that matters. – Daniel Vandersluis Jul 19 '10 at 16:22
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I wouldn't eat it then. If something looks like it might be bad, it's generally safer to leave it alone. I like to imagine that it's an instinctual response that causes us to question bad food. I trust it :) – hobodave Jul 19 '10 at 16:30
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Thanks. I suppose I was just being lazy because in the time I spent writing this question I could have already cooked fresh pasta :) (though on the other hand, I'd rather not waste food that is edible, right?) – Daniel Vandersluis Jul 19 '10 at 16:32
up vote 3 down vote

I don't keep plain cooked pasta or rice in the fridge for longer than 2 days. Both of these are starchy and pH neutral which makes a perfect environment for for mold / bacteria to grow.

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Store the pasta in the fridge in water. Water should just cover the pasta. It will keep for a good while. Better yet, when you drain and heat it in the microwave, it will taste good as new.

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