Sure, you can freeze cooked pasta. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it with spaghetti, shells, and other types. Great for last-minute meals, fast weeknight dinners, and reducing waste by saving leftovers!.
While it may seem impossible, having Instant Pot Beans, Homemade Chicken Stock, and even Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice in the freezer is the next best thing to waving a magic wand and dinner appearing on the table.
You guessed it—the same thing happens when you freeze cooked pasta. Have you ever thought about that?
As it turns out, you can. I had a TON of leftover pasta from the time I made a whole box of pasta without using my kitchen scale as I usually do.
As I thought about what we could do with the pasta so it wouldn’t go to waste, I asked myself, “Can I freeze cooked pasta?”
I know uncooked pasta has a long shelf life, but the question is does it freeze well?
Beef and noodles is a classic comfort food that never seems to go out of style. With tender beef, noodles, and a rich, beefy gravy, it’s easy to see why this dish has stood the test of time. Though this hearty meal is always a crowd-pleaser, leftovers are inevitable. Rather than tossing them or letting them go to waste, freezing is an excellent way to preserve beef and noodles so you can enjoy it later.
But there are some important things you should know before you put the extra food in the freezer. This article will tell you everything you need to know to freeze beef and noodles that you have left over, such as:
- Can You Freeze Beef and Noodles?
- How to Prep Beef and Noodles for Freezing
- How to Freeze Beef and Noodles
- Frozen Storage Time for Beef and Noodles
- How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Beef and Noodles
- Tips for Freezing Beef and Noodles
Can You Freeze Beef and Noodles?
The good news is, yes, beef and noodles can be frozen! The components that make up this dish – the beef noodles, gravy and vegetables – all hold up well in the freezer.
If the beef tips are cooked all the way through to a safe temperature, they can be frozen and heated up later. When the egg noodles thaw, they might get a little soft, but they will still taste good. The gravy can be frozen and then thawed, though you might need to add a little more water. And frozen peas or other veggies mixed throughout will retain good quality.
Freezing is an excellent way to preserve the leftovers from a big batch of beef and noodles to enjoy later on It can also be prepared specifically to freeze in meal prep “ready-to-go” portions
How to Prep Beef and Noodles for Freezing
Here are some steps you can take to get beef and noodles ready to freeze:
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Cool it completely – Beef and noodles should be completely cool before freezing, otherwise you risk unsafe temperature conditions and potential bacteria growth. Allow the dish to come to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours until completely cooled.
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Portion it out – Decide on portions before freezing. To freeze beef and noodles, portion it out into airtight containers, zip-top freezer bags, or onto a foil-lined sheet pan or casserole dish to freeze individually. Aim for 1-2 serving size portions.
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Avoid overfilling containers – Leave about 1 inch of headspace in containers or zip-top bags to allow for expansion as the beef and noodles freeze. Overfilled containers can lead to rupture or cracks.
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Wrap it up tight – Make sure containers, bags or foil-wrapped portions are tightly sealed or wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Freezer burn can lead to off-flavors and dryness.
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Label it – Label each portion with the contents and freeze date so you know what’s inside and how long it’s been frozen.
How to Freeze Beef and Noodles
Once prepped, there are a few methods for freezing beef and noodles:
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Freezer bags – Portion beef and noodles into zip-top freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air and seal bags. Lay flat to freeze.
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Airtight containers – Divide into single or multi-serving portions in rigid airtight containers. Make sure lids are securely closed before freezing.
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Foil-wrapped – Place individual portions on a foil-lined sheet pan or casserole dish. Wrap each tightly in foil and freeze. Once solid, unwrap and place foil packets in a freezer bag.
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Sheet pan – Spread beef and noodles in a single layer on a foil-lined sheet pan. Freeze until solid. Break up into pieces and transfer to freezer bags.
No matter which freezing method you choose, be sure to freeze beef and noodles flat or in a single layer. This allows the food to freeze quickly and evenly for best quality.
Frozen Storage Time for Beef and Noodles
Properly stored in the freezer, beef and noodles will maintain best quality for:
- Freezer bags or airtight containers: 2-3 months
- Foil-wrapped portions: 1-2 months
The noodles may suffer some degradation in texture over longer frozen storage. The gravy can also weep liquid and separate a bit upon thawing.
For optimal freshness and quality, aim to eat frozen beef and noodles within 2-3 months. Properly seal or wrap portions to help prevent freezer burn over longer periods.
How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Beef and Noodles
Thawing and reheating frozen beef and noodles is simple. Here are some tips:
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Thaw in the refrigerator – For food safety, thaw frozen beef and noodles overnight in the refrigerator. This prevents bacteria growth.
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Or thaw in the microwave – For quicker thawing, use the defrost setting in the microwave. Then immediately cook.
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Add broth when reheating – If the gravy has separated or appears dry upon thawing, stir in a splash of beef broth to revive it.
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Reheat on the stovetop – For best results, reheat beef and noodles in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
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Simmer, don’t boil – Gently simmer until heated through, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling to prevent scorching or drying out.
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Check internal temperature – Check the internal temperature using a food thermometer to ensure the beef has reached 165°F.
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Don’t refreeze – Do not refreeze beef and noodles after thawing. Refreezing can lead to food safety risks.
When thawed and reheated properly, frozen beef and noodles regains its flavors and textures for an easy reheated meal.
Tips for Freezing Beef and Noodles
Follow these tips for freezing beef and noodles like a pro:
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Use fresh ingredients – Start with fresh, high quality beef, noodles and produce for best results after freezing.
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Undercook the noodles slightly – The noodles will soften more during freezing and reheating, so undercook them by 1 minute before chilling and freezing.
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Cool completely before freezing – Chilling beef and noodles in the fridge before freezing prevents food safety risks.
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Freeze in single layers – Avoid freezing in big clumps or blobs. Freeze in a thin, even layer for fast, consistent freezing.
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Avoid overfilling containers – Leave headspace in bags or containers to accommodate expansion during freezing.
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Use freezer-safe packaging – Use bags and containers meant for the freezer to prevent ruptures or cracks.
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Label portions – Include contents and freeze date so you know what’s inside and how long it’s been frozen.
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Don’t freeze too long – For best quality and texture, use frozen beef and noodles within 2-3 months.
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Thaw safely in the fridge – Thaw frozen beef and noodles slowly in the refrigerator, never on the counter or at room temperature.
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Add broth when reheating – If needed to revive texture, stir in beef broth when reheating previously frozen beef and noodles.
More Tips for Freezing Leftovers
The tips for freezing beef and noodles can be applied to freezing many other leftovers as well:
- Chilis, stews and soups
- Casseroles like lasagna
- Cooked grains like rice or quinoa
- Mashed potatoes
- Cooked chicken pieces or shredded chicken
- Fresh herbs in oil or butter
The key rules apply across the board – cool completely before freezing, use proper packaging, freeze in thin layers, label portions and thaw and reheat properly for food safety and the best quality.
Enjoy Leftover Beef and Noodles Again
Beef and noodles makes tasty leftovers, but they don’t need to languish in the fridge until they’re wasted. By freezing properly portioned leftovers, you can enjoy this comforting dish again later.
With a few simple tips, beef and noodles can be easily frozen for 2-3 months and thawed and reheated when you get the craving for this hearty, homestyle favorite. Freezing lets you make the most of leftovers and always have a hot meal ready to enjoy.
Can You Freeze Pasta: Tips & Tricks
- Salt the water you use to cook your pasta noodles. This makes the pasta taste good right from the start, so it will be tasty no matter what you do with it later.
- To avoid freezer burn, take out as much air as you can from a freezer-safe bag before putting it in the freezer. Food that has been frozen and burned is still safe to eat, but it may be dry and the taste may change. This is a good way to add more pasta until you have enough for a whole meal when you only have a small amount.
- If freezing in a container that can be used again, make sure it’s the right size for the amount of pasta. So that it doesn’t freeze burn, you should fill or almost fill your container right away. This is a good way to cook more than one pasta dish at once or plan your meals ahead of time.
FAQs to Freeze Cooked Pasta
For small and/or short pasta, the best way to freeze pasta is to place it in a single layer on a baking sheet until the individual noodles are frozen through. This prevents clumping of noodles later when you go to use the frozen noodles.
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FAQ
Do beef and noodles freeze well?
Can you refreeze beef and noodles?
Can you freeze and reheat noodles?
Can you freeze cooked stir fry noodles?