Cooked Pasta
The answer
Cooked pasta lasts 3–5 days in the fridge and 1–2 months in the freezer.
Caution Pasta with meat, cream, or egg-based sauce follows the shorter 3–4 day leftover rule.
How long it keeps
Fridge (40°F) 3–5 days safe window
Freezer (0°F) 1–2 months best quality
Room temp 2 hours max then discard
Discard Discard if held above 40°F for more than 2 hours, or above 90°F for more than 1 hour.
By state & packaging
State Fridge Freezer
Plain cooked pasta 3–5 days 1–2 months
Pasta with sauce (meat/cream) 3–4 days 1–2 months
Dry, uncooked pasta — —
Signs it has gone bad
✕ Sour or off smell
✕ Slimy or gummy film
✕ Mold spots (white, green, or black)
FAQ
How long is spaghetti with meat sauce good in the fridge?
3–4 days — the meat sauce sets the limit. Freeze it if you won’t finish it by then.