How Long can Mac and Cheese Last in Fridge?

If properly stored, mac and cheese can stay fresh for two years. As long as the container is still sealed, it should still taste good. However, if it’s older than a year, you should throw it out.

When you purchase large quantities of mac and cheese, always check the packaging to make sure the product is not past its prime. Knowing what to look for when purchasing mac and cheese will make your next meal a whole lot easier.

Let’s begin with the details of how long can mac and cheese can stay fresh in the fridge. It should last for three to four days in the fridge.

How Long Will Mac and Cheese Last in Fridge

How Long can Mac and Cheese Last in Fridge?

It should last for three to four days in the fridge. In case you were curious, macaroni salad keeps for about that long as well. The majority of people consider mac and cheese to be heavenly. Some people prefer to make their mac and cheese because they are purists.

Others, on the other hand, are fine with eating frozen or boxed mac & cheese.

You may start to wonder how long store-bought mac and cheese last if you find yourself with some at some time.

Even if you cook your mac & cheese, you will occasionally have leftovers.

Dry Mix

When stored properly, dry mix for mac and cheese will last for a couple of days to a week. It is important to store it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Also, keep it in a cool, dry place. Typically, this means the pantry or the fridge. The shelf life of mac and cheese depends on the ingredients.

There are many ways to store mac and cheese. The most obvious way is to freeze it or buy ready-to-eat varieties. However, mac and cheese that is made from scratch tastes better and will last longer in the fridge.

Freezing Mac and Cheese

Freezing mac and cheese is a simple process that requires little effort to prepare. You can use freezer-safe containers and sandwich bags to store large portions. Be sure to seal the containers well. If possible, use a permanent marker to label the contents. Be sure to wrap your mac and cheese individually in aluminum foil or freezer-safe bags.

Mac and cheese freeze better if it is creamier. The extra liquid helps maintain the moisture of the pasta when reheated. For this reason, use regular milk rather than skim milk. You can also use cream cheese, which will help thicken the sauce and reduce texture changes.

Can I Leave Mac and Cheese Out Overnight?

Sometimes our bodies are so worn out that we fail to remember that we left the baked mac and cheese out all night.

It’s a good thing mac and cheese is forgiving since there are several things you can do with it before throwing it away.

Determine whether your house is hot or humid first. Is the room warmer than 90 °F?

If you left the mac and cheese in the hothouse at room temperature, throw it away right away.

Between 40°F and 140°F, germs can multiply quickly, therefore the mac and cheese will be contaminated. Eating mac and cheese could cause food poisoning.

On the other hand, you can reheat the mac and cheese if your home has air conditioning that keeps the kitchen chilly.

If you won’t be reheating the mac and cheese, put it in the fridge or freezer right away.

Use a food-safe infrared thermometer to check that the mac and cheese have reached a temperature of 160°F or greater while reheating it.

How to Store Mac and Cheese Properly?

  1. The prepared mac and cheese need to be refrigerated in an airtight container or plastic zipper bag.
  2. Stored mac and cheese must always be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. It is always advisable to store mac and cheese at a lower temperature to maintain its freshness and quality for a long time because bacterial development occurs more quickly between temperatures of 40°F and 140°F.
  3. To prevent bacteria and microorganisms from growing in the airtight container as a result of moisture buildup brought on by hot mac and cheese, you should never keep hot cooked mac and cheese straight in the bag. The mac and cheese should be cooled before being placed in an airtight container.
  4. A prepared mac and cheese should never be left out on the counter for more than two hours since bacteria and other germs will contaminate it.
  5. Always keep your dry mac and cheese mix in a cool, dry place that is away from heat and light in your pantry.
  6. It is never a good idea to keep your mac and cheese dry mix in a damp area since it will lose quality if moisture somehow makes it there.

How to Tell if Mac and Cheese is Bad?

When it’s rotten, mac and cheese will let you know. If the mac and cheese are terrible, it will be clear to you.

Throw away the mac and cheese right away if you find any mold on it.

Additionally, if the mac and cheese have a strong rotten smell, it is probably bad. Discard it.

If the mac and cheese feel sticky when you eat it but there are no visible symptoms of mold or strange odors, toss it since it has gone bad.

Always remember to toss out mac and cheese if you have any doubts about its quality.

How Long does Frozen Baked Mac and Cheese Last?

The most durable mac and cheese are frozen. Baked mac and cheese should be frozen in its whole.

Make sure the mac and cheese are in a baking dish that can be frozen before baking it.

Additionally, let the mac and cheese cool entirely before firmly wrapping it in foil and plastic wrap.

The double wrapping will stop freezer burn from occurring in the mac & cheese.

Although baked mac and cheese from frozen can be consumed indefinitely, it is better to consume it within 2-4 months.

How to Defrost Cooked Mac and Cheese?

Step 1: Thaw
Place the frozen macaroni and cheese in the refrigerator after removing it from the freezer. Overnight mac and cheese defrost.

Step 2: Take Off the Packaging
Remove the aluminum foil and cling film once the item has thawed. The foil covering should be set aside since you might need it again.

Step 3: Warmth
You have the option of reheating baked mac in the oven, the microwave, or the stovetop now that the mac and cheese have thawed. You can add a little milk to the mac and cheese while reheating if it is dry after defrosting.

Put the thawed, unwrapped mac and cheese in a bowl that can be used for microwave cooking. Stir it in between each 1- to 2-minute interval of high-temperature cooking. Continue until it is well heated.

Place the thawed mac and cheese in a saucepan and add a few tablespoons of milk to the dish to heat on the stove. Stirring while heating on medium-low will help to ensure equal heating.

Oven heating: Set the oven’s temperature to 350°F (180°C). Put your defrosted, unwrapped mac and cheese in a dish that can go in the oven. The dish will stay wet if you cover it with foil. Depending on the size of the portion, bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

After it has heated all the way through, take off the foil and sprinkle cheese and breadcrumbs on top if you want a crispy topping. Just long enough for the food to turn golden brown, place the dish under the grill for 2 to 5 minutes.

Reference: Determining Shelf Life of Ready-to-Eat Macaroni and Cheese in High Barrier and Oxygen Scavenger Packaging Sterilized via Microwave-Assisted Thermal Sterilization

How to Thaw and Cook Unbaked Frozen Mac and Cheese?

You do not need to let frozen mac and cheese thaw overnight before baking it. Although cooking time will be reduced after thawing, if you’re not in a rush, you can just pop the frozen dish in the oven and let it do its thing.

Step 1: Warm the oven up
Achieve a 375 °F (190 °C) oven temperature.

Step 2: Defrost (Optional)
Skip forward to step 3 if you are cooking the mac and cheese after it has been frozen.

Make sure your macaroni and cheese are in a microwave-safe dish if you want to thaw it in the microwave before cooking. Take the foil off. Use the microwave’s ‘defrost’ setting, which is 30% power. If necessary, check the dish after seven minutes and let it defrost for a few more minutes.

Continue baking it in the oven as soon as it has thawed.

Step 3: Cover With Foil
Remove any cling film packaging from your dish, whether it is frozen or thawed, and only cover the top with foil. To stop any cheese or liquids from melting or dripping onto the oven’s bottom, place the dish on a baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake
Before putting the mac and cheese in the oven to bake, make sure the temperature is up to 375 °F (190 °C). Bake the foil-covered dish for 25 to 50 minutes depending on the size of the dish and whether it has been thawed.

Step 5: Bake after removing the foil
Only during baking does the foil remain on the dish. Bake the dish without the foil for a further five to twenty-five minutes. If your portions are small, bake them uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. If you are baking a large tray of mac and cheese, continue cooking it uncovered for another 25 minutes.

Step 6: Remove and cool
Once the top is golden brown, remove the mac and cheese from the oven. Switch the oven off. Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving as it will be piping hot.

Conclusion

With an in-depth examination of the shelf life of mac and cheese under various circumstances, we addressed the query “How long do mac and cheese last in the fridge” in this succinct guide. In addition, we talked about how to preserve mac and cheese properly and recognize subpar mac and cheese.