The Best Way To Store Dried Pasta, According To a Chef

Of the many, many things I love about pasta, at the top of the list is convenience. It is, hands down, the dish I make the most when I’m short on time or haven’t gone shopping in a while. I always have at least a few packages of dried spaghetti or rigatoni kicking around, and even a fancy-seeming pasta recipe is ready in about half an hour. And unlike the questionably-fresh block of tofu lurking in the back of my fridge, dried pasta doesn’t go bad… or does it?

After a Spruce Eats editor experienced a case of pasta-eating pantry weevils, I panicked about the longevity of my own stash. Was it safe from bugs and other such creatures? What about that open box of lumache I bought eight months ago? Would that ever go bad? What if it was already?!

To get some answers, I consulted two pasta professionals, Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow, the co-executive chefs of Flour + Water and Flour + Water Foods. (I’m a big fan of their elbow macaroni — highly recommend it in a stovetop mac.) I grilled them on the best ways to store dried pasta, how long it lasts, and if it ever really goes bad. Turns out, that cabinet above your stove is *not* the best place to store your pasta!

Pasta Alfredo

Top line: What's the best way to store an unopened box of dried pasta? Is it as simple as it seems?

Like all pantry staples, dried pasta should be stored in a cool, dry place, so avoid any storage spaces that are too close to your stove/oven or other appliances that generate heat.

What about the best way to store opened pasta boxes?

It's generally fine to keep the pasta sealed in the original box. That said, if you live in a humid or warm environment, the excess moisture in the air can impact the quality of the pasta. In those settings, we recommend transferring the opened pasta to an airtight container. If your pantry is also prone to pests, this is another factor to consider as moths can be attracted to grain-based products and can get in through tiny crevices.

Is it any better to decant pasta into glass or plastic storage containers?

While pasta is durable and has a long shelf-life both unopened and opened due to its very low moisture content, if you are concerned about external factors impacting its quality, we recommend airtight glass containers for storage.

What are the biggest mistakes cooks make with storing dried pasta?

Storing any pantry items above or near a hot appliance can impact quality. For example, when you're boiling your pasta water on your stove, you're generating a lot of steam that can create moisture in your dried pantry goods. This is also why it's better to measure out the amount of pasta you'll be cooking versus directly pouring the pasta from the box into the steaming boiling water.

How long is the shelf life of dried pasta? Opened vs. unopened?

As long as the pasta is properly stored and hasn't been exposed to excess moisture, dried pasta (both opened and unopened) should keep for up to two years. That said, it's always a good idea to reference the best by or expiration dates for optimal quality. If you've had the pasta in your pantry for a while and are concerned about safety, inspect the texture. Pasta that's past its prime will be brittle and start to crack.