Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve made the best batch of alfredo sauce and want to save it for future meals? Well, I’m here to tell you that you can indeed save your alfredo sauce for future uses. I’ve researched all the ways to freeze and reheat an alfredo sauce to get it tasting just as fresh.
Loved by many worldwide, not just Italians, Alfredo sauce is a rich white creamy pasta sauce that can be eaten and enjoyed for almost any meal of the day. You can get alfredo sauce readymade in a jar or make it at home. Whichever you may have, you’ll be happy to know that you can freeze both readymade and homemade alfredo sauces.
Read on to learn all the ins and outs of freezing alfredo sauce. I’ll share how-tos and tips on freezing and defrosting alfredo sauce in your very own kitchen.
Can You Freeze Alfredo Sauce?
Many pasta lovers love to freeze marinara or tomato-based sauces for future cooking, but when it comes to a creamy-based sauce like alfredo sauce, that’s where the uncertainty lies.
You might have heard that you can’t freeze alfredo sauce as it’s high in fat from all the cream and cheese, and it won’t taste the same after freezing.
But actually, yes, you can freeze alfredo sauce! If you freeze it correctly with the tips I’ll share below, it will be just as delicious as it is when fresh.
Not only does freezing significantly extend the shelf-life of the sauce, but you can also avoid wasting any leftovers.
Does Alfredo Sauce Freeze Well?
As mentioned before, alfredo sauce has a high-fat content. This means the sauce tends to separate and, like any cream sauce, it can be rather tricky to freeze. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t freeze it well.
I’ve tried and tested all the different ways to freeze, thaw, and reheat alfredo sauce and have come up with the best methods and some tips you can follow. You can also try these methods with other similar cream sauces too.
Whether you’re dealing with store-bought or homemade alfredo sauce, both can be frozen just as well. All that matters is that you freeze it correctly, before defrosting and heating it right to get that thick creamy sauce we all love.
How to Freeze Alfredo Sauce
How you freeze alfredo sauce is crucial to retaining the quality and taste of the sauce. Getting this right also makes future thawing easier.
All you need to freeze alfredo sauce is some time, a freezer-safe sealable bag or container, and your sauce.
Here’s how to freeze alfredo sauce:
Wait for the sauce to cool down. If your alfredo sauce is straight from the jar, skip this step. If it’s homemade, wait for it to cool down to avoid lumping when freezing. Storing hot or warm food in the freezer will also alter the freezer’s temperature and cause the surrounding food to thaw and refreeze.
Pour the sauce into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Pour your sauce into good quality, freezer-safe, sealable bag or an airtight container. To save plastic, you can also store the sauce in a freezer-safe glass jar. (Don’t use the jars that the sauce comes in – they will break!)
Ensure there is some extra space and seal. Leave some extra space at the top of the bag or container to allow the sauce to expand when frozen. Remember to tightly seal and close the bag and containers to avoid any spillage.
Label the bag and store it. Lastly, to save yourself some time and confusion in the future, label your bag of sauces with the date and content for future reference and store it in your freezer.
Tips For Freezing Alfredo Sauce Well
Here are some other extra steps and tips I’ve learned so you can make sure you freeze your alfredo sauce well.
- Portion and freeze your sauce in smaller bags for individual servings. If you’re cooking just for yourself or two, using smaller bags. This will save you from defrosting a whole batch of sauce. This will ensure that you only defrost what you need, and there will be no waste.
- Use clear containers or bags so you can easily see the contents inside. This is exceptionally handy if you’re forgetful, like me, and don’t remember to label your containers in your freezer.
- Vacuum seal the bags. If you have a vacuum sealer at home, this is the perfect time to use it! Vacuum sealed bags will be safe in your freezer as you can just lay the bags of sauce flat. It also ensures that no air enters, keeping the sauce as fresh as possible.
- To cool the sauce down faster, place it in the fridge before freezing. Keeping it in the fridge at least 2 hours after cooking will help maintain the sauce’s optimal quality.
How to Defrost Frozen Alfredo Sauce
Freezing your alfredo sauce is just the first step. Knowing how to defrost and reheat your frozen alfredo sauce will be key to achieving a creamy and delicious alfredo sauce.
Firstly, it’s normal for your sauce to separate while freezing or even while it’s defrosting. Don’t worry. With the method I’m sharing below, you can never go wrong with defrosting or reheating frozen alfredo sauce.
Defrost your sauce in the fridge overnight or at least 12 hours until it is soft. Defrosting in a fridge will take longer, but it also ensures minimal bacteria growth and the best consistency for reheating the alfredo sauce.
Reheat your sauce in a pan. You may add some olive oil to your pan before heating your alfredo sauce. Reheat your sauce over medium-high heat. Cook for at least 10 – 15 minutes, depending on the heat and sauce.
Stir well with a whisk or wooden spoon. Your alfredo sauce may separate or curdle, and it’s okay. All you need to do is consistently stir well, almost beating it, for a few minutes or until it becomes well combined again.
If your alfredo sauce has a watery consistency, add some cornstarch. To make the cornstarch mixture: Mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with some water. Gradually add the mixture into your alfredo sauce when cooking. Bring the sauce to a simmer until it begins to thicken to your desired consistency.
Tips For Defrosting Alfredo Sauce Well
Just like freezing alfredo sauce, here are some handy tips and tricks you can do when defrosting and reheating alfredo sauce.
- When defrosting in the fridge, place your bag of frozen alfredo sauce in a bowl or shallow plate. If not, you’ll end up with a puddle of water in your fridge the next day from all the melting and condensation.
- If time is not on your hands, place your frozen alfredo sauce in a bowl of cold water. This will shorten the defrosting time. Periodically changing the water to warmer water can also save you a few minutes too.
- Add more cheese, milk, or cream to thicken the sauce. There are so many more alternatives other than cornstarch that you can use to thicken your alfredo sauce. To Learn more ways to make your alfredo sauce thicker by checking out our guide.
How to Tell if Alfredo Sauce Has Gone Bad
Sometimes freezing alfredo sauce may not always go right the first time. It might leave you wondering, has this alfredo sauce gone bad?
Since alfredo sauce is a cream-based pasta sauce, it will go bad faster than a tomato-based pasta sauce. It contains milk, cheese, and sometimes eggs, which are breeding grounds for bacteria.
The easiest way to tell if your alfredo sauce has gone wrong is by using your senses.
Smell
First, do a smell test. Give your alfredo sauce a sniff. If it smells sour or tangy similar to spoilt milk or cheese, then you’ll know it’s gone bad. If it smells anything other than alfredo sauce, then it probably has gone bad too, and you should discard it.
Sight
Another way is by sight. If the color or appearance of the alfredo sauce is odd and not what it used to be, it could also have gone bad. Sometimes, sauces might be overly watery or even develop mold. They are simple tell-tale signs that it has gone bad, and it’s best to throw the sauce away.
Taste
The last way to tell if your alfredo sauce has gone bad is by taste. Maybe it still smells and looks okay, but you, unfortunately, had a taste of your alfredo sauce – and it’s okay. If your alfredo sauce tastes gone off, sour or tangy, that means it has gone bad, and you should stop eating it immediately and throw it away.
Consuming a significant amount of alfredo sauce may give you an upset stomach, but a small bite will probably not cause you any harm.
How Long Does Alfredo Sauce Last?
Like any food, alfredo sauce will last as long as it can if you store it in the proper conditions. However, since it is rich in dairy, it has a significantly shorter shelf life than other pasta sauces.
| Type of Sauce | In the Fridge | In the Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Store Bought Alfredo Sauce | 5 - 7 days | 6 - 8 months |
| Homemade Alfredo Sauce | 3 - 4 days | 4 - 6 months |
| Thawed Alfredo Sauce | 3 - 4 days | Strongly advised not to be refrozen |
Store bought alfredo sauce is more likely to last longer than homemade alfredo sauce as the sauce is prepared in a controlled environment and contains preservatives.
Alfredo sauce can probably last in the freezer much longer than the stated time on the table above. However, the quality of your sauce may decrease after my recommended storage time.
Nonetheless, alfredo sauce will freeze well, especially so with all the tips and tricks you’ve learned today in this article.