How long does pasta last?

Checked 24 Oct 20264 official publishers, 7 sources

Dry: 1-2 years in the pantry.

Official stance

“Cereals, crackers, chips, rice, and pasta Use for up to 2 years past the date marked on the package.” Extension

Storage times for pasta by state and place
StatePantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Dry 1-2 years Extension Sources disagree: 2 years FoodKeeperExtension Not stated Not stated
Dry, opened 1 year FoodKeeper Not stated Not stated
Dry egg noodles 2 years FoodKeeper Not stated Not stated
Dry egg noodles, opened 1-2 months FoodKeeper Not stated Not stated
Fresh Not stated 1-2 days FoodKeeper 2 months best quality FoodKeeper
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStatePantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Dry2 years--
Nebraska ExtensionDry1-2 years--
Utah State University ExtensionDry2 years--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Dry, opened1 year--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Dry egg noodles2 years--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Dry egg noodles, opened1-2 months--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fresh-1-2 days2 months

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • “It is not safe to add rice or pasta to any home canned product (i.e.: soup).” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper gives dry pasta made without eggs 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase and 1 year once the package is opened.1

Dry egg noodles start with the same 2 years unopened, but FoodKeeper gives them only 1 to 2 months in the pantry after opening.41

The Nebraska Extension chart lists pasta among its dry staples at 1 to 2 years in a pantry or cupboard at 50 to 70 °F.2

Utah State University Extension gives dried pasta 2 years of optimum storage at 10 to 12% moisture in a sealed container in a 70 °F basement.3

A University of Wisconsin Extension guide on product dating says pasta can be used for up to 2 years past the date marked on the package, and that dates on almost all food products are quality dates.6

For fresh pasta, FoodKeeper gives 1 to 2 days in the fridge and 2 months in the freezer, and no pantry time.5

None of these sources gives dry pasta a fridge or freezer time.123

Nebraska Extension also warns that it is not safe to add pasta to any home canned product such as soup.7

Rules that apply here

Best-by and use-by dates
FlourCooked rice

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 335: Pasta, dry, without eggs. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Pasta, dry, without eggs. DOP_Pantry: 2 Years; Pantry_After_Opening: 1 Years
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Pasta 1 to 2 years
  3. Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Pasta, dried 10 - 12% moisture sealed cont. 70°F basement 2 years
  4. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 336: Dry egg noodles. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Dry egg noodles. DOP_Pantry: 2 Years; Pantry_After_Opening: 1-2 Months
  5. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 332: Fresh pasta. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Fresh pasta. Refrigerate: 1-2 Days; Freeze: 2 Months
  6. Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cereals, crackers, chips, rice, and pasta Use for up to 2 years past the date marked on the package.
  7. Freezing Rice and Pasta | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. It is not safe to add rice or pasta to any home canned product (i.e.: soup).
  8. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.