How Long Does Tomato Sauce Last in the Fridge?

Tomato sauce is a fridge staple that we often reach for throughout the week—whether it be already opened or a fresh jar from the pantry—so it’s important to know how long it lasts. There are so many delicious ways to use tomato sauce, such as making a quick weeknight pasta dinner or adding some to enhance the flavor of a stew. Ahead, food safety experts weigh in on how to know if pasta sauce is no longer tasty or safe to eat—and offer storage tips for both refrigerating and freezing your leftovers.

How Long Does Opened Pasta Sauce Last in the Refrigerator?

Once pasta sauce is opened, it should be used quickly. “After opening a high-acid canned food, like a tomato sauce, it can be stored safely in the refrigerator for five to seven days before being used,” says Shelley Feist, executive director of the Partnership for Food Safety Education. Check the sauce before using, even in this timeframe, to make sure it has not spoiled.

How Long Homemade Tomato Sauce Lasts in the Refrigerator 

Homemade tomato sauce isn’t made with shelf-stable preservatives so it has a shorter life in the refrigerator and generally will last for three to five days.

How to Tell When Pasta Sauce Has Spoiled

There are several telltale signs that tomato sauce has spoiled: It will look moldy, smell bad, or taste off. However, old pasta sauce—but not noticeably rotten—can still cause food poisoning and aside from mold, there are no other visible signs that tomato sauce is past its peak. “You can’t see, smell, or taste the bacteria that can cause a foodborne illness,” says Feist.

She recommends always reheating sauce to 145 degrees Fahrenheit before using it to kill any bacteria that is a result of mild spoilage. If you notice any unusual smell, particularly a sour or rotten smell, this is a sign your pasta sauce has spoiled and should be tossed out. If the sauce has been opened for less than five days, taste it before using; if it tastes off or sour in any way, it should be thrown out.

How to Store Tomato Sauce

Unopened jars of pasta sauce should be stored at room temperature in a cupboard or pantry. They can be kept for up to 18 months from the date of purchase. As outlined above, once opened, they should be used quickly to avoid spoilage.

Nicole Birmingham, senior vice president of research and development at Rao’s Homemade, points out that specific brands may last more or less time than others—but it’s important to keep all open sauces at a safe temperature (below 40 degrees). “How long a jar of pasta sauce will last in the refrigerator may depend on the ingredients used in the sauce, but you should refrigerate any sauce that won’t be cooked right away to maintain quality after opening,” she says.

Can You Freeze Pasta Sauce?

Once opened, jarred pasta can be frozen for longer storage. “You can freeze any unused sauce in an airtight container. Use it within six months for the best quality experience,” says Birmingham.

Homemade pasta sauce can also be frozen as long as it doesn’t contain cream or cheese. We suggest you freeze it in airtight containers or freezer bags sized for how much pasta sauce you generally need for one meal, rather than storing a large amount of sauce, which will take more space in the freezer, take longer to defrost, and may be more sauce than you need for a meal.