Pasta is a cheap, easy, and very  healthy nutritional food source that can be used in a variety of dishes. Although dry pasta has a long shelf life, fresh pasta can go off quickly. Vacuum Sealing can allow your food to not only last longer, but also save space.

Should you Vacuum Seal Pasta and What Will You Need?

You definitely can and should vacuum seal your pasta to ensure freshness and create more storage space in your kitchen. All you'll need is whatever pasta you want to seal, a vacuum sealer machine to remove the air, and vacuum sealer bags (be sure you have the right ones for your equipment). A measuring scale can also a useful tool for accurately determining exactly how much pasta you wish to seal.

The Types of Pasta you can Vacuum Seal

·      Dry Pasta – Dry pasta is usually made of wheat and generally has a very long shelf life to begin with. Vacuum sealing it means it will last much longer. Dry pasta usually has a shelf life of around 1-2 years.

·      Egg Pasta – Egg pasta is fresh pasta made with eggs and wheat and usually has a much shorter shelf life when compared with traditional dry pasta. Fresh pasta usually has a shelf life of around 2-3 days at most, and vacuum sealing it will allow it to last much longer.

·      Gluten Free Pasta: Gluten free pasta is becoming more and more popular and can be made with a variety of different ingredients including chickpeas, corn, rice or even potato flour. Most gluten free pasta lasts around 1-2 years as it’s dry, but it’s worth checking the ingredients as they tend to vary from brand to brand.

·      Squid Ink Pasta: A unique delicacy but becoming more common in Supermarkets, Squid Ink Pasta is black in colour and is usually dry. The pasta itself has a shelf life of around 1-2 years but the ink itself has a shelf life of up to 4 years.

It’s generally not a good idea to try and vacuum seal filled pasta like ravioli or tortellini as they can be squashed and damaged when being sealed. Different meats, fish and seafood will all have different shelf lives so ensure you take this into consideration.

How to Vacuum Seal Pasta

Sealing your pasta is a quick and easy process, but there are several steps to take to ensure your pasta is sealed perfectly. If the steps aren’t followed precisely, air can be left within the bag or leaks may appear which can greatly affect the freshness of your pasta.

·       Measure Out The Exact Amount You Want To Store

Using either a scoop or a set of scales, measure out the exact amount you need, leaving to cool first if the pasta has recently been cooked.

·       Place The Pasta Into The Vacuum Bags

Be sure not to overfill the bag to guarantee a good seal. If you need to store more than your bag can hold, simply use an extra bag for the rest.

·       Seal One End of the Bag

To seal one end of the bag, follow the vacuum sealer machine's instructions, but be sure not to seal both.

·       Place The Bag in The Sealer

Ensure that the partially sealed bag is positioned correctly for the machine before placing it into the vacuum sealer machine and then turn it on.

·       Start the Machine

This will then remove all of the air from the bag. As a rule, the vacuum sealers will close the open end of the seal bag after the air has been completely removed and the process is completed.

·       Store Your Pasta

Now your pasta has been sealed, store it as you see fit based on how you planning on using it.

What are the Ways of Storing Vacuum Sealed Pasta

Depending on your needs, there are a huge number of different ways you can store your sealed pasta.

·      Freezer

If you aren’t planning on using your pasta again immediately, you can store it in the freezer to be frozen and then defrost it as you need it.

·      Pantry

If you have a pantry, this can be the perfect place to store your pasta for easy access as it’s cool and dark.

·      Containers

If you need an extra layer of freshness, storing the food in a sealed container ensures even further protection from the elements.

·      Cupboard

If you have a cupboard with space, this can also work providing there’s no strong scents or temperatures that could affect the pasta.

·      Fridge

If you plan on reheating the food soon, the fridge is the best place to keep it fresh as a short term solution.

What are the Benefits of Vacuum Sealing Pasta

·      Less Wastage – Vacuum Sealing adds time to the shelf life of your food products and means you can go longer without having to throw it away.

·      More Storage Space – If you have a huge container of pasta that is taking up too much space in your cupboard, or have made a meal that won’t fit in the fridge easily, vacuum sealing can help you save a lot of space and store your food easier.

·      Keeps Food Fresh – By vacuum sealing your cooked food, you can use it later that day for dinner, or even the next day or two for lunch. By keeping your food fresher for longer, it allows you to enjoy it for even longer instead of throwing it in the bin as soon as you’re finished with it.

Conclusion

A vacuum sealer can be a real asset in any home or kitchen as they can save you money every year in wasted food. Guaranteeing freshness for a much longer shelf life and allowing you to turn one big meal into several days’ worth of lunches means you’re making your food last longer and wasting less produce every day. Cooked pasta can be vacuum sealed and stored in the fridge for up to a week ensuring freshness and taste.