• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • Welcome to the Good Cheap Eats Kitchen
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Posts
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Summer Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Join the Club
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Join the Club
    • Cookbooks
    • About
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Kitchen Tips » Freezer Cooking

    Can you freeze spaghetti sauce?

    Published: Feb 2, 2023 · Modified: Feb 5, 2023 by Jessica Fisher

    FacebookTweetPinPrint
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Can you freeze spaghetti sauce? The answer is, “Yes! And you should!”

    Whether you make a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce or have leftover sauce in a jar from the store, freezing spaghetti sauce is a great way to avoid food waste, save money, and have a yummy pasta sauce ready and waiting for your next craving.

    Learn these quick and simple ways to freeze pasta sauce.

    the sauce ready to freeze in containers. this …

    Want to save this post?

    Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

    Save Recipe

    Jump to:
    • How freezing spaghetti sauce can help you
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Best Recipes for Using Spaghetti Sauce
    • Tell us what you think!
    • How to Freeze Spaghetti Sauce

    It’s happened before. You open the fridge and see jars of half-used pasta sauces in the door, waiting to be used, but you forgot about them. Oops.

    This happened to us a lot in the past. The food waste was embarassing, and the cost certainly added up.

    Raising children and getting out of debt — either simultaneously or as separate seasons of life can teach you a thing or two. One being that anytime you can freeze leftover food for another time, you’re buying yourself some precious minutes. Another being anytime you can save food, you’re saving money!

    Even if it’s just a half-used jar of sauce.

    How freezing spaghetti sauce can help you

    1. You avoid wasting perfectly good food.

    2. You save money because you don’t have to buy more to replace what you wasted.

    3. You enjoy great meals because you can easily grab what you need from the freezer. Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage & Cheese comes together in a flash!

    4. You can make a bulk batch of your favorite sauce recipe, like our Marinara Sauce Simple Enough for Everyday, and know what to do with it.

    Ingredients

    You can do this with homemade spaghetti sauce as well as jarred sauce, but we’ll use a big batch of homemade Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce because it’s easy and cheap to make! (Cheaper than the jar, ahem.)

    the completed sauce in the pot.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Having written Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook, I know my way around the freezer. Lots of what-to-do’s and what-not-to-do’s

    Here’s how to freeze spaghetti sauce:

    spaghetti sauce in souper cubes to be frozen for later.
    1. If the sauce is hot or even warm, allow it to chill completely. Cold food freezes more quickly eliminating the risk of freezer burn or large ice crystals.
    2. Divide the sauce into usable portions. This will vary by household and how you plan to use it after thawing. If you want to use the sauce for pizza, you’ll want ½ cup portions. For a lasagna, you’ll need 3 to 4 cups.
    3. Use freezer-safe containers. This could be Souper Cubes, plastic containers with lids, or even ziptop freezer bags.
    4. Label the containers with the content’s name and the date you’re freezing it. This way you can easily grab what you need from the freezer without having to inspect things too closely and waste valuable time.
    5. Store the containers in the freezer until ready to use. While frozen food is safe indefinitely if stored under 0 degrees, it can lose taste and texture over time. Frozen sauce should be good in a home freezer for about 2 to 3 months.

    When ready to serve: thaw in the fridge and reheat to serve.

    FAQs

    Can you freeze spaghetti sauce in glass jars?

    You can freeze in glass jars, however there are several things to do to prevent the jar from cracking. Do not fill it all the way full; instead leave about an inch headspace. Chill completely, then transfer the jars without lids to the freezer. Set them level in the freezer with space around them, so they don’t touch anything. Once frozen, gently twist on the lids, but not too tightly.

    Can you freeze spaghettis sauce in ziploc bags?

    You can freeze sauce in ziploc bags, however you will want to use the higher quality bags designed for the freezer. Label them prior to filling. Once you’ve filled the bag, remove as much air as possible and seal it carefully. Lay the bags carefully on a tray in the freezer. Once firm, you can remove the tray and line the bags up in a bin or on a shelf.

    Can you freeze spaghetti sauce after 5 days?

    Per the USDA, prepped food is good for up to 4 days when refrigerated properly. It should be frozen prior to the 4th day to ensure freshness and safety.

    Best Recipes for Using Spaghetti Sauce

    Having frozen spaghetti sauce on hand makes it so easy to make an impromptu Chicken Parmesan or simply add some ground beef for an easy pasta dinner. Check out these other ways to use the sauce you freeze:

    • spoonful of pasta over larger bowl of instant pot pasta.
      Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage & Cheese
    • table set with lasagna, salad, and stack of plates
      Mexican Lasagna to Spice Up Your Night
    • a plate with a Meatball sub
      Meatball Sub Recipe (with a Freezer Option)
    • cut pizzawiches stacked with cheese pull dripping down.
      3-Ingredient Pizzawiches
    white spoon and fork on a teal plate logo.

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    spaghetti sauce in souper cubes to be frozen for later.

    How to Freeze Spaghetti Sauce

    Freezing spaghetti sauce is a great way to save money and avoid food waste, whether you make a bulk batch of homemade sauce or just have a half-used jar to save.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sauces
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 59kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Cost: $2

    Equipment

    • freezer-safe containers such as Souper Cubes, plastic containers with lids, or freezer ziptop bags

    Ingredients

    • 4 cup your favorite spaghetti sauce

    Instructions

    • If the sauce is hot or even warm, allow it to chill completely. Cold food freezes more quickly eliminating the risk of freezer burn or large ice crystals.
      4 cup your favorite spaghetti sauce
    • Divide the sauce into usable portions. This will vary by household and how you plan to use it after thawing. If you want to use the sauce for pizza, you'll want ½ cup portions. For a lasagna, you'll need 3 to 4 cups.
    • Use freezer-safe containers. This could be Souper Cubes, plastic containers with lids, or even ziptop freezer bags.
    • Label the containers with the content's name and the date you're freezing it. This way you can easily grab what you need from the freezer without having to inspect things too closely and waste valuable time.
    • Store the containers in the freezer until ready to use. While frozen food is safe indefinitely if stored under 0 degrees, it can lose taste and texture over taime. Frozen sauce should be good in a home freezer for about 2 to 3 months.
    • When ready to serve: thaw in the fridge and reheat to serve.

    Notes

    Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on the sauce used. Per the USDA, prepped food is good for up to 4 days when refrigerated properly. Spaghetti sauce should be frozen prior to the 4th day to ensure freshness and safety.
    To freeze in glass jars: there are several things to do to prevent the jar from cracking. Do not fill it all the way full; instead leave about an inch headspace. Chill completely, then transfer the jars without lids to the freezer. Set them level in the freezer with space around them, so they don’t touch anything. Once frozen, gently twist on the lids, but not too tightly.
    To freeze sauce in ziploc bags: you will want to use the higher quality bags designed for the freezer. Label them prior to filling. Once you’ve filled the bag, remove as much air as possible and seal it carefully. Lay the bags carefully on a tray in the freezer. Once firm, you can remove the tray and line the bags up in a bin or on a shelf.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1161mg | Potassium: 728mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1061IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.

    This post was originally published on October 3, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.

    « Get a Month of 30-Minute Meals
    Potsticker Dipping Sauce »
    FacebookTweetPinPrint

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heather

      April 18, 2020 at 12:56 pm

      I would love to try freezing sauces but u
      I do not have enough space for a tray to lay them flat, can I just put the bag in the freezer and deal with a frozen lump?

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        April 18, 2020 at 1:42 pm

        You don’t need sauces to lay flat, it’s just handy for storage later. You can absolutely deal with a lump or even store in containers.

        Reply
    2. Lisa

      October 04, 2012 at 1:02 pm

      Loving this series! I’m always looking for ways to save money in the kitchen, and “more freezer cooking” is definitely on my to-do list for that reason.
      A different way to freeze pasta sauce is to make a double batch of the sauce, and make sure to cook extra noodles. Layer sauce, noodles, and cheese in a casserole dish and voila….Baked Spaghetti ready for the freezer. I try to do this every time we have spaghetti, and it only adds a few minutes to the supper clean-up.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 04, 2012 at 4:29 pm

        @Lisa, that’s a great idea! I wish my family liked baked spaghetti! Maybe I should try it again.

        Reply
      • Claire

        October 04, 2012 at 7:13 pm

        @Lisa, like your idea of the baked spaghetti!

        Reply
        • Laura C

          October 05, 2012 at 11:21 am

          I almost always maked baked spaghetti for the freezer after we have spaghetti for dinner.

    3. Jennifer

      October 03, 2012 at 9:30 pm

      What a great idea to put them on a tray so they hold their shape!

      I am really enjoying your 31 Days of Freezer Cooking and I can’t wait to read your book!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 04, 2012 at 5:31 am

        Thanks!

        Reply
    4. Lori

      October 03, 2012 at 1:37 pm

      I would love to try your vegetable bolognese but do not like eggplants. What should I sub in its place? More zucchini? Pre-ordered your cookbook last night. Can’t wait to read it!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 04, 2012 at 4:49 pm

        @Lori, I think you could sub any of those other vegetables or even add something like mushrooms. I didn’t have zucchini the last time I made it so I added mushrooms. Very tasty.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • close up of crockpot enchiladas on a blue plate with fork and salad.
      Easy Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas
    • close up of freezer burrito cut in half in paper-lined basket.
      Easy Freezer Burrito Recipe with Chicken, Beans, & Cheese
    • overhead shot of bowl of salsa verde beef.
      Shredded Salsa Verde Beef (5-Ingredient Recipe)
    • side view of buffalo chicken quesadillas with filling coming out of sides.
      Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
    • jar of jalapeño salsa with sliced chiles on top and bunch of cilantro and whole on table beside.
      Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe [VIDEO]
    • spoon of chicken taco soup over the bowl of soup.
      Chicken Taco Soup

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe
    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • chicken enchilada bake on plate with side dishes.
      60+ Budget-Friendly Mexican Dinner Ideas
    • close up of chips in black bowl.
      3 Ways to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
    • the finished plate of loaded nachos.
      Nacho Bar
    • cooked taco meat in oval dish with taco toppings nearby.
      Easy Homemade Taco Meat
    • overhead shot of jalapeno cream cheese dip with sliced jalapeños on top and a spoon twirled in the cheese.
      Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
    • closeup of Spanish brown rice in white bowl.
      Spanish Brown Rice (Mexican Brown Rice)

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Shipping Policy
    • Return Policy
    • Digital Shop

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Good Cheap Eats

    souper cubes and containers of spaghetti sauce, with text overlay.