How to Store Pasta Dough

Uncooked pasta dough can be frozen in a ball or in formed shapes.

Making pasta from scratch is a multi-step process that involves measuring, mixing, kneading, rolling and cutting. If you find yourself with more pasta dough than you need within the next 24 to 48 hours, store it for later use is by freezing it. Dough kept in the refrigerator for longer than that will dry out and lose its elasticity, but pasta dough from the freezer can be used to make anything from lasagna to linguine when you're ready for it.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy duty plastic wrap
• Plastic bag
• Baking sheet

Instructions

Dough Ball

1. Coat the dough with flour.

2. Wrap the dough ball tightly with plastic wrap and place it into a plastic bag.

3. Place it in the freezer until you are ready to use it later. It will keep for two to three months.

Uncooked Pasta

1. To freeze pasta dough that has been formed into shapes, spread pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet.

2. Place the baking sheet into the freezer until the pieces have frozen hard to the touch -- about one hour.

3. Place the frozen pasta noodles into a freezer bag or plastic-storage container and return them to the freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, use dough within two months of freezing. To thaw, place dough in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours prior to use.

• If your dough seems a little dry after it has thawed, sprinkle it with 1 tbsp. of water and re-knead it before putting it through your pasta machine.

References

• Pasta Recipes Made Easy
• Lazzaroli Pasta: How To Cook Pasta