Velveeta cheesy bowls are a popular convenience food that provide a quick and easy cheesy meal. However, there is some debate around whether these microwaveable bowls need to be refrigerated or if they can be stored at room temperature. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at Velveeta cheesy bowls, their ingredients, and storage recommendations to determine if refrigeration is required.
What are Velveeta Cheesy Bowls?
Velveeta cheesy bowls are single-serve, microwaveable cups filled with pasta, rice or potatoes and cheese sauce. Some varieties also contain added vegetables, meat or seafood. They provide a fast meal that only requires 90 seconds in the microwave to heat up.
Cheesy bowls are part of the Velveeta line of products produced by Kraft Heinz. Velveeta is known for its signature smooth, creamy cheese sauce made from whey, milk, milk proteins and fat, and other ingredients like emulsifiers and preservatives.
Some of the most popular Velveeta cheesy bowl varieties include:
- Shells & Cheese Bowl
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bowl
- Cheesy Chili Mac Bowl
- Cheesy Tuna & Rice Bowl
- Cheesy Bacon Mac Bowl
Velveeta Cheesy Bowl Ingredients
The main ingredients in Velveeta cheesy bowls include:
- Pasta, rice or potatoes: The starch base that the cheesy sauce clings to. Shell pasta, rice and diced potatoes are commonly used.
- Cheese sauce: Made from whey, milk, milk proteins, and milkfat. Provides the signature Velveeta texture and flavor.
- Milk: Added to the cheese sauce to adjust texture and creaminess.
- Vegetable oil: Used to adjust the fat content of the cheese sauce.
- Emulsifying salts: Help keep the cheese sauce smooth and prevent separation. Common examples are disodium phosphate and sodium citrate.
- Preservatives: Help extend shelf life. Potassium sorbate and sodium alginate are often added.
- Extra ingredients: Some varieties contain cooked meat, vegetables, or seafood for added nutrition and flavor.
The exact ingredients vary slightly between each cheesy bowl variety, but follow the same basic formula of pasta/rice/potatoes covered in a smooth, creamy Velveeta cheese sauce.
Storage Recommendations on Velveeta Packages
If you check the packaging on Velveeta cheesy bowls, you’ll notice that they provide some storage guidance:
- The outer cardboard packaging states the bowls should be “Refrigerate after opening.”
- The plastic microwavable cups themselves have instructions that read “After opening, store in refrigerator.”
So the manufacturer recommendations clearly advise refrigerating Velveeta cheesy bowls after opening them.
However, you’ll also see that the packaging states the unopened bowls can be stored at “room temperature” prior to opening.
Why Refrigeration is Advised After Opening
There are a few reasons why Velveeta recommends refrigerating the cheesy bowls after opening:
- Prevent bacterial growth: Refrigeration slows the growth of harmful bacteria. The ingredients provide nutrients for bacteria to multiply if left unrefrigerated.
- Maintain texture: Cold temperatures help the cheese sauce maintain a smooth, creamy consistency. Heat and time can cause separation.
- Extend shelf life: Cooler temperatures keep food fresher for longer after opening. Refrigeration extends the shelf life from days to weeks.
So refrigeration after opening is advised by the manufacturer as the best way to inhibit bacteria, maintain the desired texture, and extend the shelf life of the remaining product.
Why Unopened Bowls are Shelf-Stable
While refrigeration is recommended after opening Velveeta cheesy bowls, the unopened bowls are shelf-stable at room temperature. Here are some reasons why:
- Pasteurization: The dairy ingredients like milk and whey are pasteurized to destroy bacteria.
- Preservatives: Added preservatives inhibit microbial growth and prevent spoilage.
- Low moisture: The cheese sauce has a low moisture content which limits opportunities for bacteria to thrive.
- Packaging: The sealed plastic and cardboard packaging protect the contents from contamination.
Thanks to these built-in protections, unopened Velveeta cheesy bowls are shelf-stable and safe at room temperature until you open them.
What Happens if You Don’t Refrigerate After Opening?
Since refrigeration is specifically recommended after opening Velveeta cheesy bowls, choosing not to follow this guidance could impact the food safety and quality:
- Increased risk of foodborne illness from bacterial growth.
- Texture changes – the cheese sauce is likely to separate, become grainy or watery, and deteriorate in texture.
- Off-flavors may develop as the ingredients spoil and bacteria produce waste products.
- Mold growth is more likely without refrigeration.
- The shelf life will be significantly reduced from weeks to just a few days.
Storing an opened Velveeta cheesy bowl at room temperature allows harmful bacterial growth and increases the chances of food spoilage. So it’s strongly recommended to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and refrigerate after opening.
How Long Do Open Velveeta Bowls Last in the Fridge?
Velveeta cheesy bowls should maintain peak quality for:
- 7-10 days after opening if refrigerated.
- They will remain safe to eat for up to 2-3 weeks refrigerated after opening.
- Make sure to reheat thoroughly before eating if storing for more than 5 days.
- Discard if you see visible mold or other signs of spoilage.
Storing Velveeta cheesy bowls in the refrigerator after opening helps maximize their shelf life. But it’s always important to inspect the product and rely on your senses. If you notice an off smell, flavor or texture, it’s best to discard the remainder.
Can You Freeze Velveeta Cheesy Bowls?
Freezing can further extend the shelf life of opened Velveeta cheesy bowls. Here are some freezing tips:
- Cool opened bowl in the fridge before freezing.
- Transfer to freezer safe container or resealable plastic bag.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
- Consume within 3-4 days after thawing.
- Reheat until hot and bubbly before eating.
Freezing gives you more flexibility when you can’t finish the bowl within 7-10 days. But keep in mind that freezing may impact texture and taste slightly.
Can You Microwave Without Refrigerating First?
It’s possible but not ideal to microwave a Velveeta cheesy bowl without refrigerating first if you store it at room temperature after opening. Here are some drawbacks to this approach:
- Increased safety risk from uncontrolled bacteria growth.
- Potential off-flavors or poor texture.
- Cheese sauce may be oilier or separated.
- Microwaving full strength may worsen texture issues.
- Shortened remaining shelf-life after reheating.
For best safety and quality, it’s advisable to refrigerate opened cheesy bowls before reheating them in the microwave. The cooler temperature helps preserve the texture and freshness of the product.
Tips for Microwaving Refrigerated Bowls
To reheat a refrigerated Velveeta cheesy bowl, follow these steps:
- Remove bowl from fridge and peel off plastic film.
- Microwave on HIGH for 1-2 minutes until hot, stirring halfway.
- Check temperature and continue cooking in 30 second intervals if needed.
- Stir well before enjoying to evenly distribute heat.
- Consume remainder within 3-4 days.
Microwaving with shorter intervals helps prevent overheating and deteriorating the texture. Letting it stand briefly before eating allows the temperature to equilibrate.
Unopened Shelf Life at Room Temperature
Unopened, shelf-stable Velveeta cheesy bowls last for:
- 2-3 months from the printed expiry date when stored at room temperature.
- In general, about 8-12 months total when stored from the production date.
- Avoid storage above 85°F as heat can shorten shelf life.
As long as the bowls remain sealed in their original packaging, they should retain quality and stay safe to eat up until the best by date on the package.
Signs Velveeta Bowls are Bad or Expired
Check unopened and opened Velveeta cheesy bowls for the following signs they may be expired or no longer safe to eat:
- Passed printed expiration or best by date
- Mold growth on the cheese sauce or other ingredients
- Curdled or separated cheese sauce
- Sour or spoiled smell
- Discolored or slimy cheese sauce
- Changes in consistency – soupy, grainy, dried out
- Leaking or damaged packaging
If you notice any of these warning signs upon inspection, it’s best to discard the bowl instead of risking a foodborne illness.
FAQs
Do unopened Velveeta cups need to be refrigerated?
No, unopened Velveeta cheesy bowls do not need to be refrigerated. Thanks to pasteurization, preservatives and sealed packaging, the unopened bowls are shelf-stable at room temperature for the printed shelf life.
How can you tell if opened Velveeta is bad?
Refrigerate opened Velveeta bowls and check for signs of spoilage like mold growth, off-smells, texture changes, sliminess, or a passed expiration date. Discard if any signs of spoilage.
Can Velveeta cheese sauce be left unrefrigerated?
Velveeta recommends refrigerating all cheese sauce products after opening, including their microwaveable cheesy bowls. The opened products require refrigeration to control bacterial growth and maintain quality.
Does Kraft Velveeta cheese need to be refrigerated?
Unopened Velveeta products like blocks, shells, and slices are shelf-stable. But refrigeration is recommended after opening to maximize freshness and prevent spoilage.
Can you freeze and reheat Velveeta microwave cups?
Yes, you can freeze an opened Velveeta cheesy bowl for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating until hot. Consume within 3-4 days.
The Bottom Line
Velveeta cheesy bowls should always be refrigerated promptly after opening them. Refrigeration inhibits bacteria growth, maintains the desired smooth cheese texture, and extends the shelf life. Leaving bowls unrefrigerated after opening increases the risk of foodborne illness. When stored properly in the fridge, opened bowls should last 7-10 days.
However, as long as the Velveeta bowls remain unopened, they can be safely stored in the pantry and will maintain quality at room temperature until reaching the expiry date. So refrigeration is only required after opening the bowls.
Following the manufacturer’s guidelines for storage, and always inspecting for signs of spoilage, are the best ways to safely enjoy Velveeta’s convenient cheesy bowls without worrying about foodborne pathogens. The refrigerate after opening recommendation helps prevent health issues and maintain the tasty, creamy, cheesy quality that Velveeta bowls are known for.