Pizza casserole is a delicious baked pasta dish made with pizza toppings like pepperoni, sausage, cheese, and sauce. It’s an easy weeknight meal that can be prepared ahead of time and reheated throughout the week. But how long will homemade pizza casserole last in the refrigerator before it goes bad? Here is a complete guide to how long pizza casserole will last refrigerated and the signs of spoiled pizza casserole to watch out for.
How Long Does Pizza Casserole Last in the Fridge?
Pizza casserole will generally last 3-5 days refrigerated when stored properly in an airtight container. The ingredients that limit the fridge life are the dairy products like cheese, milk, and sour cream. These ingredients can go bad within 3-5 days. Other pizza casserole ingredients like cooked pasta, cooked meat, and tomatoes last longer. But once combined in the casserole, you should follow the short fridge shelf life of the dairy components.
Here is how long the different ingredients in pizza casserole last refrigerated:
- Cooked pasta: 3-5 days
- Cooked ground beef or sausage: 3-4 days
- Cheese: 1 week
- Milk: 5-7 days
- Sour cream: 1-2 weeks
- Pizza/tomato sauce: 5-7 days
- Diced tomatoes: 5-7 days
- Vegetables like onions and bell peppers: 5-7 days
As you can see, the quickest expiring ingredients are the cheese, milk, and sour cream. So even though other items last longer, the whole casserole should not be kept for more than 3-5 days.
How to Tell if Pizza Casserole is Bad
If pizza casserole has been refrigerated for longer than 5 days, check for the following signs that it may have spoiled:
- Mold growth
- Curdled look to cheese or sour cream
- Sour smell
- Off colors like green, blue, or black
- Slimy texture
- Unusual bubbling
If you notice any of these characteristics, it’s best to throw the pizza casserole out. Don’t taste food that shows signs of spoilage.
How to Store Pizza Casserole in the Fridge
To help your homemade pizza casserole last as long as possible, follow these fridge storage tips:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
- Make sure the casserole is completely cooled before covering and storing.
- Place on a shelf rather than the door where the temperature fluctuates.
- If storing for longer than 3 days, divide into smaller containers for quicker reheating.
- Label the container with the date prepared.
- Check periodically for signs of spoilage.
Can You Freeze Pizza Casserole?
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of leftover pizza casserole. Frozen properly, pizza casserole can last 2-3 months in the freezer.
To freeze, first cool the casserole completely. Then transfer to freezer bags, plastic containers, or aluminum foil, making sure to remove excess air. Seal tightly. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months at 0°F.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat gently over medium-low heat until hot, 165°F.
Freezing prevents bacterial growth that causes food spoilage. So frozen pizza casserole will keep much longer than refrigerated. But still check periodically for signs of freezer burn or spoilage after long frozen storage.
How Long Does Pizza Casserole Last After Reheating
Once reheated, pizza casserole has a shortened shelf life compared to freshly made. Here is how long it will last refrigerated after reheating:
- Room temperature: 2 hours
- Refrigerator: 3-4 days
- Freezer: 2-3 months (if cooled before freezing)
Only reheat the portion size you plan to eat. Don’t reheat more than once. Discard any leftovers after 4 days.
How Long Does Baked Pizza Casserole Last at Room Temperature?
Baked pizza casserole should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After sitting out for more than 2 hours, bacteria can multiply quickly. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
For potlucks, picnics, and other occasions where the casserole will be served hot, keep it heated to above 140°F. Use chafing dishes or warming trays to maintain temperature. Do not combine reheated casserole with a fresh batch.
Does Pizza Casserole Go Bad Faster with Meat?
Meat toppings like sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, chicken, and bacon do decrease the shelf life of pizza casserole compared to meatless versions. Raw meats have naturally occurring bacteria that can multiply after cooking. Leftover cooked meats should not be refrigerated more than 3-4 days.
To maximize fridge life, cook meat thoroughly to safe internal temperatures. Allow casseroles with meat to cool quickly before refrigerating. Discard within 4 days. Meat also makes the casserole more prone to spoilage if left out too long at room temp.
How Long Does Homemade Pizza Casserole Last in Fridge?
| Storage Method | Fridge Life |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3-5 days |
| Freezer | 2-3 months |
| After reheating refrigerated | 3-4 days |
| After reheating frozen | 3-4 days |
| Room temperature | 2 hours |
Tips for Maximizing Pizza Casserole Shelf Life
Here are some tips for getting the maximum fridge and freezer life out of your homemade pizza casserole:
- Use the freshest ingredients possible.
- Cook meat, poultry, and eggs to safe minimum internal temperatures.
- Cool quickly after cooking, within 2 hours.
- Store in airtight containers in the back of the fridge.
- Label with date and contents.
- Follow FIFO – first in, first out.
- Refer to fridge life dates and don’t keep past recommended times.
- Check regularly for signs of spoilage.
- Freeze for long term storage up to 3 months.
Conclusion
With proper refrigeration and freezing, pizza casserole can safely last 3-5 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer. Store cooled casserole in airtight containers and check periodically for spoilage. Reheat only the amount you plan to eat and don’t keep leftovers longer than 4 days. Follow these guidelines and your homemade pizza casserole will have the maximum shelf life.