Many people loves mac and cheese! What’s not to like? It’s like a timeless go-to for dinner, and you can use it as a side too.
What’s more? It’s easy to prepare and just oozing with cheesy goodness.
After whipping up some mac and cheese, chances are you’ll end up with a little extra. While you might be tempted to leave it on the counter as you enjoy your meal, it’s best to avoid this for safety reasons.
As the holidays get closer, you must balance cooking up a storm and storing leftovers.
Making a ton of food means finding smart ways to keep those meals tasty and fresh.
How long can mac and cheese sit out? Don’t let mac and cheese stay for over two hours!
Once that time’s up, your meal becomes a field for bacteria. Surely you don’t want a plate of Mac and cheese that’s bacteria-infested, right? Right.
For the scoop on keeping your mac and cheese in primo condition, including how to store it properly and other tips, keep reading!
How Long Can Mac and Cheese Sit Out?
Freshly cooked mac and cheese tends to hold up better over time. It’s not very common to find yourself with leftover mac and cheese.
Mac and cheese and similar foods are quick to spoil and should only be kept out for about two hours unless they’re consistently kept hot, such as in a buffet setup.
Why? Because bacteria love to party at room temperature, and that puts your yummy dish in a messy situation!
Being extra cautious pays off – you can grab a food thermometer to keep tabs on your food’s temperature.
How Long Can Mac And Cheese Sit Out At High Temperatures?
When it’s blazing hot, or you’re grilling al fresco, having your mac and cheese sit on the picnic table might make you anxious about leaving it out too long in the heat.
The general rule is not to let food sit at room temperature for over two hours. But if it’s really hot, you should stash away your mac and cheese even quicker.
What’s one place bacteria spend quality time in? The answer is warm atmospheres. So imagine leaving your delicious plate of mac and cheese sitting out in the heat for extended periods.
This will boost bacteria growth and raise the chance of getting sick from foodborne issues.
For mac and cheese, it’s better not to leave it out in the warmth for more than an hour.
Grab what you want to eat, and then store the mac and cheese in a fitting container in the fridge to keep it safe and sound.
Also Read: How Long Can Sour Cream Sit Out? (Explained) and How Long Does Spam Last in the Fridge? (Answered)
What Is the Consequence of Letting Your Mac and Cheese Sit Out for Too Long?
If you let your mac and cheese leftovers chill out for an extended period or throughout the night, watch out – that creamy goodness, be it cream cheese or grated parmesan, can turn sour quickly.
You might spot some mold, those bluish-black dots and patches, growing on your mac and cheese. It will smell terrible, giving you a clear hint of it spoiling.
The once smooth mac and cheese could even turn grainy in texture.
What Should You Do If Mac and Cheese Are Left Out Too Long?
You’ll probably finish your mac and cheese way before it has a chance to sit out for too long. Because, let’s be honest, good mac and cheese is too tempting to resist.
But if that’s not the case, there is no need to stress. If it still looks and smells fine, warm it up and eat quickly.
If things have worsened, you cannot do much; you should discard it.
Eating spoiled mac and cheese, and any other meal that has deteriorated, can seriously mess with your health. Your health should always be the number one concern, so don’t take any chances.
How to Tell if Mac and Cheese Is Bad
When your cooked mac and cheese goes off, you’ll spot these indications:
1. Stinky Odor
When mac and cheese goes bad, it won’t have its usual delicious aroma that makes your mouth water. It gives off a rotten, foul, or funky odor instead.
2. Flavor
Mac and cheese should be rich, cheesy, and full of taste. If it’s no longer suitable, it will taste sour, and the sauce will have weird lumps.
3. Color Change
Healthy mac and cheese should maintain its original color. If you notice it turning pale gray or green, it’s no longer fit for consumption.
4. Mold Growth
The clearest signal that mac and cheese has gone off is the appearance of mold. If you notice fuzzy white patches or green specks, it’s time to remove them immediately.
How Long Can Mac and Cheese Sit Out in the Fridge?
Your food has a better shot at staying fresh when it’s in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures aren’t great for microorganisms, so your food will remain edible longer.
That’s why you can keep your leftover mac and cheese in the fridge for an extended time.
Usually, your Mac and cheese can stay in the fridge for three to five days before it’s time to say goodbye.
Refrigerators work their magic in keeping food tasty, and here’s why:
- Cold temperatures slow down the process of food spoilage.
- Fridges can keep humidity levels steady without much fluctuation.
- Cold temperatures make it challenging for bacteria to thrive.
- Food usually starts to break down due to natural processes, including enzymatic activity. The cold in fridges can put the brakes on this breakdown and help prevent spoilage.
Still, your food isn’t totally off the hook inside the fridge.
Just know that different things can speed up spoilage, so it’s wise to watch it. Fridges can have quirks, with settings that don’t fit all, so be aware of that.
How Do You Keep Mac and Cheese Fresh?
It’s only fair that after tackling the question, “How long can mac and cheese sit out?” we also advise you on some ways you can keep it fresh and healthy for consumption.
It’s best to enjoy your mac and cheese within a few days of making it. Otherwise, it might lose its deliciousness and scent.
Here are a few methods to store mac and cheese:
1. Room Temperature Rest
Don’t rush to keep your creamy mac and cheese in the fridge right after cooking. Give it 1-2 hours at room temperature to cool down.
Freezing Tip: If freezing is on your mind, opt for plastic pouches and hermetic containers for storing your mac and cheese.
2. Lock in the Freshness
Before slipping it into a plastic bag, ensure your mac and cheese is snugly sealed in an airtight container.
By doing this, you’ll keep moisture from sneaking out, which means the delectable taste and aroma stay trapped inside the container, keeping your mac and cheese tasting as good as new.
3. Stick it in the Fridge
Mac and cheese, with all its processed goodness, loses its taste and freshness when you let it chill in the fridge for too long.
If you’re going to eat the mac and cheese within a couple of days, go ahead and let it stay in the fridge. But if you want to save it for later, freezing works.
4. Skip the Processed Cheese
For a longer-lasting, aromatic mac and cheese experience, steer clear of processed cheese.
It’s a key culprit in the deterioration of mac and cheese, especially if you’re leaving it out of the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions – How Long Can Mac and Cheese Sit Out?
Can You Freeze Mac and Cheese?
Absolutely! Freezing mac and cheese is a go-to move if you’re not polishing it off in one go.
For extended storage, put it in an airtight container and wrap that up in a plastic bag.
When ready, the microwave can thaw out your frozen mac and cheese.
How Do You Thaw Mac and Cheese?
To defrost frozen mac and cheese, you’ve got a few choices: the fridge, cold water, or your microwave.
The fridge is the top pick, though it’ll take a night to thaw if there’s hard cheese involved.
Another route is using a sealed plastic bag in cold water, or your microwave defrost setting. If you follow the microwave or cold water route, be ready to dig in right away.
Can You Eat Mac and Cheese if Left Out Overnight?
Eating mac and cheese that has been left out overnight isn’t recommended. It’s best to avoid letting cooked mac and cheese sit out for over two hours.
How Many Times Can You Reheat Mac and Cheese?
Speaking of safety, if you reheat the food at the right temperature and for the proper duration, you can reheat it multiple times.
However, it’s generally advised to reheat just once, following the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommendation.
Should I add milk when reheating mac and cheese?
Well, yes. If you prepared your mac and cheese beforehand, hold off on adding the toppings until later.
That way, you can add some milk you warm it. Mac and cheese tend to dry out in the fridge, but a splash of milk brings back that velvety texture.
What keeps mac and cheese moist?
Milk and flour are the dynamic duo that maintains the moisture in mac and cheese.
They’re vital ingredients for a deliciously cheesy and moist macaroni and cheese recipe!
Also checkout similar articles like: How Long Does Shredded Cheese Last? And How Long Does Spam Last in the Fridge? (Answered)
Conclusion -How Long Can Mac and Cheese Sit Out?
It’s counterproductive to invest time and effort in making an incredible macaroni and cheese meal just to leave it at room temperature for too long and let it go to waste.
The basic guideline is to avoid leaving macaroni and cheese at room temperature for over two hours.
If it’s a hot day, don’t push it past an hour outside.
If you want your mac and cheese to last longer, put it in a good container and stash it in the fridge for around four days. Or freeze it for up to two months. Stay safe instead of sorry!