Alfredo sauce is a creamy, cheese-based sauce that is used in a variety of Italian dishes like fettuccine alfredo and chicken alfredo. It’s made from ingredients like butter, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. While alfredo sauce can last for 1-2 weeks when properly stored, it can go bad faster if not handled properly. Here are some tips on how to tell if your alfredo sauce has gone bad and needs to be thrown out.
Check the Expiration Date
The first thing to check is the expiration or “use by” date printed on the alfredo sauce container. This date indicates the last day the manufacturer recommends using the alfredo sauce for best quality. If your alfredo sauce is past the date printed on the packaging, it’s best to discard it.
An unopened, shelf-stable alfredo sauce will typically last 1-2 months past the printed date if stored properly. Once opened, the shelf life is shortened to just 1-2 weeks. If your opened alfredo sauce is more than 2 weeks past the printed date, throw it away.
Look at the Color
Fresh alfredo sauce should be a creamy white color. As alfredo sauce starts to spoil, the color often changes.
Bad alfredo sauce may look more yellow or orange. It may also darken and become a beige or light brown color. This color change is due to oxidation and chemical breakdown of the ingredients.
If you notice your alfredo sauce is no longer a pristine white cream color, it’s safest to discard it.
Check the Consistency
Alfredo sauce should have a smooth, creamy texture. When it starts to go bad, the consistency often changes.
Bad alfredo sauce may become very thick and clumpy or curdled. If you see clumps, curdling, separation, gelling, or a cottage cheese-like texture, throw the sauce away.
Spoiled alfredo sauce may also become more thin and watery. This can happen if ingredients like the dairy and cheese have broken down. Discard any unusually thin alfredo sauce.
Smell the Alfredo Sauce
Fresh alfredo sauce has a rich, creamy, and buttery smell from ingredients like parmesan cheese and heavy cream. As it spoils, the smell becomes unpleasant.
Rancid alfredo sauce may smell sour, bitter, or “off.” You may notice a cheesy, spoiled milk, or rotten odor. If your alfredo sauce develops an unpleasant or ammonia-like smell, do not eat it.
Trust your nose – if your alfredo sauce doesn’t smell fresh, throw it out.
Check for Mold
One clear sign that alfredo sauce has gone bad is mold growth. This is especially common if alfredo sauce has been improperly stored.
Mold often shows up as fuzzy spots or discoloration on the surface of the alfredo sauce. It may appear green, black, blue, white, or gray. Some types of mold on food even look fuzzy or dusty.
Do not eat any alfredo sauce with visible mold on it. Mold can sometimes penetrate deep into foods, so spoilage may be hidden.
Consider How It Was Stored
How you store alfredo sauce can impact how quickly it spoils. Alfredo sauce that’s been improperly stored is more likely to go bad faster.
Here are some storage mistakes that can lead to spoiled alfredo sauce:
- Storing at room temperature
- Keeping opened container for more than 1 week
- Putting back unused portion on plate into container
- Not refrigerating after cooking
- Storing in warm environment
- Letting sauce sit at unsafe temperatures for too long
If you’re unsure of how the alfredo sauce was stored before you bought it or after opening it, it’s best to err on the side of caution. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to Store Alfredo Sauce Properly
To help your alfredo sauce last as long as possible, be sure to store it correctly:
- Refrigerate after opening. Keep alfredo sauce chilled at 40°F or below.
- Use clean utensils when scooping sauce to prevent contamination.
- Do not return unused portion back into container after serving. Discard leftovers.
- Keep alfredo sauce in air-tight containers. Do not store in open bowls.
- Consume within 1 week of opening or cooking for best quality.
- Do not freeze alfredo sauce, as this can impact texture.
- Throw away if you see any signs of spoilage like changes in color, smell, or texture.
Can You Salvage Spoiled Alfredo Sauce?
Unfortunately, there is no safe way to salvage alfredo sauce that has spoiled. Alfredo sauce contains dairy ingredients like milk, cream, and cheese that can grow dangerous bacteria when they go bad.
Do not try to recook, boil, or reheat spoiled alfredo sauce. Any bad bacteria will not be killed. Consuming rancid or moldy alfredo sauce can cause food poisoning.
Likewise, do not simply try to scoop out visible mold on top. Mold can spread invisibly throughout soft foods. The entire container of alfredo sauce should be discarded if it smells or looks spoiled in any way.
When it doubt, throw it out. Sticking to the expiration date, proper storage, and relying on your senses to detect spoilage are the best ways to keep alfredo sauce safe to eat.
Common Questions
Can you eat alfredo sauce that smells a little funny?
No, it’s not recommended to eat alfredo sauce that smells off or sour. An unpleasant or ammonia-like smell typically means the sauce has spoiled and should be discarded fully.
Can alfredo sauce be frozen?
It’s best to avoid freezing homemade or store-bought alfredo sauce. Freezing can negatively impact the texture, making it grainy or watery. Refrigerate alfredo sauce and consume within 1 week for best quality.
How long is jarred alfredo sauce good for after opening?
An opened jar of store-bought alfredo sauce will keep for 1 week in the refrigerator. Be sure to discard any leftover sauce after 1 week. Do not return unused portions back into the original container.
Can you eat alfredo sauce that has been left out overnight?
No, alfredo sauce that has been left at room temperature overnight should not be consumed. Bacteria multiply quickly in perishable dairy-based sauces like alfredo when left unrefrigerated. To be safe, throw away alfredo sauce left out more than 2 hours.
Conclusion
Checking for changes in appearance, texture, and smell are the most reliable ways to identify spoiled alfredo sauce. Discard any alfredo sauce that is past the printed expiration date, has signs of mold, smells unpleasant, or seems overly thick, curdled, or watery. Remember to store alfredo sauce sealed in the refrigerator after opening and throw away leftovers after 1 week. Proper storage and avoiding using alfredo sauce past its prime can help prevent foodborne illness.