Shelf Life Tips
- How long does frozen macaroni and cheese last? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep macaroni and cheese frozen at all times.
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Properly stored, frozen macaroni and cheese will maintain best quality for about 18 months in the freezer, although it will usually remain safe to eat after that.
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Is frozen macaroni and cheese safe to eat after the expiration date on the package? Yes, if properly stored - commercially frozen macaroni and cheese will typically carry a “Best By," "Best if Used By," “Best Before”, or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the macaroni and cheese will remain at peak quality.
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How long will frozen macaroni and cheese remain safe to eat? Frozen macaroni and cheese that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely, as long as it has been stored properly and the package is not damaged.
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How long can you safely leave frozen macaroni and cheese at room temperature? Frozen macaroni and cheese should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature, as bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F.
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How to tell if frozen macaroni and cheese is no longer good? If dry spots or discoloration have developed on the frozen macaroni and cheese, freezer burn has begun to set in - this will not make the macaroni and cheese unsafe to eat, but it will harm the texture and taste.
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