This is How Long Costco Mac And Cheese Last!
Costco Mac and cheese is a very simple meal; many consumers often prefer to make it in larger quantities and keep it for later.
Costco offers both pre-made and uncooked Mac and cheese, and it usually has all the ingredients.
Either way, you can end up with leftovers of Mac and cheese, and you’ll need to preserve it for some time.
Costco Mac and cheese can last for at least five days if you store it in the refrigerator. However, cooked Mac and cheese will spoil if you leave it at room temperature for more than two hours. Freezing Costco Mac and cheese will preserve it for up to two months.
How Long Does Costco Pre-made Mac and Cheese Last?
Costco pre-made macaroni and cheese will remain good for 3-5 days if you refrigerate it properly.
How long pre-made Mac and cheese lasts depends on how well you store it.
You have to refrigerate pre-made Mac and cheese within two hours of removing it from the box.
Pre-made Mac and cheese will go bad if you leave it at room temperature for more than two hours.
It may spoil if you wait a long time to put the Mac and cheese in the refrigerator.
But if you store it properly, it will last for a minimum of three days and a maximum of 5 days.
If you want to keep pre-made macaroni and cheese beyond five days, you’ll have to freeze it instead of just refrigerating it.
Put the Mac and cheese in airtight containers and cover them. Or you can use airtight freezer bags to freeze it.
If you freeze it well enough, it will retain perfect quality for at least two months. However, it will remain safe for consumption beyond that time.
It’s important to ensure you don’t keep cooked or pre-made Mac and cheese at room temperature and then put it in the refrigerator.
Bacteria grow very quickly when the temperature is between 40°F-140°F.
If left for so long, Mac and cheese will develop bacterial growth and no longer be safe for consumption. Discard it if you left it for more than two hours at room temperature.
How Long Does Costco Mac And Cheese Last In The Fridge?
Refrigerated Mac and cheese will last for five days, at most. Even if you put Mac and cheese in the fridge, don’t keep it for more than five days.
In some cases, the Mac and cheese may go bad even after only three days.
If you keep your Mac and cheese in the fridge but notice an odor or discoloration, you should throw it out. The reason is that it will no longer be suitable for consumption.
Whether homemade or store-bought Mac and cheese, if you’ve made it in excess quantity and want to eat it later, you need to put it in the fridge.
However, you also must remember that putting it in the fridge does not mean it will last forever.
But, to retain the best, freshest quality even after you’ve refrigerated it, ensure you put it in the fridge within two hours after cooking.
But don’t put it in the container while it’s still steaming. Wait until the Mac and cheese are no longer steaming.
Then, put it in an airtight container and place it in the far corner of the fridge.
You have to place the Mac and cheese in the far corner of the fridge because the temperature there is more stable.
The temperature in the front of the refrigerator usually fluctuates, and Mac and cheese are better preserved when you place it where the temperature is stable.
Mac and cheese shelf life varies widely depending on how you store it. The table below will illustrate how long Mac and cheese will last in all conditions.
| Conditions | Duration |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Two hours |
| Refrigerated | About 3-5 days |
| Frozen | Two months |
How Long Is Costco Mac and Cheese Good For After Expiration?
Usually, an unopened package of macaroni and cheese lasts for at least two years and maintains the best quality for two years or even more.
It is safe to use Costco Mac and cheese after the expiry date. Costco Mac and cheese is good for at least three months after expiry.
Costco macaroni and cheese usually has a best-before date or expiration date.
You can use it after expiration if you carefully preserve your macaroni and cheese mix.
The best before date is not technically when the Mac and cheese will go bad.
It is just the estimate from the manufacturers of the product about how long they think the product will remain in prime condition.
So, Mac and cheese will still be good to consume even after the best before or the expiry date has passed.
However, you may notice that the taste, texture, color, or flavor differs after expiration. But, you can still eat it even if it tastes or looks different.
However, avoid eating Costco Mac and cheese if it is spoiled. In some cases, the Mac and cheese could spoil by the expiration date.
In that case, you need to throw it out. If Mac and cheese are bad, it will have an offensive odor, or if the flavor is off, it’s spoiled.
If it’s stayed for a long time, mold can grow on it. Remember that you can preserve Mac and cheese for much longer if you store it carefully.
Keep it tightly sealed and closed at all times. Also, keep the Mac and cheese away from moisture.
Can You Freeze Costco Mac And Cheese?
You can freeze Mac and cheese for at least two months. You can also freeze pre-made macaroni and Freezing.
All you have to do is to put the Mac and cheese in an airtight bag or container and put it in your freezer. Once frozen, Mac and cheese can stay good for about two months.
Mac and cheese is a comfort meal for many people, and sometimes, you may want to cook more and keep it for a busy night when you don’t want to cook.
All you have to do is take it out of the freezer and reheat it. Ensure that cooked Mac and cheese cools down before you put it in the containers and into the freezer.
Also, freeze Costco Mac and cheese within two hours after cooking.
Once Mac and cheese stay at room temperature for more than two hours, it spoils. So if you refrigerate it afterward, it won’t do any good.
Conclusion
Costco Mac and cheese lasts about 3-5 days in a fridge. But, if you want it to last longer, you can put it in a freezer instead of just refrigerating it.
Costco Mac and cheese is also good for about three months after expiration.
