Freeze Drying Spaghetti

What's your go to meal at your house?  You know the one.  It's fast, healthy and everyone will eat it, even the pickiest of the bunch.

In our house, it's spaghetti and meatballs.  True, it isn't my favorite.  But if I need something fast and family friendly, that's it.

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Which is why it was one of the first meals we tried in our freeze dryer.  That's right we freeze dried spaghetti and it was so easy, anyone can do it.

We keep it on our pantry shelf and can easily use it throughout the year on busy week nights or when we need a meal and we are in a hurry.

We'll answer some of your questions about freeze drying spaghetti.

Can you freeze dry spaghetti?

Yes!  In fact, it is super simple and a great addition to your pantry.  However, you only want to freeze dry cooked spaghetti because uncooked spaghetti doesn't need to be preserved, it's already dry.

You'll need a freeze drying machine like a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer to do this.

But what is freeze drying?  Learn all about freeze drying and how it can benefit your family.

How long does freeze dried pasta last?

Freeze dried spaghetti and pastas can last for 20+ years if package properly in Mylar Bags with an oxygen absorber.  You can freeze dry cooked spaghetti plain or freeze dry it like us with pasta sauce and meatballs.

Can you freeze dry pasta once cooked?

That's the only way to freeze dry pasta.  If it isn't cooked, it is shelf stable and there is no need to freeze dry it.  Once it is cooked, you can then add it to the freeze dry to remove the moisture and create shelf stable "instant" pasta.  Just add hot water and wait and it will be ready to eat in just minutes.

How do you rehydrate freeze dried spaghetti?

Once you've freeze dried spaghetti, simply open the packet and add it to hot water.  The amount of water you add will vary depending on how much pasta, sauce and meatballs you have.  I typically will start with a 1 to 1 ratio or a 1 to 1/2 ratio.  It's best to start with less water and work your way up.

What supplies do you need to get started freeze drying?

Freeze Dryer Machine:  We use the large Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.  We decided to go with the large because it can hold more, which means filling less often versus running the machine more often.  But they come in small, medium and large.  And they released an Ex-Large version in 2023.

Canning Jars:  You can store many foods in canning jars for short term use.  For long term shortage, jars need to either have an oxygen absorber or be sealed using a vacuum sealer.  They need to be stored in a cool and dark area to keep colors fresh.

Vacuum Sealer: A vacuum sealer is a good investment if you plan to store your freeze dried goods in jars.  This eliminates the cost and need for oxygen absorbers.

Mylar Bags:  A Mylar bag is a great choice for storing freeze dried foods.  They come in many sizes and keep light from getting to foods.  They can be stored in tubs or 5 gallon buckets for easy access.  Make sure to purchase thick bags to avoid foods puncturing through and ruining your food supply.

Impulse Sealer: An Impulse Sealer is used to seal Mylar bags.  Heat is applied to the bag layers to seal them together and avoid moisture, air and light from penetrating the bags.

Oxygen Absorbers: Whether you plan to use Mylar bags or canning jars, you'll want to invest in oxygen absorbers.  These will be added to each Mylar bag and short term shortage jars.  This ensures that any oxygen in the packaging is absorbed and keeps the food from spoiling.  

You can purchase these in many places including from Harvest Right and even on Amazon.  We've had success with both, but you may need to try a few brands until you find one that works best for you.

VIDEO: How to Freeze Dry Spaghetti

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