Freeze & defrost the Bolognese: How to preserve the taste
Bolognese is the classic Italian sauce for many people and is very easy to prepare in large quantities.
The effort involved is hardly any greater for large quantities and the sauce is easy to store, for example by freezing it.
Bolognese can usually be kept frozen for 3 months, vegan Bolognese can even be kept in the freezer for 6 months. To freeze it, put it in a suitable, airtight storage box up to a maximum of 2 centimetres below the edge of the lid and note the expiration date with a waterproof pen.
In this article, you will find out in detail how best to freeze and defrost Bolognese.
How to freeze bolognese
Bolognese is very easy to freeze in four steps:
- Leave the Bolognese sauce to cool for a maximum of 1 hour. Pour it into a shallow container to speed things up.
- Empty the Bolognese into a storage box suitable for freezing, leaving at least 2 centimeters of air between the lid and the sauce.
- Alternatively, empty the sauce into a freezer bag and squeeze out all the air.
- Note the best-before date with a waterproof pen and place the sauce in the freezer
To avoid overloading the freezer, it is essential that the Bolognese cools down before you put it in. However, the sauce must not be left out at room temperature for too long, as bacteria can easily multiply in the unrefrigerated state.
It is best to freeze the sauce as soon as possible after preparation, leaving it at room temperature for a maximum of one hour. To cool the Bolognese sauce more quickly, you can pour it into several shallow containers. The larger the surface area in contact with the air, the faster it will cool.
In general, it is worth dividing the sauce into several small portions. This way, you don’t have to defrost the entire amount, which is an advantage when cooking large portions. You can easily cook 3 kilograms of Bolognese in a large pot and divide it into 6 portions of 500 grams each, for example. Depending on which dish is being cooked, one portion is enough for 3 to 5 people.
You can use a freezer jar or freezer bag to freeze the Bolognese. When using a freezer jar, it is important to ensure that the sauce is filled to a maximum of 2 centimetres below the edge of the lid. If you use freezer bags, you must squeeze out the air as much as possible and then seal them airtight.
Finally, you just need to note the best-before date. Normal Bolognese contains minced meat and can therefore only be kept for 3 months. Bolognese without meat can be kept for longer, with a shelf life of 6 months. Use a waterproof pen so that the date does not blur.
Can you still freeze Bolognese after 2 days?
If the Bolognese sauce has been stored properly in the fridge, it can still be frozen 2 days later. However, it is best to freeze it immediately after preparation and keep the unrefrigerated time as short as possible.
Can you freeze spaghetti bolognese?
You can freeze spaghetti Bolognese, but the pasta can become soft and lose quality. It is best to freeze the bolognese separately and cook fresh noodles when using.
The freezing method is the same as for Bolognese.
Can you freeze classic Bolognese lasagne?
Bolognese lasagne is also excellent for freezing and will keep for 3 months in the freezer. Here is a complete guide with all the information on freezing lasagne.

Defrosting Bolognese – how to do it
In contrast to freezing, there are several options for defrosting Bolognese:
- Defrost the Bolognese in the fridge (gentlest method)
- Defrost the Bolognese in the microwave (quickest method)
- Defrost the Bolognese in a bain-marie
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and has an influence on the taste and consistency.
The best way to defrost bolognese (in the fridge)
The best way to defrost Bolognese is to leave the container in the fridge overnight. The sauce will be completely defrosted after 5 to 10 hours. This gentle method preserves the flavor and consistency best.
Defrost the Bolognese in the microwave (quickest method)
The quickest way to defrost Bolognese is to heat it up in a microwave-safe container for 10 to 20 minutes (depending on the quantity) at 180 watts. Stir the sauce in between to distribute the heat evenly and monitor the defrosting process.
Although defrosting in the microwave is not as gentle as in the fridge, it is particularly quick (10 to 20 minutes instead of 5 to 10 hours).
After defrosting, the Bolognese should be left for a few minutes before you heat it up to eat. This allows the heat to distribute evenly.
Defrost the Bolognese in a bain-marie (gently and quickly)
Another method of defrosting Bolognese is in a water bath. To do this, place the packaging in a pan filled with hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. This method is relatively gentle and effective.
The only disadvantage is that you will probably have to replace the water with warm water in between and therefore use a relatively large amount of water compared to the other methods.
How to tell if frozen bolognese is still good
Bolognese can also go bad in the freezer, the most common cause of this is freezer burn. This is when dried-out areas appear on frozen food, which are not harmful to health but are inedible.
How long does Bolognese keep after defrosting?
Once Bolognese has been defrosted, it can be kept in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days. The sauce should be boiled before use to remove any germs. The Bolognese should not be left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
If you have defrosted Bolognese but are not sure how long it has been frozen, you can take the following steps (see, smell, taste):
- Check for mold. Take a close look at the Bolognese. Is there any mold? If you suspect mold, dispose of the entire sauce.
- Smell it. Does the Bolognese smell unfamiliar or strange? Then throw it away. For this test, wait until the sauce has reached room temperature, because cold removes odors.
- Remember how long the Bolognese has been stored for. Bolognese with meat should generally not be kept in the freezer for longer than 3 months. If this period has clearly been exceeded, it is better to throw it away as a precaution.
- Try a small piece. If everything seems fine up to this point, try a small amount and judge the taste. If the sauce tastes good, you can still eat it.
If you are not sure, you should dispose of it if in doubt.