Pasta Storage Ideas: How to Store Dried Pasta in Jars That Look as Good as They Work

Few things in a kitchen are as quietly satisfying as a row of glass jars filled with different pasta shapes. Spirals, shells, tubes and long strands all look beautiful on display, yet most of us keep them in half-open packets at the back of a cupboard. These pasta storage ideas will help you keep dried pasta fresher for longer, see exactly what you have at a glance, and turn an everyday staple into part of your kitchen's look.

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Why store pasta in jars?

Once a packet is open, dried pasta is exposed to air, moisture and pantry pests such as moths. A jar with a well-fitting lid keeps it dry and protected, and stops half-used bags spilling across the shelf. Glass also lets you see how much is left, so you never buy a third bag of penne when you actually needed spaghetti.

How to store dried pasta so it stays fresh

Dried pasta is one of the easiest foods to keep, but a few habits make a real difference.

• Put opened pasta into a clean, completely dry jar with a sealed lid.
• Store jars somewhere cool and dry, away from the hob, kettle and dishwasher steam.
• Don't top up old pasta with new - finish the jar, wash and dry it, then refill.
• Cut the best-before date from the packet and tape it to the back of the jar, or write it on the label.

Choose the right jar for each shape

Pasta shapes vary a lot in size, so one jar rarely suits everything. Matching the jar to the shape keeps your shelves neat and avoids half-empty containers.

• Long pasta such as spaghetti, linguine and tagliatelle needs a tall jar so it can stand upright. The Tall Glass Pasta Jar Set is designed for exactly this.
• Short shapes such as penne, fusilli and rigatoni suit wide, mid-height jars that are easy to scoop from, like our glass pantry storage jars with acacia lids.
• Small and delicate shapes such as orzo, conchiglie and farfalle look lovely in smaller jars where the shape can be seen, like our cork ball jars or reeded glass jars.

A good tip before buying a full set: pour one bag of your most-used pasta into a jar to check the size. You want a little space at the top so the lid closes easily.

Label everything (it makes the display)

Some pasta shapes look alike once they're out of the packet, and cooking times vary. A clear label saves guessing and gives your pantry a finished, uniform look. Our customisable waterproof pantry labels can say anything you like - the shape, the cooking time, or both - and are wipe-clean, so a splash of sauce won't ruin them. For a whole pantry at once, the Pantry Essentials label set covers the most common staples. Many of our jars can also be ordered with a custom label already applied at no extra cost.

Put your pasta on display

Pasta is one of the few pantry staples that looks better out of the cupboard than in it. A few ideas:

• Line up jars of different shapes on an open shelf or worktop - the contrast between spirals, shells and tubes is the whole appeal.
• Group jars in threes of varying heights for a styled look rather than a straight row.
• Keep the jars you use most on the worktop and store the rest in the cupboard in the same style, so everything matches when you open the door.
• Stand a set of tall spaghetti jars near the hob, where you'll reach for them most.

Frequently asked questions

How do you store dried pasta once opened?

Move it into a clean, dry jar with a sealed lid and keep it somewhere cool and dry, away from steam and heat. This keeps out moisture and pantry pests.

How long does dried pasta last?

Unopened dried pasta keeps for a long time - check the best-before date on the packet. Once opened, store it airtight and use it within the best-before date for the best texture.

Are glass pasta jars airtight?

The cork ball jars are not completely airtight, but this is not an issue for dried pastas. The long-form acacia jars are however airtight as they feature a silicone seal on the lid.

What size jar do I need for spaghetti?

Long pasta needs a tall jar so the strands can stand upright without breaking. A tall pasta jar is the neatest option.

Can I customise the labels?

Yes - many of our jars can be ordered with a custom label, and our waterproof pantry labels can be printed with any wording you like.