How Long Does Prego Last In The Fridge? Storage, Expiration

How long does prego last? Prego sauce is a traditional recipe of sweet, vine-ripened tomatoes, balanced with savory Italian seasonings, onion, herbs, and garlic, for a classic taste.

The sauce is available in a variety of flavors,

Such as garlic, Italian, and Parmesan to transform pantry ingredients into plenty of family-pleasing recipes, like chicken parmesan, meatballs, and spaghetti.

So, how long does prego last in the fridge?

It is recommended you store an opened jar of Prego in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days. After that period you may begin to notice some molds growing around the edges.

Recommendation:

How Long Does Prego Last After Expiration Date?

An unopened jar of Prego will last for one year past its printed date, after opening it can only last for 5 to 10 days past its expiration date.

How Long Does Prego Last Once Open?

If kept Refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (40°F), Prego sauce will remain at its best quality for up to a week.

To maximize the shelf life after opening, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and keep it frozen at constant temperature for up to 3 months.

How Do You Read The Expiration Date On Prego Sauce?

Prego sauce comes with a Best By Date on the packaging.

The letters in the date represent the first three letters of a month,

Such as Apr for April or Sep for September. The numbers after the letters tell the day of the month and then followed by the year it is to expire.

For example, the code could read Sep 16, 2025.

This means for optimal quality, flavor, and texture, you should use the product before the 16th of September, 2025.

Does Prego Go Bad?

Yes, Prego sauce does go bad.

The shelf life of Prego sauce is about a year. However, after opening they should be used quickly.

Leaving the sauce on the counter at room temperature will cause them to go bad quickly.

How Do You Know When Prego Sauce has gone bad?

With just your eyes and nose you can tell when Prego sauce is not okay to eat anymore.

Smelling and looking at the sauce is the best way to get your answer.

If it develops an off appearance, odor, or flavor it should be discarded.

Also, the growth of mold on the product is an indication that it is done for.

Mold is the only thing that will grow on your Prego sauce when it is bad,

This is because the low pH prevents common pathogenic bacteria from growing.

The mold grows quicker if the lid is kept on because of the condensation.

10 Best Substitutes For Prego Sauce

Looking for an alternative to your Prego sauce?

Here are several tasty alternatives you can still use to enjoy delicious dishes whether you are a picky eater, working around running out, or cause of an allergy.

1. KETCHUP

Ketchup is an excellent choice to replace Prego sauce in most recipes.

It is made from tomatoes, sugar, and tomatoes to create a specific flavor profile and consistency.

2. TOMATO PASTE

Tomato paste can be used in a pitch as a Prego sauce substitute.

It has a pure tomato taste due to its concentrated form.

To use tomato paste, you need to mix it with water to create the consistency you desire.

Start with a small amount, and slowly add until you achieve your desired result.

3. NOMATO SAUCE

If you have an allergy, this brand that offers nightshade-free, tomato-like products with a ketchup and marinara-style sauce is an easy swap to make for Prego sauce.

The main ingredients in Namato are Water, Carrots, Onion, Beets, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Garlic, Sea Salt, Ascorbic Acid, Beet Juice Concentrate, Oregano, Citric Acid, and Basil.

Note that the Nomato ketchup can be used in any recipe (just the same way you would use any other brand of ketchup) and the marinara-style sauce would work best in Italian-inspired dishes.

4. CANNED STEWED TOMATOES

Canned stewed tomatoes are tomatoes that have been cooked and canned in their whole form.

Before using it as a replacement, you can add species or sugar to achieve the best match.

Note that some of the canned tomatoes such as fire-roasted canned tomatoes are already seasoned,

So they might be no need for additional seasoning.

5. PUREED CARROTS AND BEETS

When roasted these two veggies are interesting replacements for Prego sauce because of their rich earthy flavors.

Also, their texture makes a wonderfully rich sauce that is delightful as a base for stews and soups and stews. It also works in pizza and pasta sauce.

To prepare: Peel, chop, and toss the two veggies in olive oil.

Place the carrots and beets on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until they are tender.

Once they have cooled, toss them in a blender and add a tablespoon of olive oil or a neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or canola.

Begin blending, as you blend, slowly add water (and more oil if you prefer) to the mixture until you get your desired consistency.

You can also create a more flavorful sauce by adding a dash of salt and other seasonings.

Recommendation:

6. CANNED DICED TOMATOES

Canned diced tomatoes are essentially the same thing as canned stewed tomatoes,

So you can just follow the same directions above for canned stewed tomatoes to make your sauce.

7. PUREED BELL PEPPERS

Using red bell peppers for this substitution will give the same color as the Prego sauce.

However, you can use any bell peppers you have on hand since they all have similar flavor profiles.

You can even decide to prepare a nice mixture of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers.

Pureed bell peppers should be avoided if you are eating an anti-inflammatory diet

This is because it is another alternative that is a member of the nightshade family.

To prepare: Wash and remove the seeds of the bell peppers, then cook or roast them in the oven.

Follow the same directions used for pureeing carrots and beets.

8. FRESH TOMATOES

Even though Prego sauce has tomatoes in its mixture, you can make your sauce alternative using fresh tomatoes.

All you have to do is to toss a couple of tomatoes in a food processor and blend.

You can also create a smoother sauce by adding a touch of olive oil.

9. PUREED EGGPLANT

While not everyone loves eggplant, this tomato-free substitute is used in many dishes that pair well with tomato sauce,

So it will naturally pair well with the same seasonings.

Eggplant is a nightshade vegetable. So, avoid this substitute if you’re trying to reduce foods that can cause inflammation.

You can try the carrots and beets substitute above instead.

To prepare: slice 1 to 2 eggplants, bake or sauté them. Once it is cooked remove the skin and place the cooked eggplant in a blender or food processor.

Next, you should the same direction as above to puree carrots and beets.

10. TOMATO SOUP

Tomato soup is a delicious pantry staple that you may have on hand for cold winter days as a substitute for Prego sauce in certain recipes.

Note: when using this as a substitute, remember that tomato soup has quite a bit of sugar added to it in addition to the extra milk and water added to it.

That means that tomato soup provides a milder tomato flavor and can create too much moisture in certain recipes.

The sweetest can be cut out by adding a pinch of extra salt and additional savory spices.

How To Preserve Prego

To preserve Prego, unopened jars should be stored in the pantry, away from heat sources and direct sunlight.

This will ensure that they last up to 2 years.

After opening, you should preserve the product by storing them in your refrigerator or the freezer for longer storage.

Simply put your leftover Prego sauce into a freezer-safe container and it will keep its authentic flavor for up to 6 months.

When you are ready to use it, just bring it out of the freezer,

Then allow it to defrost at room temperature for a few hours then you can add it to the fresh, cooked pasta of your choice.

When reserving your Prego sauce do not keep it in a metal can.

If kept in a metal can, after 24 to 48 hours you will start to notice the erosion of the tin plate starting at the level of the food. To avoid this, store it in a glass jar.

How Long Does Prego Sauce Last In The Freezer?

You can freeze the unused Prego sauce in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Use within this time frame for the best quality experience.

How Long Does Prego Sauce Last In The Pantry?

Any unsealed jar of Prego sauce can last in the pantry for several months if stored properly.

However, after opening, the jar should be used within 7 to 10 days.

Prego Sauce Ingredients

List of ingredients present in Prego sauce

Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste)
Diced Tomatoes In Tomato Juice
Sugar
Salt
Canola Oil
Dried Onions
Dehydrated Garlic
Spices
Basil
Citric Acid
Onion Extract
Garlic Extract.