Should you refrigerate hot spaghetti sauce or let it cool first?

You should always let hot spaghetti sauce cool completely before refrigerating it. This is because when hot food is placed in the refrigerator, it can raise the temperature of the fridge and cause other food to spoil more quickly. Additionally, hot spaghetti sauce can cause condensation to form in the refrigerator, which can lead to water build-up and the growth of bacteria.

By letting the spaghetti sauce cool completely before refrigerating it, you can help to keep your fridge at the proper temperature and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

There are a few ways to cool hot spaghetti sauce quickly. One method is to place the pot or bowl of sauce in a sink filled with cold water. Another method is to place the sauce in a shallow pan and set it in the freezer for a few minutes.

Once the spaghetti sauce has cooled completely, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.