The general rule of thumb is that cooked macaroni and cheese should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. But, let's be real, who's counting? If you're like me, you're probably thinking, "What's the worst that could happen?" Well, bacteria don't care about your lack of time-keeping skills, and they'll start to multiply like crazy if you don't refrigerate your mac 'n cheese pronto.
Now, you might be thinking, "But I've left it out for four hours before, and nothing bad happened!" And to that, I say, congratulations, you've won the bacterial roulette! However, don't push your luck, friend, because the next time, you might not be so lucky. Food safety is no joke, and it's always better to err on the side of caution.
So, what happens when you leave macaroni and cheese out for too long? Bacteria start to party, and before you know it, you've got a foodborne illness on your hands. And trust me, you don't want that. The symptoms are no fun at all - stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and all sorts of other unpleasantness. Not exactly the kind of comfort you're looking for in a warm, cheesy bowl of goodness.
Mac and Cheese Shelf Life - How Long is Mac and Cheese Good for
