• Rice and pasta: 3–5 days

• Soups and stews: 3–4 days

• Casseroles and mixed dishes: 3–4 days

• Pizza: 3–4 days

Spotting Spoiled Food

Even if food hasn’t passed the recommended storage period, check before eating:

• Odd smell, such as sour or rancid odors

• Slimy, sticky, or mushy texture

• Mold or unusual discoloration

• Off taste — if it tastes wrong, don’t eat it

Freezing as an Option

If you won’t eat leftovers within a few days, freezing is safe and can preserve most cooked foods for 2 to 3 months. Use freezer-safe containers or bags and note the storage date.

In short, keeping cooked food in the refrigerator for no more than 3 to 4 days, storing it at the right temperature, and watching for spoilage signs helps protect your health. When in doubt, it’s better to throw it out.