22 Top-Rated Recipes That Start with Ricotta Cheese (2024)

FAQs

What does ricotta cheese pair well with? ›

Enjoy with crackers, a drizzle of honey, dried fruits or vegetable sticks. As a spread: Toast slices of banana bread or fruit toast, spread with ricotta and drizzle with honey for a snack or brekky. Finger food pasties: Ricotta and spinach are a match made in heaven.

Ricotta salata is also a perfect accompaniment to meat-based pasta sauces, fresh salads, and roasted vegetables; even though the outside looks hard, the inside is still creamy enough to mix very well with warm dishes. It's saltier and nuttier than Pecorino and Parmigiano Reggiano, so use in moderation.

Cow's milk ricotta is milder and has a more neutral taste than the other varieties. It's ideal for the celebrated filled-pasta delicacies of northern Italy—such as, ravioli, tortelloni, agnolotti, savory stuffed crepes—as well as cakes and pastries.

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.

Consuming ricotta cheese and other dairy products also may reduce certain types of inflammation. 12 Dairy products are associated with a possibly beneficial effect on the biomarkers of inflammation.

Opened ricotta generally lasts for about one week in proper storage conditions. To be on the safe side, give it the sniff test. If there is any off odor, toss it. Additionally, if there are any black spots, it's got to go.

Stored properly, fresh ricotta will last in the freezer for one to three months. Once you thaw your cheese, it is not recommended to refreeze it. Since freezing it just once already causes the cheese to degrade somewhat, you can imagine what constant thawing and refreezing would do.

Does Ricotta Cheese Go on Pizza Before or After Cooking? While ricotta can technically be put on pizza before or after baking, if you want the ricotta to be warm and creamy, it is best to add it to pizza before baking.

It often serves as an ingredient in desserts, such as cannoli and ricotta cake; a dip for fresh fruit; and as a filling for lasagna and ravioli, as well as a component of many other pasta dishes. Along with its mild, slightly sweet taste, ricotta also presents several nutritional health benefits.

What do Italians use instead of ricotta in lasagna? ›

In Italian cuisine, ricotta cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, but when it's not available, Italians may substitute it with other soft cheeses like mascarpone, stracchino, or crescenza. These cheeses offer a similar creamy texture and mild flavor to ricotta.

While ricotta is included in certain varieties of lasagna in Italy, the style that serves as the primary inspiration for American recipes is the one from the region of Emilia Romagna. There, it's traditionally layered with pasta, bolognese, and béchamel—with no ricotta to be found.

Compared to most cheeses, ricotta is a healthier choice because it contains less salt and fat - 10 per cent fat, of which 6 per cent is saturated. It's light and creamy with a slightly grainy texture and delicate flavour that can be used on its own or in sweet and savoury dishes.

Yes, ricotta cheese can be enjoyed on its own as a simple and delicious snack. You can drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, or add a touch of honey for a sweet and savory combination. It can also be served with fresh fruit or crusty bread.

Soft cheeses such as ricotta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese are often considered the easiest to digest. These cheeses have a high moisture content and a mild flavor, so they are easier on the digestive system. Additionally, the soft texture of these cheeses means they break down more easily in the digestive tract.

Ricotta can be eaten on its own, used in recipes.