Never underestimate ricotta cheese again!
It is incredibly versatile and can be used in more than just lasagna! From recipes that are savory to sweet, including appetizers, pasta, and desserts, I’m here to show you my favorite ways of using this creamy and irresistible Italian cheese.
Ricotta is what is called a “whey cheese”, meaning it is made from the liquid whey leftover when milk is heated and then separated into curds to make cheese.
Ricotta literally translates to “recooked”, so the process continues by reheating the whey with a bit of citrus or vinegar, and a fine curd develops. This is then strained through a cheesecloth and ricotta cheese remains. It can be made from sheep, cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo milk whey, but generally what we find in the store now is whole milk from a cow.
Italian Ricotta Cheese Recipes You’ll Love
1. Asparagus Pesto Ricotta Tart
Asparagus Pesto Tart combines Italian flavors that were meant to be put together: pesto, ricotta cheese, and asparagus, all baked inside a crispy puff pastry crust! This super-fast appetizer uses a store-bought crust and only a few minutes of assembly before it spends 20 minutes in the oven – and that’s it! A showstopper ricotta tart on the table in under 30 minutes!
2. Spinach Ricotta Meatballs
Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs are the appetizer your guests will devour and keep coming back for more! Crunchy on the outside with a velvety, creamy filling, these “meat”balls are beautiful to look at and even more fun to eat! Only 7-ingredients are needed before these oven baked ricotta meatballs can join your antipasti table!
3. One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon
One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon is a 5-ingredient weeknight meal that will quickly become a favorite in the rotation! Creamy and comforting, a simple lemony ricotta sauce is made possible with the use of starchy pasta cooking water. All the mixing is done in the same pot that the pasta cooked in. This one pot pasta is fast and simple but doesn’t skimp on bright and fresh Italian flavors!
4. Ricotta Crostata with Chocolate
Ricotta Crostata with Chocolate is a take on the classic Italian Easter pie but can be made year-round! With one simple pie dough easily made by-hand and a cheat-version of a lattice top, this crostata is sure to impress. The star of the show is the silky and smooth filling scented with orange zest and dotted with chocolate chips. It is reminiscent of cannoli filling yet just as irresistible when filled into a crostata crust.
5. One Bowl Lemon Ricotta Cake
One Bowl Lemon Ricotta Cake is easy to prepare and delivers all the bright feelings of the Italian sunshine! Ricotta cheese makes the cake moist but not heavy, and the combination of lemon juice and zest packs a double punch of citrus. This snack cake is light and not overly sweet, perfect for breakfast or to pair with an afternoon cup of tea. All you need is a whisk, spatula, and most importantly – one bowl!
6. Chocolate Ricotta Cake
Chocolate Ricotta Cake is soft and light and super delicious. Even better, it’s very easy to prepare! It requires mostly pantry staple ingredients and there are no mixers or special equipment involved. A rich chocolate flavor is achieved from just cocoa powder and the ricotta cheese makes the cake taste fudgy and moist. It can be dressed up with whipped cream or with a simple dusting of powdered sugar for the perfect afternoon sweet!
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