31 Delightful Recipes Starring Ricotta Cheese
Why devote an entire gallery to ricotta cheese recipes? If you don’t know the answer, we’re not sure we can be friends.
Just kidding; allow us to explain: Ricotta is kind of like the Muenster or Monterey Jack of the spreadable cheese world: It can be the star, but it’s best as a supporting player, balancing more robust flavors or lending a creamy texture to a dish without adding too much moisture or heft. Its slightly sweet taste is more likely to highlight other ingredients than fight with them.
You can find it in any grocery store, but if you’re the type who wants to get elbow-deep in curds and whey, here’s how to make fresh ricotta cheese yourself. (It’s shockingly easy: All you need is milk, some kind of acid like vinegar or lemon juice, and salt.)
Now, onto our best ricotta cheese recipes.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pierce Abernathy, prop styling by Olga Grigorenko1/31Fried Caper and Artichoke Toasts
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi, Prop Styling by Alex Massillon2/31Manicotti
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kat Boytsova, prop styling by Gerri Williams3/31Creamy Ricotta Gnocchi
Boil and drain the pillowy dumplings, then bathe them in a creamy sauce doused with lemon zest and black pepper. For a version that’s a little less, shall we say, monochromatic, try this Springy Ricotta Gnocchi With Peas and Herbs.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Aneta Florczyk5/31Charred Peppers With Lemon Ricotta and Cucumbers
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio6/31Fried Zucchini and Butternut Squash Torta
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Summer Moore7/31Whipped Ricotta Toast With Date and Rhubarb Compote
Sweet and creamy ricotta meets crunchy sourdough toast and a tart rhubarb spread. If savory breakfast is more your thing, try this Crispy Mushroom Toast With Ricotta. (Told you: We love toast.)
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca8/31Pasta Alla Norma
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca9/31Any-Berry Lemon Ricotta Cake
Picture this: It’s late spring, your friends are over for brunch. After finishing, say, a quiche Lorraine and some mixed greens, you bring this cake swirled with jammy berries to the table. Everyone claps. End scene.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones10/31Pea and Ricotta Potstickers With Homemade Dumpling Wrappers
Photograph by Joyce Lee, food styling by Brandon Gray, prop styling by Chloe Kirk11/31Summer Squash and Arugula Pesto Pizza
From the pizza dough to the ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms to the peppery arugula pesto, every component of this recipe is homemade. And if you’re generally a fan of savory, doughy Italian dishes (aren’t we all?), try these vegetarian calzones, which benefit from a mixture of three cheeses, including ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca12/31Spinach Lasagna With Ricotta
The cook time on this classic lasagna is about one hour, which gives you just enough time to change clothes and set the table before your dinner guests arrive. For a less traditional but still party-worthy version, try this Spicy Skillet Lasagna With Ricotta and Spinach.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Gözde Eker13/31Cannoli Ice Cream
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Shuai Wang, Prop Styling by Megan Forbes and Christina Hussey14/31Mouthwatering Charred Beets With Ricotta
Photographs by Jenny Huang, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Sophie Strangio16/31Ricotta Cornmeal Pound Cake
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk17/31Cantaloupe With Sugar Snap Peas and Ricotta Salata
Alex Lau18/31Ricotta Pie With Amarena Cherries
This ricotta cheesecake is creamy but light thanks to a mixture of cream cheese, whole-milk fresh ricotta, and sour cream—oh, and an electric mixer.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Sue Li20/31Broccoli and Garlic-Ricotta Toasts With Hot Honey
Load one platter with these crostini and another with slices of prosciutto and we’d say you’ve got your dinner party appetizers handled. Now grab yourself a cocktail.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen22/31Marinated Zucchini With Hazelnuts and Ricotta
Zucchini is anything but boring when charred in a cast-iron skillet, bathed in a white wine vinaigrette, and served on top of a healthy spreading of ricotta cheese.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Heather Greene23/31Sausage and Ricotta Baked Cannelloni
So, yes, this recipe is a bit involved, but here’s our compromise: You can use a good store-bought marinara. Just don’t skip the homemade béchamel—there’s really no substitute.
Alex Lau25/31Sweet Corn and Ricotta Raviolo
Each jumbo-size ravioli envelops an egg yolk, which will run when you cut the pasta open and then mingle with the pan sauce. It’s pretty sexy, to be honest.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li27/31Beet and Ricotta Hummus
Chickpea hummus, this is not. We like to mess with the classics sometimes, and in the case of this dip, we played with a number of flavored versions: sweet potato, carrot, avocado, and this beet and ricotta beauty.
Alex Lau28/31Summer Squash Frittata With Herbs
A frittata is great way to use up any summer squash that’s about to turn. Frankly, a frittata is a great way to use up any other little bits and bobs lingering in the fridge too.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott30/31Kale With Pomegranate Dressing and Ricotta Salata
Ricotta salata is the dried cousin of milky ricotta. If you can’t find it, look to other hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Pecorino Romano; fresh ricotta won’t work in this salad.
