18 Best Ricotta Cheese Recipes
Ricotta cheese offers a wonderful richness to many meals. Ricotta may be eaten in a variety of ways, from spaghetti to pastries and dips. We’ve compiled a list of 18 of the greatest ricotta cheese recipes. You’re certain to discover a few new favorites here!
Contents
- Stuffed Ziti Fritta
- Upside Down Lasagna
- Mini Lasagna Cups
- Summer Salad With Herbed Ricotta
- Italian Ricotta Calzones
- Tomato, Basil, and Ricotta Pizza
- Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
- Baked Ricotta Dip
- Lemon Ricotta Bruschetta
- Italian Ricotta Cookies
- Ricotta Meatball Soup
- Ricotta Gnocchi
- Lemon Ricotta Cake
- Manicotti
- 5-Ingredient Cannolis
- Baked Ricotta Chicken
- Whipped Ricotta Crostini
- Honey Ricotta Dip With Pistachio and Apricot
- Best Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Ziti Fritta Recipe
- FAQs
- What can I do with a lot of ricotta cheese?
- How many eggs should I add to my ricotta cheese?
- Can I freeze ricotta cheese?
- What is the difference between ricotta and Italian ricotta?
- What does adding egg to ricotta do?
- Why do you drain ricotta?
- Does 1 jumbo egg equal 2 eggs?
- What can I add to store bought ricotta?
- What does adding egg to ricotta for lasagna do?
- What do you eat ricotta with?
Stuffed Ziti Fritta
In this Olive Garden knockoff, ziti pasta is packed with five different types of cheese and deep-fried until crispy. Serve with a marinara dipping sauce as an appetizer.
Upside Down Lasagna
Serve the upside-down lasagna wedges with a fresh side salad. It’s stuffed with ground beef, three types of cheese, and a tasty tomato sauce.
Mini Lasagna Cups
These adorable lasagna cups make the ideal appetizer! They’re crisp on the exterior, creamy on the inside, and ready in 40 minutes.
Summer Salad With Herbed Ricotta
This bright summer salad is drool-worthy with its brilliant hues! Serve with grilled meat and toasted garlic bread pieces.
Italian Ricotta Calzones
Calzones in Italy are comparable to pizza turnovers. They include sausage, pepperoni, spinach, tomatoes, and three types of cheese. Serve with a fresh garden salad for a filling supper!
Tomato, Basil, and Ricotta Pizza
This handmade tomato, basil, and ricotta pizza will delight your children. It’s also suitable for vegetarians! Serve it with your favorite salad for a nutritious and tasty supper.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
This dish’s large pasta shells are loaded with a delicious blend of garlic, spinach, and three types of cheese. Serve with garlic bread for a tasty evening supper!
Baked Ricotta Dip
With crisp bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables, serve this baked ricotta dip! It’s the ideal starter for a joyful get-together with friends.
Lemon Ricotta Bruschetta
This wonderful bruschetta is made with ricotta, lemon, honey, and basil. Serve it as an appetizer at your next summer gathering!
Italian Ricotta Cookies
These delicate, moist, and delicious Italian ricotta biscuits! They have a delicious glaze on top and may be adorned for any occasion.
Ricotta Meatball Soup
This hearty meatball soup is filling enough for supper! Serve with buttered crusty buns and you’re set.
Ricotta Gnocchi
Gnocchi has never been simpler to make! It just requires a few basic ingredients and takes around 20 minutes to prepare. Serve with your favorite sauce.
Lemon Ricotta Cake
This lemon ricotta cake has a light texture that you will like. It’s flavored with lemon and topped with juicy strawberries. It would be ideal for a special occasion supper!
Manicotti
This meaty manicotti will please everyone at the dinner table. It’s stuffed with wonderfully seasoned Italian sausage, three types of cheese, and marinara sauce. Serve with fresh garden salad and crisp garlic bread.
5-Ingredient Cannolis
Cannolis are a decadent and sweet Italian dessert. They’re packed with sweetened ricotta cheese and go well with a cup of coffee or tea.
Baked Ricotta Chicken
The marinade imparts flavor to the chicken breasts in this popular dish. This meal is fantastic served over spaghetti. It will be a hit with your family!
Whipped Ricotta Crostini
The creamy ricotta in this meal pairs well with the crunchy garlic bread. It’s a simple snack that you can whip up fast the next time you have guests around!
Honey Ricotta Dip With Pistachio and Apricot
In this dip, sweet apricots and crunchy pistachios complement the silky ricotta nicely. It goes well with bread sticks, crackers, and your favorite fresh vegetables!
Best Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Ziti Fritta Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1/2lbRigatonior Ziti Pasta
- water
- salt
- 1tablespoonoil
For the Filling (5 cheeses)
- 1/4cupricotta
- 1/4cupmozzarella cheeseshredded
- 1/4cupcream cheesesoftened
- 4cupgrated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving1
- 1/4cupRomano cheeseshredded
For Frying
- 2large eggs beaten
- 1cupall-purpose flour
- 1cupbreadcrumbs
- oilfor frying
Optional for Serving
- Marinara Sauce
- Alfredo Sauce
- chopped parsley
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- A big pot of water should be brought to a boil. Add a sprinkle of salt to taste.
- Cook until the pasta is al dente (2 minutes less than the package’s suggested time).
- Drain the spaghetti and drizzle with olive oil. Coat with a whisk. Place aside to cool.
Make the Filling & Stuff the Pasta
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the filling. Combine the ricotta, mozzarella, cream cheese, parmesan, and Romano cheeses in a large mixing basin. Stir until everything is mixed.
- Fill a zip-top bag halfway with the cheese mixture. Cut the corner of the bag and seal it.
- Fill one half of the rigatoni with the cheese mixture. Fill the opposite side by flipping the pipe.
- Freeze the packed rigatoni pasta for 30 minutes on a baking sheet.
Fry the Stuffed Pasta
- In a Dutch oven or big saucepan, heat the oil to 350°F.
- Separate the eggs, flour, and bread crumbs into three separate dishes.
- Coat a filled rigatoni in flour, then brush off excess flour. With a fork, dip it into the beaten egg. Then coat the rigatoni with bread crumbs. Repeat with the remaining rigatoni.
- Using a slotted spoon, carefully drop 5-6 pieces of breaded rigatoni into the heated oil. Cook for 3 minutes, or until the cheeses begin to drip out.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining rigatoni.
- Garnish with parmesan and optional parsley. Serve with marinara or Alfredo sauce on the side.
Equipment
Notes
- Rigatoni pasta is preferable since it is shorter and broader than ziti.
- Before combining, make sure the cream cheese is melted.
- Make extra spaghetti in case any rips and breaks.
FAQs
What can I do with a lot of ricotta cheese?
RECIPES FOR SAVORY RICOTTA
Pasta with lemon ricotta.
Ricotta and pea crostini.
Pesto with sun-dried tomatoes.
Flatbread with zucchini and herbed ricotta.
Strawberry Ricotta Cake (very simple!)
1 dish raspberry and ricotta cake
Ricotta pancakes with a fluffy texture.
French toast casserole with ricotta and berries.
How many eggs should I add to my ricotta cheese?
Ingredients
12 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (half skim or whole milk) 32 ounce ricotta cheese (2 lb.
⅓ cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese* 2 eggs.
To taste, freshly ground black pepper.
12 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves (finely cut; measure before chopping)
(Optional) 12 teaspoon garlic powder
Can I freeze ricotta cheese?
Ricotta cheese may be frozen, however keep in mind that previously frozen ricotta cheese will only work in particular recipes. Ricotta has a high moisture content, therefore the water in it will turn to ice when frozen, causing the texture to alter.
What is the difference between ricotta and Italian ricotta?
Non-Italian cheeses that are similar
In the United States, American ricotta is almost always made of cow’s milk whey, as opposed to Italian ricotta which is typically made from the whey of sheep, cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo milk.
What does adding egg to ricotta do?
Eggs assist to bind the ricotta cheese, but if you don’t have any on hand, you may remove them. Adding an egg to ricotta cheese helps to bind the cheese for lasagna, preventing it from oozing out when you cut it. Basically, the egg keeps all of the cheesy deliciousness together.
Why do you drain ricotta?
Straining ricotta is required for creamy Italian sweets to prevent the recipe from turning watery. Ricotta is my favorite Italian cheese since it’s creamy, tasty, and adaptable. It’s a favorite in Baked Ziti, Sausage Lasagna, pizza, Three Cheese Calzones, and desserts like Cannoli!
Does 1 jumbo egg equal 2 eggs?
If the recipe calls for one egg, use whichever size you have in your carton: small, medium, extra-large, or jumbo. Two big eggs: If the recipe calls for two large eggs, you may substitute two medium, extra-large, or jumbo eggs.
What can I add to store bought ricotta?
Some individuals like to season their ricotta with garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, while others like more classic flavors like salt and pepper or even lemon zest.
What does adding egg to ricotta for lasagna do?
The addition of an egg helps to bond the ricotta filling, giving it additional body. Layer your baking dish in the following order: sauce, noodles, and cheese. Rep these steps, finishing with a coating of beef sauce.
What do you eat ricotta with?
For a quick dinner, spread ricotta over bread and top with nearly anything. It goes well with corn and scallions, pesto and tomatoes, and a fried egg. You can also serve it as a dessert by topping it with strawberries and honey or banana and nutella.