Have you been looking for Ricotta Cheese Recipes to add a light but luscious twist to your favorite meals and desserts?
We have 23 recipes that use ricotta cheese, here to help inspire your next meal!
Ricotta recipes are top-rated among food enthusiasts, given ricotta’s delicious taste and appealing consistency.
And that’s no real surprise to us!
Ricotta is a soft, mild, and highly agreeable cheese, and it goes well in many recipes and for many different occasions.
This is because recipes with ricotta cheese can be sweet, savory, or a little bit of both.
And ricotta is versatile in terms of when people like to eat it.
There are ricotta recipes for all times of the day and every type of course.
Whether you’re a ricotta cheese fanatic or you simply want to expand your horizons and experiment with this cheese, you might be wondering what to make with ricotta cheese in the first place.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
From Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells to the light and lovely Baked Ricotta Dip, to the base that started it all Homemade Ricotta Cheese, you’re going to be so happy you stopped by!
Here are 23 fantastic ricotta cheese recipes for you to try.
If you’re the type of person that likes quick meals and purchasing items premade to save time—then skip ahead to the following recipe.
But if you want to start any of your ricotta recipes with your homemade ricotta cheese, this recipe is for you!
It requires only three simple ingredients—whole milk, salt, and lemon juice—as well as a cheesecloth and ricotta basket to get started.
Be sure not to use ultra-pasteurized milk, or this recipe just won’t work out!
We all know pasta and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly.
But who says mozzarella and parmesan have to be the king and queen cheeses of Italian dishes?
Ricotta goes well with pasta too, and it is complemented with parmesan in this recipe so that you can have the best of both worlds.
Plus, you’ll get the savory taste of bacon and garlic, the slight sweetness of plum tomatoes, and a bit of spiciness with red pepper flakes.
Who says you can’t have it all?
If you like the idea of using ricotta in your favorite Italian recipe but aren’t ready to make the leap to pasta, how about trying these ricotta cheese balls?
You can throw them on pasta, eat them alongside your main protein and vegetable side, or even use them as a family-style vegetarian appetizer.
No family member or guest will be disappointed if you bring out these fried, saucy ricotta cheese balls.
People often think of sweet desserts when they think of tarts—and don’t worry, we’ll get to dessert later—but this ricotta tart is a savory delight with fresh herbs and a slightly spicy kick.
This recipe combines ricotta cheese with parsley, black pepper, fresh basil, ground nutmeg, and more potent yet delightful flavors.
Last but certainly not least, you get to add not only ricotta but lots of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese as well.
Although a slightly lengthy total cooking time of 1 hour and 15 minutes, we recommend this recipe for beginners looking for a slight challenge.
It’s hard to go wrong with all the cheese and herbs in this recipe!
Ricotta is very popular in Italian dishes; as such, we want to include two more Italian ricotta recipes in this list.
There are numerous great ricotta Italian dishes, but there are many other ricotta recipes out there as well, so we had to limit these delicious Italian saucy recipes.
But this Spinach Ricotta got a spot on our list due to how much it highlights creamy cheese.
The pasta shells in this recipe are meant to be completely stuffed with ricotta, then covered in marinara sauce, making for a truly delightful, flavorful, and filling meal.
Trust us—at the end of this meal, you’ll be just as stuffed as the pasta was!
We had to include pizza for the last classic Italian dish on this list of recipes with ricotta cheese.
Why? Because almost everyone loves pizza!
But this isn’t the type of pizza pie you are probably thinking of, flat with marinara sauce on top.
This recipe is actually a thick, savory pie filled with salty meats like ham, prosciutto, and pepperoni, with breading on both the bottom and top.
It freezes super well, so it’s an excellent ricotta recipe option if you are looking to make a big dish you can eat throughout the week.
Ricotta toast is a nice, quick bite to consider making when you want to whip up a quick appetizer or afternoon snack.
Ideally suited for the summer and spring seasons, this recipe calls for fresh herbs and juicy tomatoes, all brought together with the base of toasted bread and creamy ricotta.
However, ricotta toast isn’t complete without balsamic vinegar topping, so don’t forget that finishing touch!
This spinach and ricotta slab pie recipe creates a large, savory dish that works excellently for parties, events, and large gatherings.
It’s a great appetizer or snack dish that goes well with other appetizers or just by itself.
The cheese will get people to fall in love, and the garlicky spinach will have them coming back — so be sure to make a good amount!
Spinach and ricotta clearly pair well in savory pies, but they also go well together in cheese muffins.
These cheese muffins, made with finely chopped onions, black ground pepper, and fresh spinach, are a savory light meal that you can snack on for a quick breakfast or munch on if you can’t quite wait for dinner at 3 p.m.
If you make plenty, this recipe can be sliced and served as an event appetizer as well.
Another appetizer on our list of ricotta cheese recipes has to be baked ricotta dip.
We recommend preparing this for smaller, more intimate gatherings like wine nights or book clubs.
Garlic, lemon, and rosemary complement this delectable dip’s soft ricotta texture and flavor.
Best of all, this recipe includes other fan-favorite cheeses like parmesan and mozzarella for some seriously cheesy goodness.
This recipe is one of the best savory recipes with ricotta cheese because it has everything you need to start your day off with a punch.
Ricotta is mixed into the waffle batter for a fluffy, delightful finish.
But beyond that, this recipe instructs you to serve the waffles with a hot jam, including honey, crushed red pepper, and lemon juice.
If you like strong flavors for your breakfast or are a big fan of eating breakfast for dinner, you might wish to save this recipe.
A galette is similar to a tart or a pie as it is made with rolled-out dough and filled with delicious ingredients.
The difference with galettes is mainly style and presentation.
This might be a more complicated recipe, but it is an optimal choice for the holiday season if you want to impress and delight your loved ones at the dining table.
This recipe combines ricotta with asparagus, mushrooms, and parmesan for a rustic look and delicious taste.
If you liked the idea of a presentable galette in the last recipe but aren’t a big fan of asparagus, you can try this ricotta and zucchini galette instead.
Filled to the brim with white cheese, light green herbs, mixed green zucchini, and red tomatoes, this meal has a festive holiday meal written all over it!
But if you only wish to use seasonal ingredients, you can use this recipe in the spring and summer months, too, of course.
Best of all, it is delicious hot, but it stays delicious when it cools down as well.
More pastries, please?
Your wish is our command!
This pie is meant to be gently handcrafted for the perfect finish.
If you have time and attention and want to create something genuinely delightful for a special meal, this ricotta and tomato savory hand pie might do the trick.
We’ve discussed how ricotta goes well with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables, but we can’t forget fruits!
Cheese and fruit tend to pair well, especially for light snacking purposes, and this ricotta and roasted grape crostini recipe is no exception.
They are also effortless to put together.
You’ll only need five minutes and five ingredients to make a delicious, quick picnic snack or pre-dinner appetizer.
If you make extra, be sure not to put the crostinis in the fridge, or they will get soggy.
It’s okay to leave them at room temperature and munch on them later.
Grab a napkin because you might start to drool when you read about this recipe.
Bacon, cheddar, chive, and ricotta pancakes are as large of a mouthful to say as it is to eat when you inevitably try to fit each of these wonderful ingredients into every bite!
Ricotta pancakes tend to be thicker, softer, and, of course, cheesier than your standard breakfast pancakes, making them all the more scrumptious.
Couple that with sour cream, chives, bacon, and cheddar, and you have a calorie-packed, energizing meal to kickstart your day.
Cheeses such as cheddar, goat cheese, and feta tend to get the most love when it comes to breakfast dishes, especially with eggs.
But this baked eggs recipe demonstrates that you can also have a delicious and highly nutritious meal with ricotta.
It takes only 15 minutes to make and is a savory delight that you can enjoy for lunch or dinner as well.
Cheesy bread needs no introduction.
As is usually the case with cheesy bread, several kinds of cheese are involved in making the bread a true cheese-lover’s dream come true.
This recipe combines not only ricotta but mozzarella and parmesan for this bread, resulting in cheesy goodness that is complemented with a fresh rosemary and cayenne finish.
Be sure to use Fresh Rosemary, or it just won’t taste the same.
Time for dessert!
Ricotta isn’t only meant for savory dishes.
This creamy cheese is perfect for dessert, especially cakes, creams, and sweet pastries.
This ricotta recipe involves the sweet, tart flavor of lemon to complement the cheese and the juiciness of lemons to create a cake with a soft, fluffy texture.
Yum!
We love all cake.
But sometimes cheesecake, well, takes the cake!
And this gluten-free ricotta cheesecake recipe definitely takes the cake because it is so simple, calling for only three ingredients—ricotta cheese, eggs, and sugar.
For those who can’t live without a crust on their cheesecake, it is easy to add one to this recipe.
Ricotta crumb bars tend to taste a lot like ricotta cheesecake, but you’ll get more of the crunchiness that complements the soft ricotta middle.
It is also easier to serve and is an excellent idea if you’re asked to bring a dessert to a potluck or small-to-medium-sized gathering.
22. Ricotta Cookies
If you’ve been looking for what to do with ricotta cheese and you are a cookie lover, look no further than these unique, tender, eye-catching cookies.
Hard cookies are nice when paired with milk or tea, but sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into a soft, delightful, welcoming cookie, and the softness of ricotta does just the trick for these cookies.
While this beautiful topping doesn’t end up as smooth as straight whipped cream, the character of ricotta adds a density that gives it gravitas.
Pair it with quiche, atop a sweet buttermilk or pumpkin pie, accompany the finest of scones, it’s nearly universal as a side or finisher.
If you end up with too much you can always freeze it, too.
The bottom line
As you can see, ricotta cheese goes so well with various dishes, including appetizers, meals, snacks, and desserts.
A recipe using ricotta cheese can complement many types of meat, veggies, fruit, and other cheeses and can be both savory and sweet.
Love ricotta but don’t have any on hand? Check out our FAQ and see if you have one of these substitutes on hand.
We love ricotta cheese and hope you will, too, after trying some of these recipes out!
23 BEST Ways To Cook With Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese goes so well with various dishes, including appetizers, meals, snacks, and desserts.
Ingredients
- Homemade Ricotta Cheese
- Pasta With Spinach and Ricotta Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese Balls
- Savory Ricotta Tart
- Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells
- Pizza Rustica
- Ricotta Toast
- Spinach and Ricotta Slab Pie
- Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Muffins
- Baked Ricotta Dip
- Savory Ricotta Waffles with Red Hot Jam
- Ricotta and Asparagus Galette
- Ricotta and Zucchini Galette
- Ricotta and Tomato Savory Hand Pie
- Ricotta & Roasted Grape Crostini
- Bacon, Cheddar, Chive Ricotta Pancakes
- Ramp Ricotta Baked Eggs
- One Bowl Herbed Ricotta Cheesy Bread
- Lemon and Ricotta Cake
- Ricotta Cheesecake
- Ricotta Crumb Bars
- Ricotta Cookies
- Lemon ricotta whipped cream
Instructions
- Choose one or more options from our list of ricotta cheese recipes here!
- Create your new favorite dish.
- Pat yourself on the back for making food at home for you to enjoy!
- Share and comment on our Facebook page!