28 Ricotta Cheese Recipes You’re Guaranteed To Love

Cheese is one of the finer pleasures in life, it goes with almost any meal.  However, ricotta cheese is in a class all of its own. 

It is one of the most versatile cheeses on the market and can be used in anything from breakfast, to dinner, to desserts. 

If you think that you need to incorporate this cheese into your life on a more regular basis, you’re not wrong, although you may be stuck for inspiration. 

28 Ricotta Cheese Recipes You’re Guaranteed To Love

Well look no further as in this article, we will be looking at 28 of the best ricotta cheese recipes that you and your family are guaranteed to love.

Before long, you will be sneaking this delicious dairy product into multiple meals a week. 

The best thing about ricotta is that it is a relatively healthy option. 

High in protein and nutrients such as vitamin A, as well as being low in fat and salt means that it is a great ingredient to add a creamy texture and flavor to a myriad of dishes and treats. 

Now that you are completely convinced that adding ricotta to every meal time is a great idea, let’s get into the recipes that you are guaranteed to love.

1. Ricotta Cheese Pancakes

This recipe is perfect for an indulgent breakfast or a delicious sweet treat. 

Adding the ricotta to pancakes gives them a creamy, luxurious texture and makes them feel a lot more naughty than they are. 

As mentioned above, ricotta adds extra protein to these pancakes which means that they are perfect for breakfast before a long day or post hike snack. 

The ricotta doesn’t add a strong cheesy flavor to the pancakes so you can still enjoy your favorite sweet toppings. 

2. Ricotta Cheese Cookies

Staying with the sweet treat theme, these ricotta cheese cookies are a sweet tooth dream of a snack. 

The ricotta helps to keep them moist and creamy but lower in fat and salt.  The recipe calls for sprinkles, sugar, or candied fruit, however, you can top them with anything that you like. 

These adorable little cookes will be a great addition to your next party, gathering, or movie night with the family. 

Best of all, these cookies are suitable for freezing once they have been baked so you can always have some on hand to snack on. 

3. Spinach And Ricotta Pasta

If you are looking for savory dishes to add ricotta to, you can’t go wrong with this spinach and ricotta pasta recipe. 

The sauce for this recipe is so quick and easy to make you’ll find yourself returning to it time and time again. 

The nutritional profile of this dish makes it perfect for the whole family. With the iron content of the spinach and the protein of the ricotta, it is a great addition to a balanced meal plan. 

You can increase the healthiness of this dish by substituting the regular pasta for wholegrain or even lentil pasta. 

4. Ricotta Cheese Gnocchi

If you’re a fan of gnocchi (see also ‘33 Must-Try Gnocchi Recipes For The Ultimate Taste Of Italy‘) but haven’t been brave enough to try and make it yourself at home, this is a brilliant, fool proof option.

Even if you aren’t the biggest lover of gnocchi, the ricotta changes the consistency and taste slightly and might appeal to you more. 

Because this is such a cheap and easy recipe to make, it is a great way to experiment with gnocchi. 

Even for beginners, this gnocchi can be whipped up in under 30 minutes, including cooking time and is made mostly from ingredients that you will already have in your kitchen.  Perfect for a weeknight dinner. 

5. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes With Ricotta

These twice baked sweet potatoes (see also ‘Leftover Baked Potato Recipes: 16 Of The Best‘) with ricotta topping feel like the ultimate indulgent lunchtime treat, but are surprisingly tasty.

The resulting dish is an incredibly creamy, flavorful dish that is low calorie and super healthy. 

This recipe uses fat-free ricotta but you can substitute full-fat ricotta if you prefer. 

Simply serve it with a freshly made side salad for a filling and balanced lunch that the whole family will love.

6. Pasta With Fresh Tomato Sauce And Ricotta

You might begin to notice that ricotta works very well in pasta dishes. 

This recipe for pasta with fresh tomato sauce and ricotta is a great option to create a creamy pasta dish that is still light enough to enjoy in the evening. 

The fresh tomatoes and ricotta give this dish a light and fresh taste, perfect for a hot summer’s evening. 

A squeeze of lemon over the finished dish can help to lift the flavors even further. 

7. Cannoli Dip

This cannoli dip recipe with ricotta and cream cheese will revolutionize your next party. 

Simply serve the dip with broken up waffle cones for the full taste of a cannoli without having to do the fiddly work of creating individual ones. 

If we’re honest, the best part of a cannoli is the filling anyway.  With this dip, you get more of the best bit and less of the shell.  

8. Lasagna With Ricotta

Lasagna is a popular family favorite dinner that never fails to fill a hole. 

However, there is no escaping the fact that it is heavy and occasionally can be stodgy which can put people off making it for dinner too often. 

Other than that, it can also be quite fiddly to make the different sauces necessary for the layers.

With this recipe however, you can whip up a midweek lasagna in next to no time, with no white sauce necessary. 

The result is a much lighter version of this italian favorite that can be ready in about an hour from start to finish. 

9. Vanilla Ricotta Dessert

If you haven’t gotten your ricotta fill with a pasta main, you can add some extra to your meal with this tasty vanilla ricotta dessert. 

This recipe is so quick and easy to make and only requires three ingredients. 

With the addition of a food processor and low calorie sweetener substitute, this can be a healthy dessert that feels decadent and like a true treat.

The ease of making this dessert will cement its place in your list of go to recipes.

10. Ricotta Cheese Cake

This ricotta cheese cake is a light and fluffy cake that is filled with cheese but crucially, it is not a cheesecake. 

There is no buttery cookie base with this recipe, instead it is a sponge cake that features a delicious, moist layer of ricotta cheese through the middle. 

While it may seem a little odd at first, once you taste this cake, you’ll be sharing it with your friends and family in no time. 

11. Asparagus Tart With Ricotta

This asparagus tart with ricotta makes a perfect midweek dinner in the warmer months. 

The puff pastry (see also ‘23 Puff Pastry Appetizers You Need To Try‘) and ricotta create a wonderfully light and flavorful dish that the whole family can enjoy. 

Because the ricotta is so creamy and mild, it really helps to accentuate the grassy, earthy flavor of the asparagus. 

If you like a bit of a kick, you can add some chili flakes before baking.

12. Ricotta And Parmesan Frittas

These ricotta and parmesan frittas are definitely one of the more unhealthy recipes on this list, but it still isn’t going to knock your diet or meal plan off course too badly. 

Because these frittas are made with ricotta and are pan fried rather than deep fried, they still provide a substantial portion of protein and nutrients despite the high cheese content.  

13. Traditional Tiropita With Ricotta

Tiropita is a traditional greek dish that is essentially a cheese pie that can be enjoyed at any time of the day guilt free.

Although the ricotta in this recipe is only mentioned as a swap, the idea of tiropita made with creamy ricotta is too tempting to omit from this list. 

You can make large versions of this dish for a main meal, or smaller portions to serve as snacks or midday meals. 

14. White Pizza With Broccoli

This recipe for white pizza with broccoli is sure to pique the attention of your family when you serve it for dinner. 

Putting a ricotta twist on the classic family favorite pizza night, this is a really healthy alternative to a take away. 

The dollops of ricotta spread across the surface during cooking to provide the appearance of a white pizza, a treat for the eyes and the tastebuds. 

15. Stuffed Jalapenos With Ricotta

If spice is your thing and you are wondering if perhaps ricotta might be too bland for you, think again. 

These stuffed jalapenos with ricotta allow you to enjoy the protein and creaminess of the ricotta with the heat of jalapenos.

These are essentially much healthier versions of much loved jalapeno poppers. 

16. Ricotta Meatballs

These ricotta meatballs are a great option to add a little twist to a common family favorite. 

The addition of ricotta cheese to these meatballs makes them irresistibly moist and tasty. 

The creamy flavor and texture is sure to be a winner with the whole family.  Best of all, they can be ready in as little as forty minutes. 

17. Spinach And Ricotta Ravioli 

As mentioned above, ricotta and pasta is a winning combination. 

Add in spinach too and you have an unbeatable selection of flavors and textures that brings color and flavor to any meal. 

Whether you are cooking a family meal that everyone loves or a romantic dinner for you and that special someone, this spinach and ricotta ravioli is sure to go down well. 

18. Spinach And Ricotta Stuffed Shells

If making ravioli yourself sounds far too fiddly for you, especially if you are looking for weeknight meals, these stuffed shells might be the compromise you are looking for. 

Instead of having to seal small parcels of pasta, you can simply spoon the spinach and ricotta mixture into the large pasta shells.

19. Ricotta Pasta With Beef

Ricotta and pasta also go really well with beef recipes.  The ricotta in this pasta recipe is a great addition to take some of the heat out of the chili flakes and make it a perfect dish to feed the whole family. 

It is possible to make this recipe in around twenty minutes, perfect for those busy weeknights where you want a healthy meal with little effort. 

20. Caramelized Onion Tart With Ricotta Cheese

This caramelized onion tart with ricotta cheese feels like a grown up pizza that wouldn’t be out of place at a sophisticated dinner party. 

The flavors of the caramelized onion, ricotta, and chili flakes work so well together and will have your family or your guests asking for the recipe.

21. Baked Ricotta Cheese With Lemon And Herbs

This baked ricotta cheese with lemon and herbs makes a great appetizer for your next dinner party or a great addition to a potluck table. 

Simply pair the baked ricotta with crackers or fresh bread to dip and you will find yourself in a melted cheese heaven.

Your guests will be begging you to make it again next time. 

22. Blueberry Ricotta Squares

This recipe is great as a dessert or simply as a sweet snack that the whole family can enjoy guilt-free. 

These blueberry ricotta squares are super easy to make and can be ready in as little as an hour with a very hands-off method.  Simply layer the mixtures in a baking pan and bake.  

23. Spinach And Ricotta Rolls

These spinach and ricotta rolls are a great option for a family picnic or simply an afternoon snack. 

The combination of flaky, buttery puff pastry and the light and creamy ricotta makes these rolls filling but not too heavy on the stomach.  They can also make great additions to lunchboxes.

24. Soft Scrambled Eggs With Ricotta

Adding ricotta to scrambled eggs might seem a little out there, but it really works. 

The ricotta helps to bring out the natural creaminess of the eggs and adds a slight cheesy flavor to the dish. 

This twist on a breakfast staple can make your regular breakfast feel more indulgent and decadent without being unhealthy.

25. Roasted Potatoes With Ricotta

These roasted potatoes with ricotta make a great side for a steak dinner or even a roast. 

The ricotta adds a great, creamy texture and flavor to the potatoes that makes them feel very luxurious. 

That can also make a great appetizer for a dinner party or as an addition to a buffet table at a party. 

26. Pappardelle With Creamy Ricotta Pesto

Although this is another pasta dish with ricotta, it is slightly different to the others in this list. 

The addition of the pesto and the garlic in this dish give it a great fresh taste that is perfect for your summer barbeques or al fresco dining. 

27. Homemade Ricotta Cheese Danishes With Lemon

These cheese danishes are a great addition to lunchboxes, picnics, pot lucks, and after school snacks

The creamy, lemony flavors are great during the summer to provide a fresh and delicious flavor. 

They are also great during the colder months to remind you of that summer feeling. 

28. Summer Pasta With Zucchini, Ricotta, And Basil

This summer pasta with zucchini, ricotta, and basil is a great option for those warm and balmy summer evenings where you can eat on your balcony or patio. 

There are so many beautiful flavors that compliment each other perfectly for a well rounded dish that the whole family can enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Better To Use Homemade Ricotta?

Although homemade ricotta is easy and simple to make, there is no need to go to these lengths to make quality ricotta dishes.

There are great options available from every grocery store that are just as delicious and healthy as homemade versions.

Final Thoughts

Ricotta is a wonderfully versatile dish that is a healthy addition to any meal. 

Because of its mild flavor, it works brilliantly in sweet and savory dishes and can add protein and extra nutrients to your diet.

28 Ricotta Cheese Recipes You’re Guaranteed To Love

28 Ricotta Cheese Recipes You’re Guaranteed To Love

Recipe by Jenna
Course: Appetizers
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