36 Delicious Ricotta Cheese Recipes, from Pastas to Pancakes
If your experience with ricotta only goes as far as lasagna, it’s time to reacquaint yourself with the creamy Italian cheese. From a creamy crostini topping to the secret ingredient in extra-fluffy pancakes, ricotta cheese is as versatile in the kitchen as it is tasty. (And we’ll be the first to admit that we’ve eaten it directly out of the container on more than one occasion.) For a little inspo of your own, here are 36 ricotta cheese recipes to prepare for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every snack in between.
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1. Broiled Citrus Ricotta Toast
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
2. Mini Spinach-Ricotta Calzones
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
3. Zucchini Ricotta Galette
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
4. Bacon, Fig and Ricotta Tartines
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
5. Ricotta-Honey Ice Cream
- Time Commitment: 4 hours
- Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
6. Carrot-Ricotta Tart with Pesto and Pine Nuts
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
7. Lasagna Soup
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, one pot, high protein
8. Ritz Crackers with Whipped Honey Ricotta and Bacon
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, one pan
9. Toasted Sourdough with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Ricotta and Pistachios
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, one pan
10. Gluten-Free Ricotta Cheesecake
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
11. Summer Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Ricotta
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
12. Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, high protein, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
13. Almond, Ricotta, Olive Oil and Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
14. Spicy Ricotta-Stuffed Phyllo Rolls
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
15. Ravioli Lasagna
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
16. Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
17. Sheet-Pan Strawberry Shortcake with Black Pepper, Whipped Honey Ricotta and Togarashi
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
18. Skillet Pasta with Summer Squash, Ricotta and Basil
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, one pan
19. Shakshuka with Sausage and Ricotta
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, high protein
20. Mixed Greens Lasagna
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
21. Asparagus, Pea and Ricotta Tarts
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
22. Honey Ricotta Dip
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, one pan, <10 ingredients
23. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
24. Grilled Peach, Chicken and Ricotta Pizza
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, beginner-friendly
25. Roasted Sweet Potato and Bacon Open-Faced Sandwich with Herbed Ricotta
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, one pan
26. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, one bowl, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, <30 minutes
27. Raspberry Ricotta Croissant French Toast
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
28. Lasagna-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, gluten free
29. Sweet and Spicy Corn Pasta with Ricotta and Chives
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
30. Sweet Potato and Caramelized Onion Pizza
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
31. Kale and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, kid-friendly
32. Gougeres Tea Sandwiches with Spiced Carrots, Tapenade and Ricotta
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 20 minutes (includes marinating time)
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
33. Lemon Ricotta Zucchini Pasta with Kalamata Olives
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian, gluten free
34. Honey-Lemon Ricotta Breakfast Toast with Figs and Pistachios
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
35. Mediterranean Roasted Sweet Potato and Farro Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
36. Baked Spaghetti with Ricotta
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, one pan, high protein, <10 ingredients
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For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.