Andy Montoya
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, from savoury to sweet. But how does it fare on pizza? Ricotta is a soft, mild-tasting cheese with a grainy texture, and its ability to hold its shape when heated makes it perfect for dolloping onto pizza. While some people find it bland, others rave about its creamy texture and how it complements other toppings. So, if you're thinking of trying ricotta on your next pizza, read on to discover some popular flavour combinations and tips for using this cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Mild, milky, salty, slightly acidic, creamy |
| Texture | Rich, gooey, holds its shape when heated |
| Type of Pizza | White pizza (without tomato sauce) |
| Flavour Combinations | Spinach, garlic, fennel sausage, pepperoni, caramelized onion, chives, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan, rosemary, parsley, nutmeg, mushrooms, chicken |
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What You'll Learn
Ricotta cheese is mild, milky, salty, and slightly acidic
Ricotta cheese has a mild, milky, salty, and slightly acidic flavour. This unique taste comes from the process of making the cheese with acid, which causes its proteins to become heat resistant. As a result, ricotta doesn't melt, similar to other cheeses like halloumi and paneer. Its heat resistance makes it ideal for pizza as it holds its shape when heated, adding a creamy texture without becoming gooey.
When used on pizza, ricotta is often paired with stronger flavours and ingredients. For example, a white pizza might feature ricotta with garlic and rosemary, or spinach and fennel sausage. The saltiness of ricotta can be enhanced with a sprinkle of kosher salt or sea salt, but table salt should be avoided as it can make the pizza overly salty.
Ricotta is also commonly used on red pizzas, where it can be paired with ingredients like pepperoni, caramelised onions, spinach, and chives. However, some people find that ricotta's mild flavour can be overpowered by stronger toppings or a tomato sauce. In these cases, ricotta can be used to add texture without contributing a strong flavour.
Ricotta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. It is a popular choice for pasta fillings, desserts like cheesecake, and, of course, pizza. Its mild, milky, salty, and slightly acidic flavour, along with its heat resistance and creamy texture, make it a unique and tasty addition to many recipes.
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It doesn't melt, so it holds its shape when heated
Ricotta cheese is a great choice for pizza as it holds its shape when heated. This is because the cheese is formed using acid, which makes its proteins heat-resistant. In other words, ricotta doesn't melt, so it won't reduce to a pool of goo when baked. This makes it perfect for dolloping over pizza crust, adding a rich and creamy texture to the pizza.
While ricotta is known for its mild, milky, and slightly salty taste, some find it bland. This is likely because the acid used in its production masks the cheese's flavour. As a result, ricotta is often paired with stronger flavours or ingredients that provide texture, such as pepperoni, caramelised onions, spinach, and chives.
However, because of its mild taste, ricotta is commonly used on white pizzas, which don't have a tomato sauce that could overpower the cheese's delicate flavour. Instead, a drizzle of olive oil or a brush of garlic-infused olive oil can be used as a base. Spinach is a popular topping for white ricotta pizzas, as it adds colour, tastes delicious with ricotta, and boosts the pizza's nutritional value with iron, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K.
To enhance the flavour of ricotta cheese on pizza, it's recommended to use kosher salt or a pinch of flaky sea salt, as regular table salt will make the dish too salty.
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It's often used on white pizzas without tomato sauce
Ricotta is a popular choice for white pizzas without tomato sauce. Its mild, creamy flavour and heat-resistant properties make it an excellent base for pizzas. When cheese is formed using acid, the proteins become heat resistant, which is why ricotta doesn't melt and is perfect for holding its shape on a pizza.
A popular recipe for a white pizza with ricotta includes a drizzle of olive oil infused with garlic and rosemary, with some recipes even suggesting adding these ingredients straight to the dough. The pizza is then topped with dollops of ricotta, spread evenly with a spoon or spatula, followed by mozzarella and parmesan. Some recipes also suggest topping the pizza with chopped parsley for a fresh finish.
Ricotta is often paired with spinach, which adds colour and nutrition to the pizza, tasting delicious with the creamy cheese. Other toppings include sun-dried tomatoes, fennel sausage, and even nutmeg. The mild flavour of ricotta means it can be easily overpowered, so it is often paired with simple, mild toppings.
While some people enjoy the mild flavour of ricotta, others find it bland, especially when paired with stronger toppings like pepperoni and caramelised onion. However, its creamy texture and ability to hold its shape make it a unique and interesting addition to any pizza.
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It can be paired with spinach, garlic, and/or fennel sausage
Ricotta cheese has a mild, milky, salty, and slightly acidic taste. Its mild flavour makes it a good pairing with stronger-tasting ingredients like spinach, garlic, and fennel sausage.
Spinach and ricotta is a classic combination, with the creamy texture of the cheese complementing the vegetable's texture. Spinach has a mild flavour that won't overpower the ricotta, and the two ingredients together create a healthy flavour profile. When using spinach on a pizza, it's best to cook it first. You can sauté it in a skillet with some olive oil and roasted garlic cloves.
Garlic is another great pairing with ricotta. The cheese readily takes on the flavour of garlic, and the two ingredients together create a rich, savoury taste. You can infuse ricotta with garlic by blending sautéed garlic cloves into the cheese before spreading it on the pizza dough. You can also add garlic powder, or fresh herbs and garlic, to the ricotta before spreading it on the pizza.
Fennel sausage is another ingredient that pairs well with ricotta cheese on pizza. The mild-tasting, creamy ricotta blends beautifully with the sweetness of caramelized onion and fennel, as well as the saltiness of Italian-style sausage. The fennel seed-infused crust of the pizza also adds an extra layer of flavour.
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It can be used as a base and topped with stronger flavours
Ricotta cheese has a mild, milky, salty and slightly acidic flavour. Its mild taste means that it can act as a base for stronger flavours. For example, a red or white pizza can be topped with mounds of ricotta and baked as usual. White pizzas are made without a traditional tomato sauce, allowing the flavour of the ricotta to shine through.
One recipe for a white pizza involves brushing the crust with a mixture of garlic, rosemary and olive oil, then spreading ricotta on top, followed by mozzarella and parmesan. The ricotta can also be mixed with herbs and garlic and stuffed into portobello mushroom caps before grilling, or mixed with honey and cinnamon and layered with fresh berries in a parfait glass.
Ricotta is also commonly paired with spinach, either on pizza or stuffed into pasta. Its mild flavour means that it can be seasoned with salt without becoming overpowering. It can also be mixed with stronger cheeses like parmesan or Romano, or paired with stronger toppings like pepperoni, caramelised onion, or fennel sausage.
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Frequently asked questions
Ricotta cheese is known for its mild, creamy, and milky taste. It is also slightly salty and acidic. When added to pizza, ricotta adds to the overall texture without contributing too much to the flavor.
To make a ricotta cheese pizza, you can follow this recipe for a white pizza: brush a mixture of garlic, rosemary, and olive oil on the crust, dollop and spread ricotta on top, and then sprinkle mozzarella cheese. You can also add toppings such as spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or baby spinach.
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It can be baked, stuffed into pasta or shells, or used as a base for crab bites. It also pairs well with honey and cinnamon and can be used to make a parfait.
It is recommended to use kosher salt or a pinch of flaky sea salt to bring out the flavor of the ricotta cheese. Table salt should be avoided as it will make the pizza too salty.
