Frederic Melton
Ricotta cheese is a versatile, smooth, and spreadable cheese with a light, milky flavor and a hint of sweetness. It is perfect for both sweet and savory dishes. However, like all dairy products, it has a limited shelf life. So, how good is ricotta cheese after its expiration date? Well, it depends on a few factors. Firstly, ricotta cheese that is continuously refrigerated can last 3 to 5 days past its sell-by or best before date. If frozen, it can last up to 3 months but may undergo texture and flavor changes. Additionally, opened ricotta cheese will generally stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week, but it should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. To identify spoilage, look for discoloration, mold, or a sour aroma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ricotta Cheese Expiry | 3-5 days after the "sell by" date or "best before" date |
| Refrigeration Temperature | Below 40 °F |
| Room Temperature Limit | 2 hours |
| Freezing Method | Covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags |
| Freezing Duration | Up to 3 months |
| Defrosting Methods | Fridge, microwave, or cold water |
| Defrosted Duration | 3-4 days (fridge), immediately (microwave or cold water) |
| Spoilage Signs | Discoloration, sour aroma, mold |
| Spoiled Container | Entire container is bad |
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What You'll Learn
Freezing ricotta cheese
Yes, you can freeze ricotta cheese! Ricotta is a versatile cheese that is too good to be wasted. While freezing ricotta cheese may alter its texture, it will not alter its flavor. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to freeze ricotta cheese:
Steps to Freeze Ricotta Cheese:
- Check the expiry date: It is best to freeze fresh cheese rather than wait until it is close to expiring.
- Drain liquid from the cheese: If you are freezing leftover ricotta or smaller portions, drain the excess liquid by pressing the cheese with paper towels.
- Wrap the cheese: Wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring no air is trapped between the cheese and the plastic.
- Place in a freezer bag or airtight container: Transfer the wrapped cheese to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. If using a bag, squeeze out as much air as possible.
- Label and date the container: Label the container with the type of cheese and the date.
- Freeze for up to two months: Place the ricotta cheese in the freezer for up to two months.
Thawing Frozen Ricotta Cheese:
- Thaw in the refrigerator: Always thaw frozen ricotta in the refrigerator and never at room temperature. It will take about 24 hours to defrost.
- Stir the softened cheese: Once softened, stir the cheese well. You may need to drain excess liquid, especially if using the ricotta for dishes like ravioli filling.
- Use within two days: Thawed ricotta should be used within two days and never refrozen.
Frozen ricotta is perfectly suitable for cooked recipes, such as Italian Pie, Ricotta Cavatelli, Spinach-Ricotta Quiche, or Baked Ziti with Sausage. However, it may not be the best choice for recipes where fresh ricotta is the star ingredient.
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Signs of spoilage
It's important to remember that ricotta cheese is a dairy product, and prioritising food safety is the best way to avoid food waste. Ricotta cheese will generally keep for about 3 to 5 days after the "sell by" or "best before" date on the package, assuming it has been continuously refrigerated. If kept at temperatures above 40 °F, ricotta cheese will rapidly develop signs of spoilage; ricotta cheese should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
- Discolouration: If you see any discolouration like blue, brown, or yellow, it can mean that mould has started to grow in the container and could spread.
- Sour aroma: Ricotta generally has no smell, so any sour aroma is a bad sign. Some hard cheeses can exhibit mould and not be fully spoiled, but with ricotta cheese, if there are any signs of spoilage, the whole container has gone bad.
- Texture changes: If frozen, ricotta cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.
- Liquid separation: When frozen ricotta cheese is thawed, there may be some liquid at the top of the container. Simply stir it back into the cheese, but be aware that it's best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles.
Remember, when in doubt, a quick sniff test is a good way to determine if your ricotta cheese is still safe to consume.
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Ricotta's shelf life
The shelf life of ricotta cheese depends on whether the package has been opened or not, and whether the cheese has been kept refrigerated. Unopened ricotta cheese will generally keep for about 3 to 5 days after the "sell by" or "best before" date on the package, as long as it has been continuously refrigerated. Opened ricotta cheese will stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week at most. If kept at temperatures above 40 °F, ricotta cheese will rapidly develop signs of spoilage; ricotta cheese should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
To further extend the shelf life of opened ricotta cheese, you can freeze it. To do this, place the ricotta inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen ricotta cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor. It is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles. When defrosted in the fridge, ricotta cheese can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days before using. If thawed in the microwave or in cold water, the ricotta should be used immediately.
There are signs to indicate if ricotta cheese has gone bad. If you see any discoloration like blue, brown, or yellow, it means that mold has started to grow in the container and could spread. Ricotta generally has no smell, so any sour aroma is a bad sign. If there are any signs of spoilage, the whole container has gone bad.
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How to store ricotta
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It is a soft, spreadable cheese with a creamy texture and a delicate, milky, sweet flavour. To store ricotta cheese, follow these steps:
Storing Unopened Ricotta Cheese:
Unopened ricotta cheese can be stored in the refrigerator. Make sure to check the use-by date on the package and consume it before that date. It is best to store unopened ricotta cheese in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually the back, to maintain its freshness.
Storing Opened Ricotta Cheese:
Once the ricotta cheese package has been opened, proper storage is crucial to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. Here are the steps to store opened ricotta cheese:
- Transfer the remaining ricotta cheese to an airtight container. You can also wrap the cheese tightly with plastic wrap.
- Place the container or wrapped cheese in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C).
- Consume the ricotta cheese within five to seven days of opening.
Freezing Ricotta Cheese:
If you have leftover ricotta cheese, you can freeze it for later use. Place small portions in heavy-duty freezer bags or airtight containers. For best results, use the frozen ricotta within three months. Keep in mind that freezing may cause some texture changes after thawing.
Signs of Spoilage:
When in doubt about the freshness of ricotta cheese, perform a quick sniff test. If the cheese has developed an unpleasant odour or has visible mould, discard it. Additionally, if the ricotta cheese has turned yellowish, it is best to discard it as it may indicate spoilage.
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Ricotta's uses
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. It is a soft, spreadable cheese with a creamy texture and a delicate, milky, sweet flavour. Here are some specific uses for ricotta cheese:
Lasagna
One of the most popular uses for ricotta cheese is in lasagna. It can be used as a filling, adding a creamy texture and a hint of sweetness to the dish.
Pasta Sauces
Ricotta cheese can also be used to make creamy pasta sauces. It can be added to tomato-based sauces for a pink sauce or used as the base for a white sauce.
Pancakes and Crepes
Ricotta cheese can be mixed into pancake or crepe batter to make them extra creamy and rich. It can also be used as a topping or filling, especially in blueberry pancakes.
Baked Goods
Ricotta cheese is excellent for baking. It can be used in cheesecakes, cakes, and cannoli fillings. Straining the ricotta cheese before baking helps reduce its liquid content, resulting in a firmer and creamier texture.
Savoury Dishes
In addition to the aforementioned uses, ricotta cheese can be a tasty addition to pizzas, fritatas, casseroles, and soups. It can be dolloped onto pizzas or mixed into savoury dishes, adding a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness.
When using ricotta cheese, it is important to note that it has a short shelf life due to its high moisture content. Opened ricotta should be stored covered and refrigerated and typically lasts for about a week. To extend its shelf life, ricotta can be frozen, but it may experience some texture changes after thawing, making it more suitable for cooked dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Unopened ricotta cheese will generally keep for about 3 to 5 days after its "sell by" or "best before" date, assuming it has been continuously refrigerated.
Opened ricotta cheese will stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week at most.
There are a few signs to indicate if ricotta cheese has gone bad. For example, if you see any discoloration like blue, brown, or yellow, it means mold has started to grow, and the whole container should be discarded. Ricotta generally has no smell, so any sour aroma is also a bad sign.
Yes, you can extend the shelf life of ricotta cheese by freezing it in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. However, the texture and flavor may change after thawing, and it is best suited for cooked dishes.
