Bushra Griffith
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, including spaghetti. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice cook, creating a delicious spaghetti dish with ricotta cheese is an excellent option for a quick, tasty meal. With its creamy texture and mild flavour, ricotta cheese adds a unique twist to traditional spaghetti recipes. In this paragraph, we will explore different ways to incorporate ricotta cheese into spaghetti, from simple sauces to baked creations, providing you with the knowledge to craft your own mouth-watering ricotta spaghetti masterpiece.
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What You'll Learn
Ricotta cheese as a sauce
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various ways to create delicious spaghetti dishes. One popular method is to create a creamy sauce by blending the ricotta with other ingredients such as garlic, basil, and lemon zest. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a creamy ricotta sauce for your spaghetti:
Preparing the Ingredients:
Start by gathering your ingredients. For a basic ricotta sauce, you will need ricotta cheese, salt, and pepper. You can also add other ingredients like garlic, basil, lemon zest, or nutmeg to enhance the flavour. Ensure you use fresh, thick whole milk ricotta as skimmed milk varieties may be too thin and watery.
Mixing the Sauce:
In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, salt, and pepper until well blended. If you're using additional ingredients like garlic or basil, add them to the mix now. For a smoother sauce, you can use a blender or food processor to ensure the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Cooking the Pasta:
While you're preparing the sauce, cook your spaghetti according to the package instructions. Aim for an al dente texture, which means the pasta is cooked through but still firm to the bite. Reserve some of the pasta cooking water, about 1/3 to 2 tablespoons, as this starchy liquid will help thin out your sauce if needed.
Combining the Sauce and Pasta:
Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot. Add the ricotta cheese mixture and gently mix over low heat. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add small amounts of the reserved pasta water, stirring continuously, until you achieve your desired consistency. Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serving the Dish:
Once your spaghetti is coated in the creamy ricotta sauce, it's ready to serve. You can top the dish with additional grated Parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for an extra indulgent touch. This sauce pairs well with various types of pasta, so feel free to experiment with different shapes and varieties.
Remember, ricotta has a mild flavour, so don't be shy with the seasoning. You can also try adding other ingredients like spinach or Calabrese pesto to create unique flavour profiles. Enjoy your homemade spaghetti with ricotta cheese sauce!
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Baked spaghetti with ricotta
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti
- Ricotta Cheese
- Marinara Sauce (either homemade or store-bought)
- Ground Beef
- Onion
- Garlic
- Italian Seasoning (or a combination of dried oregano, thyme and rosemary)
- Salt and Pepper
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Parsley
- Eggs (optional)
Method:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Start by heating some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and use a wooden spoon to break it up as it cooks. Once the beef is mostly browned, add the chopped onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onions are tender, about 7 to 8 minutes.
Next, stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, but remember to cook it for one minute less than al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain the spaghetti and return it to the hot pan.
Now it's time to assemble the layers in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Start by spreading a spoonful of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Then, add half of the cooked spaghetti, followed by half of the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers, ending with a layer of sauce.
Finally, add dollops of ricotta cheese on top, spreading it evenly to coat the pasta without 'burying' it. You can add pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed. Sprinkle with more mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and some parsley.
Bake the spaghetti, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is melted and browned. Let it cool for about 10 minutes, garnish with the reserved parsley, and then cut into squares, just like lasagna, and serve. Enjoy!
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Ricotta with Calabrese pesto
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various ways to enhance the flavour and creaminess of spaghetti. One way to use ricotta cheese in spaghetti is to make a sauce with it. Here is a recipe for spaghetti with ricotta and Calabrese pesto:
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Red bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Basil
- Ricotta cheese
- Pecorino cheese
- Oregano
- Salt and pepper
- Red chilli flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, or firm to the bite. Drain the spaghetti, reserving some of the cooking water.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the Calabrese pesto. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender.
- Add the red bell peppers and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes, a pinch of salt and pepper, and chilli powder or red pepper flakes to taste. Continue cooking until the peppers are very tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Transfer the pepper mixture to a blender along with the basil and blend until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pepper and basil purée with ricotta cheese, pecorino cheese, and oregano. Stir until well combined.
- In a large pan over medium-low heat, mix the drained spaghetti with the Calabrese pesto. Adjust the consistency of the sauce with the reserved pasta cooking water if needed.
- Stir until the spaghetti is coated in the sauce and heated through. Serve immediately, garnishing with extra ricotta cheese and a sprinkle of red chilli flakes if desired.
This recipe creates a spicy and creamy spaghetti dish, with the ricotta cheese adding a rich and creamy texture to the sauce. The combination of flavours and spices from the Calabrese pesto makes for a unique and delicious take on traditional spaghetti.
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Ricotta with spinach
Ricotta and spinach is a classic combination for pasta. Here are some tips and recipes to help you use ricotta and spinach in spaghetti:
Ingredients
Use high-quality full-fat ricotta for the best texture and flavour. Fresh spinach is recommended, but frozen spinach can also be used. You can also add grilled chicken or salmon to your pasta for extra protein. If you want to add more vegetables, try sautéed asparagus, artichoke, or green peas. Sun-dried tomatoes and lemon zest or juice can also be added for extra flavour.
Preparation
If you are using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw and squeeze out the excess liquid before adding it to the ricotta. You can also add other ingredients to the ricotta, such as lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg.
Cooking
Cook your spaghetti according to the package instructions. In the meantime, prepare your sauce by combining the ricotta, spinach, and any other ingredients you are using in a separate bowl. Add a ladle of the boiling pasta water to the ricotta mixture to create a loose, creamy sauce. Transfer this mixture to a saucepan and heat it on low. Once the spaghetti is cooked, carefully lift it into the sauce and toss to mix well. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add more pasta water to loosen it.
Baking
For a baked pasta dish, prepare the ricotta and spinach mixture as mentioned above, and then top it with pasta sauce and cheese. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Variations
You can also use ricotta and spinach in stuffed pasta dishes, such as cannelloni, rotolo, or shells. Simply stuff the pasta with the ricotta and spinach mixture and bake it in the oven.
Ricotta and spinach spaghetti is a versatile and delicious dish that can be customised to your taste. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and cooking methods!
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Ricotta with tomato sauce
Tomato ricotta pasta is a simple yet delicious meal that can be whipped up in under 30 minutes. The key to this recipe is to use fresh, thick whole milk ricotta as the skim milk variety is too thin and watery. The ricotta adds depth and creaminess to the dish.
Ingredients
- Ricotta cheese
- Tomato sauce (made from canned tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, sieved tomatoes in jars (passata), or fresh tomatoes)
- Pasta of your choice (spaghetti, rigatoni, paccheri, orecchiette, etc.)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Basil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
Optional Ingredients
- Parsley
- Feta cheese
- Bacon
- Lemon zest
- Red pepper
- Onions
- Pesto
Instructions
Start by boiling water in a large pot and cooking the pasta of your choice until it is al dente. Drain the pasta, but do not rinse it.
For the tomato sauce, you can either use a simple tomato sauce or make your own by simmering tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, and salt for 10-15 minutes.
To make the ricotta sauce, whisk the ricotta cheese with salt and pepper to taste in a separate bowl. You can also add a small amount of pasta water to the ricotta and mix until it becomes smooth and creamy.
Combine the pasta with the tomato sauce and ricotta sauce, mixing well. Add more ricotta if needed, but be careful not to overpower the other flavours.
Finally, top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to make spaghetti with ricotta cheese. One way is to make a sauce by mixing ricotta cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Boil pasta of your choice in salted water, drain it, and return it to the pot. Add the ricotta cheese mixture, some pasta water, lemon zest, and grated cheese. Mix over low heat and serve hot.
Yes, you can bake spaghetti with ricotta cheese. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat oil in a skillet, add ground beef, and cook until browned. Add onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is brown and onions are tender. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, drain, and return to the pan. Toss with ricotta cheese, layer with meat sauce in a baking dish, and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
You can add several other ingredients to spaghetti with ricotta cheese. Many recipes include garlic, basil, and Parmesan cheese. You can also add nutmeg, Calabrese pesto, olive oil, or lemon zest. For a heartier meal, include ground beef or sausage.
Yes, you can reheat spaghetti with ricotta cheese. Add a splash of pasta water or plain water to loosen the dish. Gently warm it in a pan over low heat while stirring. You can also freeze the dish and thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
