Andy Montoya
Ricotta is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. If you have some leftover ricotta in your fridge, there are plenty of ways to use it up. A popular option is to add it to pancake batter, which results in fluffier pancakes. It can also be used in other breakfast dishes, such as French toast, crepes, and omelettes. For a quick snack, you can spread it on toast or use it as a dip for crudités and crackers. Ricotta is also commonly used in Italian dishes like pizza, lasagna, stuffed shells, and ravioli. It can be added to pasta sauces to make them creamier and can even be used to make gnocchi. Additionally, ricotta is a key ingredient in cheesecakes, cakes, and cookies, adding a slight tanginess and fluffiness to the dessert.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ricotta as a spread | Can be spread on toast, bagels, wraps, sandwiches, and French toast |
| Ricotta as a dip | Can be mixed with honey, vanilla, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper |
| Ricotta as a dessert | Can be mixed with sugar, lemon, vanilla extract, and blueberries |
| Ricotta as a side | Can be served with roasted vegetables, such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and potatoes |
| Ricotta in pasta | Can be used in stuffed shells, ravioli, agnolotti, gnocchi, lasagna, and spinach sauce |
| Ricotta in pizza | Can be used as a topping |
| Ricotta in cakes | Can be used in cheesecakes, lemon pound cakes, and olive oil cakes |
| Ricotta in cookies | Can be used to make light and fluffy cookies |
| Ricotta in appetizers | Can be used in meatballs, cannoli, calzones, and vegetable sides |
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What You'll Learn
Ricotta in pancakes, French toast, and crepes
Ricotta cheese can be used in pancakes, French toast, and crepes in a variety of ways.
Pancakes
Ricotta cheese can be added to pancake batter to make the pancakes fluffier and richer. The ricotta adds a magical milky richness and creaminess to each bite without weighing down the pancakes. It is best to separate the eggs and whip the whites, folding them into the batter at the end. You can also add lemon or blueberries to bring out the flavour of the ricotta.
French Toast
French toast can be stuffed with ricotta cheese to make it extra creamy and rich. To make honey ricotta stuffed French toast, cut thick slices of French bread and spread ricotta, honey, and lemon zest on them. Dip the slices in a custard mixture of eggs and milk, and then cook them on a griddle or skillet over medium heat. The French toast is done when both sides are nicely browned and have a firm crust.
Crepes
Crepes are thin French pancakes that can be filled with a rich, lemon ricotta filling and topped with a quick berry compote. To make the crepes, pour batter into a hot pan and rotate the pan to coat the bottom evenly. Fry each side until golden brown spots form, then flip and cook the other side. For the lemon ricotta filling, whip all the ingredients together in a food processor until smooth.
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Ricotta on toast, bagels, and wraps
For ricotta on toast, simply spread 2 tablespoons of ricotta cheese on toasted bread. You can grill or toast the bread—a good crusty bread like sourdough works well, sliced about 1/2" thick and brushed with olive oil. You can top it with seasonal produce like mushrooms or strawberries, or add honey, corn, eggs, or even avocado. If you want to go savoury, try tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, or a smear of jam for a touch of sweetness.
Ricotta can also be used as a spread on bagels, a nice alternative to cream cheese. You can top it with pesto, tomatoes, and micro-herbs for a tasty breakfast bagel.
As for wraps, you can make gluten-free or high-protein ricotta-based wraps. Spread pesto on the wrap, add mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and season with pepper. Fold the wrap to encase the fillings and cut in half. Serve immediately and enjoy!
With its mild flavour and versatility, ricotta is an excellent choice for a quick and easy meal, and these simple dishes are a great way to use up any extra ricotta cheese.
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Ricotta in pasta, including stuffed shells and ravioli
Ricotta is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert and everything in between. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it a great addition to pasta dishes, including stuffed shells and ravioli.
Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells are a classic Italian comfort food that is perfect for using up extra ricotta cheese. To make this dish, you'll need jumbo pasta shells, tomato sauce or marinara sauce, and a ricotta filling. The ricotta filling is typically a mixture of ricotta cheese, steamed spinach, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and grated pecorino or parmesan cheese. You can also add an egg to the filling to help keep the cheese together and add moisture. Simply stuff the raw shells with the ricotta mixture, arrange them in a baking dish with your choice of sauce, and bake until cooked through.
Ravioli
Ravioli is another great option for using up extra ricotta. You can either make your own ravioli dough or use store-bought ravioli and stuff it with ricotta. To make the filling, mix ricotta with herbs, spices, and other cheeses of your choice. You can then cook the ravioli according to your preferred method, such as boiling, pan-frying, or baking.
Other Pasta Dishes
In addition to stuffed shells and ravioli, you can incorporate ricotta into a variety of pasta dishes. You can add dollops of ricotta to a pie or swirl it into any creamy pasta sauce to enhance richness and creaminess. You can also make a quick no-cook ricotta sauce flavoured with lemon and fresh basil to toss with your favourite pasta.
With its versatility and mild flavour, ricotta cheese is an excellent ingredient to experiment with in the kitchen, especially when it comes to creating delicious and comforting pasta dishes.
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Ricotta in dips
Ricotta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dips. Its mild flavour means it can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Here are some ideas for dips you can make with ricotta:
Whipped Ricotta
This simple dip can be made by placing ricotta, olive oil, and salt in a food processor (or hand mixer) and blending until fluffy. You can also add honey, thyme, lemon zest, and pepper to taste. This dip can be served with warm bread, pita chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, celery, or tomatoes.
Ricotta with Lemon and Olive Oil
Place ricotta, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt in a food processor and blend until light and smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with a drizzle of honey, olive oil, lemon zest, thyme, and flaky sea salt. Serve with grilled baguette or crostini.
Ricotta with Squash
For a more substantial dip, pair ricotta with squash and use the hollowed-out gourd as a bowl.
Ricotta with Seasonings
Place ricotta in a food processor with your choice of seasonings, such as lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Serve with crudités and crackers.
Sweet Ricotta Dip
For a sweeter option, blend ricotta with honey and vanilla and serve with graham crackers or fruit.
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Ricotta in cakes and cookies
Ricotta cheese is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it a great addition to cakes and cookies.
One popular way to use ricotta in baking is to add it to cake batter. Ricotta cheese can create a moist and creamy texture in cakes, making them extra rich and decadent. For example, a soft, vanilla-forward cake topped with a silky-smooth frosting that features a mixture of ricotta and mascarpone cheese. You can also add lemon or orange zest to the batter for a citrusy twist.
Ricotta cheese can also be used to make soft and fluffy cookies. Italian ricotta cookies are a classic example, where the ricotta is mixed into the dough to create a soft, cake-like texture. The cookies are then topped with an almond glaze and sprinkles. These cookies are easy to make and can be enjoyed as a dessert or with a cup of coffee.
Another way to use ricotta in cookies is to make cookie sandwiches. You can fill two soft and fluffy cookies with a mixture of ricotta, honey, and vanilla to create a sweet and creamy treat. You can even roll the edges of the cookie sandwiches in sprinkles or dip them in chocolate for an extra indulgent touch.
In addition to cakes and cookies, ricotta cheese can also be used in other baked goods such as pancakes, French toast, and crepes. It adds moisture and richness to the batter, resulting in fluffy and delicious breakfast options. So, whether you're making a cake, cookies, or other baked goods, don't be afraid to experiment with ricotta cheese to elevate your creations.
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Frequently asked questions
Ricotta cheese has a short shelf life, so it's best to use it up quickly. Some easy ways to use up extra ricotta include spreading it on toast or crackers, adding it to a omelet, or eating it with fruit and a drizzle of honey.
Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. If you have a lot of ricotta cheese to use up, consider making a cheesecake, cannoli, pancakes, French toast, lasagna, or stuffed shells.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, you can try making ricotta gnudi, gnocchi, or a dip. You can also add ricotta to a pasta sauce, use it as a base for a pizza, or mix it with yoghurt and jam for a sweet snack.
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