Patrick Oconnell
Ricotta cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, and finding the right one can be a challenge. The best ricotta cheese is often described as creamy, fresh-tasting, and dense. It should be loose but not too runny, and ideally made with whole milk, an acid coagulant, salt, and nothing else. Many brands use gums and stabilizers to prevent moisture from leaking out, but this can make the cheese unsuitable for baking and cause it to turn grainy. Some popular brands of ricotta cheese include Polly-O, Galbani, Organic Valley, and Whole Foods. Some people also recommend making your own ricotta cheese at home, which can be a simple process using whole milk and white vinegar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best ricotta cheese | Creamy (not grainy), fresh-tasting |
| Best brand | Walmart ricotta (best part skim ricotta), Organic Valley (made from pasture-raised cow milk), Polly-O (classic brand), Calabro |
| Worst brands | Whole Foods (gummy, squeaky, chalky), Polly-O (bland), Galbani (too dense) |
| Best for sweet applications | Galbani whole milk ricotta (slightly sweet) |
| Best for ricotta gnocchi | Calabro (remove moisture with towels or cheesecloth) |
| Best packaging | Over-stuffed metal cans covered in plastic and sealed with a rubber band (creamy, fresh flavour) |
| Average price | Private label: $4.06, Branded products: $7.65 |
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What You'll Learn
Ricotta cheese for lasagna
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that combines pasta, tomato sauce, and a trio of cheeses: ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The addition of ricotta cheese gives the lasagna a creamy and decadent element that contrasts with the sauce and pasta.
When choosing ricotta cheese for lasagna, it is generally recommended to use whole milk ricotta, as it has a richer and creamier texture than skim or low-fat varieties. Look for a soft, milky, and flavorful ricotta with a velvety, mouth-coating texture. Some recommended brands include Organic Valley, which uses milk from pasture-raised cows, giving it a grassy and fresh flavor. Walmart's Great Value ricotta is also a good option for those looking for a more affordable choice without compromising on flavor and creaminess.
To elevate your lasagna even further, you can create a ricotta cheese mixture by combining ricotta cheese with eggs, parsley, black pepper, and garlic powder. This mixture helps to bind the cheese, preventing it from oozing out when you cut into your lasagna. Additionally, you can add mozzarella and Romano or Parmesan cheese to the mixture for an even cheesier and more savory dish.
When assembling your lasagna, start by spreading a layer of tomato sauce or meat sauce in a baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by the ricotta cheese mixture, and then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of sauce and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly golden and the edges are crisp.
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Ricotta cheese for desserts
Ricotta cheese is a key ingredient in many desserts, including cannoli, cheesecake, and baked manicotti. When choosing the best ricotta cheese for desserts, you should consider both flavour and texture.
In terms of flavour, most people prefer ricotta that is mildly sweet, rather than tangy. Some ricotta cheeses can have an off-flavour, tasting sour or funky, which is best avoided. A good ricotta cheese should have a fresh, clean, and creamy flavour.
As for texture, a good ricotta cheese for desserts should be creamy and dense, with a smooth consistency. Many people dislike ricotta with large, visible curds, finding the granular texture unappealing. A ricotta that is too watery or grainy is also unsuitable for baking.
Some recommended brands of ricotta cheese for desserts include Polly-O, which has a mildly sweet flavour and a smooth texture, although it does contain gums, which can make it unsuitable for baking. Whole Foods' ricotta cheese also contains gums and has a mild flavour that some may find bland. Walmart's ricotta cheese is flavourful, creamy, and less dense, making it a good option for those looking for a lower-fat alternative. Galbani's ricotta cheese is dense and slightly sweet, although its density may make it less suitable for certain dessert applications. For a more organic option, Organic Valley's ricotta cheese has a grassy, fresh, and creamy flavour, although some may find its chunky texture off-putting.
When choosing a ricotta cheese for desserts, it is important to consider the specific application. For example, a dense and rich ricotta may be better suited for cheesecake or cannoli, while a lighter and creamier ricotta may be preferred for stuffed pastas or manicotti.
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Ricotta cheese for gnocchi
Making gnocchi with ricotta cheese is a quick and easy alternative to the traditional potato recipe. It is also lighter and fluffier in texture. Ricotta gnocchi are small Italian dumplings that use just four ingredients: ricotta cheese, flour, egg, and salt.
When choosing ricotta cheese for gnocchi, it is important to select a high-quality product. Low-quality mass-market brands tend to contain gums and stabilizers, which can negatively affect the texture of the gnocchi. Instead, opt for a brand that lists only a few simple ingredients, such as milk, salt, and perhaps an acid or natural culture.
It is also important to choose a ricotta cheese with the right consistency. Avoid soft and creamy spreadable types, as they can make the dough too sticky. Instead, look for a regular ricotta that is slightly lumpy. If your ricotta is too soft, you can try draining it by placing it in a paper towel -lined colander for an hour or even overnight. However, keep in mind that very high-fat ricotta may stick to the paper towels, so you might need to use a rubber spatula to remove it.
Some recommended brands of ricotta cheese for gnocchi include Calabro and Paesanella, which is widely available in NSW. If you're in Victoria, look for That's Amore. For a stronger flavour, you can also try goat's milk ricotta.
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Ricotta cheese for stuffed shells
Ricotta cheese stuffed shells are a popular dish, and for good reason. They are hearty, elegant, easy to make, and customisable. They are also a great make-ahead meal, as they can be frozen before baking and kept in the freezer until needed.
To make ricotta cheese stuffed shells, you will need jumbo pasta shells, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, an egg, Parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Start by boiling your pasta shells. While the shells cook, prepare the filling by mixing together ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. You can also add other ingredients to the filling, such as garlic, spinach, nutmeg, or ground beef. Once the filling is prepared, use a spoon or piping bag to fill each cooked shell.
Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish and arrange the stuffed shells on top. Spoon more marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake the pasta covered for 20 minutes, then remove the cover and bake until browned and bubbly. Finally, add a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.
When choosing a brand of ricotta cheese for stuffed shells, look for whole milk ricotta for the best flavour and texture. Skip the pre-shredded bags of cheese and grate your own cheese instead, as pre-grated cheeses tend to be coated with anti-caking agents and preservatives and do not melt as smoothly. For the marinara sauce, Rao's is a popular and well-liked option.
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Ricotta cheese for manicotti
When it comes to choosing the best ricotta cheese for manicotti, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the type of milk used can affect the flavour and texture of the cheese. Whole milk ricotta tends to be fattier and denser, while part-skim ricotta is a good option if you're looking for something a little lighter. Some popular brands of whole milk ricotta include Galbani, which is known for its dense and slightly sweet flavour, and Organic Valley, which has a grassy, fresh, and creamy flavour. For part-skim ricotta, Walmart's Great Value brand offers a creamy and flavourful option that's also budget-friendly.
Another consideration is the moisture content of the ricotta cheese. Manicotti is a baked pasta dish where the cheese is stuffed into large tubes, so using a ricotta cheese that retains its moisture without becoming watery is key. Lower-grade commercial ricottas often contain stabilizers like xanthan or guar gum to prevent excess moisture, but this can result in a grainy and bland texture. Higher-end ricottas tend to have a fresher flavour but may release more water during baking. To avoid this, you can drain the ricotta in a cheesecloth before using it, or opt for a brand like Calabro, which is known for its good moisture balance.
When making manicotti, you'll typically combine the ricotta cheese with other ingredients such as eggs, Italian seasoning, spinach, and other cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan. This mixture is then stuffed into manicotti shells, topped with marinara sauce, and baked until bubbly and melted. The type of ricotta cheese you choose can impact the overall flavour and texture of the dish, so selecting a brand that suits your taste preferences is important.
Some popular recipes for manicotti include the classic three-cheese combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, baked in a tasty marinara sauce. Spinach and ricotta manicotti is another favourite, where the spinach is blanched and dried before being mixed with the cheeses to absorb excess moisture. No matter the recipe you choose, selecting a ricotta cheese that suits your taste and the specific needs of the dish will ensure your manicotti turns out perfectly.
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Frequently asked questions
The best ricotta cheese for lasagna should be creamy, fresh-tasting, and not grainy. Mauro & Gianni Whole Milk Ricotta, Miceli's Whole Milk Ricotta, and Great Value Whole Milk Ricotta are some of the recommended brands.
Walmart Ricotta is the most recommended brand for sweet dishes like lemon ricotta cake or ricotta cheesecake. It has a very fresh, milky flavor without any sweetness.
Ricotta cheese with gums and stabilizers should be avoided when baking as they tend to make the dish grainy and watery. Calabro ricotta is a recommended brand for baking ricotta gnocchi.
Polly-O, Organic Valley, Galbani, Sorrento, and Whole Foods are some popular brands of ricotta cheese.
