Ricotta Recipes

Fresh ricotta may be an uncomplicated cheese, but it's far from plain. Serve a fluffy mound of it with bread instead of butter, add it to a bowl of pasta, pair it with fruit, and incorporate it into desserts. You can even learn to make your own fresh ricotta with our step-by-step instructions.

Spread fresh, creamy ricotta on a thick slice of whole-wheat toast and top with heirloom tomato, fresh basil leaves, and a small drizzle of olive oil for an easy, satisfying summer breakfast, afternoon snack, or appetizer.

Caramelizing apricots under the broiler makes their flavor and aroma deep and complex -- a perfect foil for mild, creamy ricotta and crunchy nuts.

A generous dollop of creamy ricotta cheese on top of each serving makes this panzanella salad substantial enough to enjoy as a vegetarian main course.

Fresh sugar snap peas and frozen peas give sweetness and crunch to this pasta dish. Part-skim ricotta cheese makes an easy, creamy sauce.

A mixture of ricotta, Parmesan, and lemon zest is a fresh alternative to the usual dollop of sour cream for your baked potatoes.

A tangy sun-dried-tomato vinaigrette clings to spiral-shaped gemelli in this summery salad. Olives and capers add a mellow kick; and rich, creamy ricotta tempers the piquant flavors.

Vanilla and citrus perfume the lightly sweetened ricotta filling for these honey-glazed treats. Serve them for breakfast or dessert.

Lightly char rounds of homemade pizza dough, and then top with creamy ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and grilled asparagus. Simmer garlic and rosemary in extra-virgin olive oil to make the fragrant infused oil for brushing the dough.

This Neapolitan cake is soft as a down pillow, creamy like custard, and lightly flavored with vanilla and cinnamon.

A custardy, basil-flecked ricotta filling sits atop a crisp breadcrumb crust in this savory summer tart.

This chocolate mousse is a slimmed-down version of the original that tastes just as indulgent. Skim ricotta cheese is pureed with cocoa powder to form the base, which is then lightened with beaten egg whites.

Make this light, fresh interpretation of lasagna without ever turning on the oven. Layer halved, boiled lasagna noodles with garlicky sauteed tomatoes, zucchini, basil, and a mixture of ricotta and Parmesan cheeses.

A tasty dip of ricotta with fresh herbs is an exciting alternative to the usual ranch dip with your vegetable platter.

Genoa salami adds a bold and salty counterpoint to mild, creamy ricotta in this easy appetizer.

Store-bought wonton wrappers are the secret to these quick homemade pasta packets stuffed with a satisfying mixture of kale, ricotta, and Parmesan.

A deliciously charred crust topped with equal parts ricotta and Parmesan forms the creamy, tangy foundation for an abundance of colorful tomatoes.

Almost one pound of semisweet chocolate enriches this no-bake cake’s ricotta-and-cream filling.

Mound juicy, lime-kissed mango cubes over creamy ricotta for a refreshing, super-easy breakfast or dessert.

Lemon zest and Parmesan give a flavor boost to the ricotta-spinach filling of this stuffed pasta. A splash of cream enriches the marinara sauce.