13 Recipes With Ricotta (Because It's Delicious in More Than Just Lasagna) This creamy Italian cheese is oh-so versatile. It's perfect for sweet and savory recipes, appetizers, mains, and desserts. Close Credit: Jacob Fox Is there another product in the dairy case that matches fresh ricotta in versatility? As this collection of recipes with ricotta shows, the cheese lends its fluffy yet creamy texture to all kinds of sweet and savory dishes. Ricotta can be added to pancakes and fruit bowls for breakfast, dips and crostini for appetizers, and countless pastas and bakes for dinner. Not to mention the long list of scrumptious desserts that include ricotta, from cherry tart to Italian-style cheesecake. Some of these recipes require just a few creamy dollops; others fully showcase the ingredient. Using Ricotta Ricotta is easy to use and a food-friendly dairy item. It’s got a neutrality that allows it to go salty or sweet, and the creamy texture can bind ingredients together, hold a rich filling, or spread as a light topping. Fresher is better when it comes to ricotta. Especially when you’re spreading it on toast, using it in a dip, or spooning it into a dessert. That is when you want to taste its pure, milky flavor. Source it as locally as possible to truly appreciate the sweetness of farm-fresh ricotta; it gets slightly bitter as it ages. A tub of full-fat ricotta may require draining to get rid of excess water, so whenever a recipe calls for draining, don’t hesitate to do so. The excess moisture could impact the outcome of a recipe. Unlike many other dairy products, ricotta will not separate when heated. Types of Ricotta Most ricotta in U.S. supermarkets is made from cow’s milk. Sometimes, a recipe calls for sheep's milk ricotta (popular in southern Italy) or even buffalo ricotta. You can use cow's milk ricotta if you can't find these less-common types. Swapping Full-Fat and Low-Fat Ricotta: Be aware that if a recipe calls for whole milk (full-fat) ricotta, and you use part-skim (low-fat) ricotta, it may not provide the desired texture; whole milk ricotta is creamier. On the other hand, if a recipe calls for part-skim, then you can substitute with whole-milk ricotta if you like. 27 Cheesecake Recipes for Every Skill Level 01 of 13 Pear, Walnut, and Ricotta Crostini Juicy and aromatic pears and rich, buttery walnuts go beautifully with ricotta's gentle sweetness—but this toast is not dessert; it could be served as a appetizer with drinks or for breakfast. View Recipe 02 of 13 Ricotta-Cornmeal Pancakes Credit: Armando Rafael Mornings feel special when you start with pancakes—especially these fluffy ones. Ricotta adds lightness, cornmeal adds a bit of texture, and the fragrance of fresh orange zest will brighten your day. View Recipe 03 of 13 Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi With Sage Butter Credit: David M. Russell These delicate Italian dumplings are like ravioli without the pasta wrapper. They're made with just spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, and egg. Served tossed in sage butter, they are simply irresistible. View Recipe 04 of 13 Italian Ricotta Cheesecake Credit: Jacob Fox Italian-style cheesecake uses ricotta, not cream cheese, making for a lighter yet rich and delicious dessert. It rises in the oven and then falls as it cools, leaving a rim around the edge and a golden surface. View Recipe 05 of 13 Blueberry-Ricotta Tart This light yet luscious dessert features an almond-buttermilk crust and a filling made with ricotta, cinnamon, and honey. Fresh blueberries are also sweetened with honey and set on top. View Recipe 06 of 13 Fruit Platter With Whipped Ricotta Credit: Ryan Liebe When blended in a food processor, ricotta becomes smooth and creamy yet retains its density. Stir in a swirl of maple syrup and a hint of vanilla, and it makes a lovely accompaniment to a festive fruit platter. This one includes poached peaches as well as freshly cut fruit. View Recipe 07 of 13 Ricotta Breakfast Bowls Credit: Paola + Murray Change up your usual breakfast routine with this simple yet yummy variation. Ricotta goes in a bowl, is topped with fresh berries and lemon curd, and sprinkled with granola. You'll be hooked! View Recipe 08 of 13 Potato-Ricotta Gnocchi Credit: Chris Simpson Gnocchi is fun and easy to make at home, but there are some tricks to keep in mind. Adding some ricotta to the dough elevates them to super fluffy status—and don't forget to use the right kind of floury potatoes and roll them by hand with a light touch. Then, serve them with our Creamy Tomato Sauce. View Recipe 09 of 13 Spaghetti With Spinach, Peas, and Herbed Ricotta Credit: Ryan Liebe On the other end of the pasta spectrum, this quick toss of spaghetti is bright with frozen peas and spinach, which wilts within moments into a creamy dish. View Recipe 10 of 13 Eggplant Ricotta Bake This bake is for eggplant lovers. It also helps if you love ricotta and Parmesan, which are mixed with egg and layered between slices of roasted eggplant in a cozy casserole-like main. View Recipe 11 of 13 Swiss-Chard-and-Ricotta Galette Credit: Mike Krautter This free-form tart is filled with an Italian-inspired mix of sautéed Swiss chard, onions, and golden raisins with a dash of balsamic (anchovies are optional). Ricotta enhanced with a little Parmesan brings a creamy richness. Serve it for lunch, as an appetizer, or a vegetarian entree. View Recipe 12 of 13 One-Pot Penne With Spinach, Ricotta, and Pine Nuts Credit: Con Poulos The clever trick to making this dinner in just one pot: you add the spinach to the boiling pasta during last 2 minutes of cooking. All that's left to do is add some olive oil, creamy ricotta, grated Parmesan, and a smattering of toasted pine nuts. View Recipe 13 of 13 Chocolate Ricotta Pudding It doesn't get much easier than melting chocolate and mixing it in to ricotta. It'll definitely fit the bill when you're craving something rich and creamy and are short on time. View Recipe Explore more: Food & Cooking Recipes Ingredients