25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (2024)

by Erin

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Wondering how to use up that container of ricotta cheese that’s in the fridge? Here are 25+ amazingly delicious ricotta cheese recipes. From pasta recipes, to sweet recipes and more!

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (1)

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🍝 Pasta Recipes

🍗 Chicken Recipes

🥬 Healthy Recipes

🧁 Sweet Recipes

🍴 Breakfast Recipes

ℹ️ Ricotta FAQs

How Long Does Ricotta Cheese Last?

Can you Freeze Ricotta Cheese?

✔️ More Ways to Use Up Ingredients

25+ Ricotta Recipes

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (2)

Wondering how to use up that container of leftover ricotta cheese that’s in the fridge?

It’s easy! Ricotta, a creamy Italian cheese, is such a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes – from savory pasta dishes to ricotta desserts!

Here are 25 of the best ricotta cheese recipes. So you no longer have to ask the question – “What can I use ricotta cheese for?”

🍝 Pasta Recipes

This Fennel Pasta recipe features fresh linguini tossed in a light lemon sauce with roasted fennel. It’s topped with dollop of ricotta cheese for extra richness.

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This One Pot Lasagna Soup tastes just like lasagna without all the work. This beef & noodle tomato soup is served topped with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture that melts deliciously into it.

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25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (5)

This lemon ricotta pasta with spinach is a light, fresh weeknight meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes! The perfect summer pasta!

Get the RECIPE from Barley and Sage

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (6)

Homemade ricotta dumplings are astonishingly easy to make. This recipe takes no time to assemble and will produce pillowy, delicious gnocchi!

Get the RECIPE from Alexandra’s Kitchen

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (7)

The most delicious Ricotta Pasta Recipe made 2 ways, with fresh and zingy lemon zest or lots of parmesan and cracked black pepper.

Get the RECIPE from Inside the Rustic Kitchen

This 3-cheese stuffed manicotti recipe is made extra easy by using no boil lasagna noodles instead of pasta tubes. That means no need for a piping bag to fill them, and they come together so quickly. They’ll be ready to bake in just 10 minutes!

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Learn how to make sweet potato gnocchi with this easy recipe. You only need 5-ingredients to make them! Dressed up with a browned butter sage sauce that’s packed with flavor.

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This 20-Minute Cheesy Tortellini Lasagna with Sausage & Kale makes it easy to have a delicious and nutritious Italian dinner on the table in a hurry, even on a weeknight. Plus, it cooks in one skillet!

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🍗 Chicken Recipes

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (11)

Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breasts is an easy dinner recipe that is low carb and delicious. Prep in 15 minutes before cooking!

Get the RECIPE from Spoonful of Flavor

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (12)

Delicious recipe of roast chicken breast stuffed with Ricotta and Mushrooms. Discover our step-by-step instructions!

Get the RECIPE from Ottima Cheese

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (13)

These chicken ricotta meatballs are absolutely delicious chicken meatballs in a savory, creamy spinach Alfredo sauce with crispy bacon.

Get the RECIPE from Chefjar

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (14)

Italian marinated chicken breasts get quickly browned, topped with a luscious combination of cheeses, and baked until tender perfection in a tomato sauce.

Get the RECIPE from Heather Likes Food

🥬 Healthy Recipes

These Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna Rolls are low-carb and gluten-free yet still sinfully delicious with loads of melty cheese and plenty of fresh herbs. Made easy using store-bought tomato sauce.

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25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (16)

Mediterranean Baked Ricotta Muffins. High protein meets high flavour in these delicious ricotta muffins, perfect as a filling snack or post-gym meal.

Get the RECIPE from Hurry the Food Up

Spaghetti Squash Casserole made with tomatoes, Italian spices, creamy ricotta cheese and parmesan is a delicious and hearty vegetarian-friendly dinner option or delicious side dish.

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🧁 Sweet Recipes

Here’s 30+ ricotta desserts to check out!

Coffee Mousse is a decadent, airy dessert flavored with coffee & cocoa. Made with whipped cream & ricotta cheese to make it creamy without gelatin.

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25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (19)

A moist and super soft lemon ricotta cake perfect for this time of the year! It has brown butter inside, which makes it super delicious! A real treat!

Get the RECIPE from Healthy Little Cravings

This Strawberry Ricotta Cake is the most delicious Italian-inspired dessert. The rich ricotta provides the cake with perfect moisture and density and the strawberries make the flavor pop. It’s almost like a combination between a cake and a cheesecake.

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25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (21)

This Lemon Ricotta Cookie recipe is so delicious, fluffy, soft and moist. Made with a cake-like consistency and perfect for any occasion!

Get the RECIPE from Kathryns Kitchen Blog

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (22)

This easy chocolate chip cannoli dip is made with ricotta, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla, then served with broken waffle cones for dipping.

Get the RECIPE from Homemade Hooplah

Ricotta Mousse can be made in just 10-minutes with 4 simple ingredients. This no-bake, make-ahead raspberry mousse is a creamy, decadent and delicious.

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This Blackberry Ricotta Cake is the most delicious Italian-inspired dessert. The rich ricotta provides the cake with perfect moisture and density and the blackberries make the flavor pop. It’s like the best combination of cake and cheesecake.

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🍴 Breakfast Recipes

This Sweet Ricotta Toast with Blackberries & Honey is finished with fresh berries & coconut flakes. It’s a deliciously sweet & creamy breakfast or quick snack.

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25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (26)

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes made with fresh lemon, lemon zest, and ricotta cheese – these lemony soft and fluffy pancakes make the perfect weekend breakfast and are likely to become a new favorite!

Get the RECIPE from Gimme Delicious

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (27)

Ricotta Scrambled Eggs is a delicious way to enjoy fluffy eggs in a new way. With a delicious taste profile, let’s make this easy low carb keto egg recipe.

Get the RECIPE from Keto Dirty

ℹ️ Ricotta FAQs

How Long Does Ricotta Cheese Last?

Once opened, that tub of ricotta cheese should be consumed within3 to 5 days.

Can you Freeze Ricotta Cheese?

You can freeze ricotta cheese, however, the texture will change once frozen. Frozen ricotta is best in recipes where it is baked, like in this Cheese Manicotti or Ricotta Cake.

✔️ More Ways to Use Up Ingredients

  • 30+ Ricotta Desserts
  • Recipes that Use a Lot of Eggs
  • Cream Cheese Recipes
  • Cottage Cheese Recipes
  • Evaporated Milk Recipes
  • Condensed Milk Recipes
  • Recipes that Use Buttermilk
  • Mozzarella Recipes
  • Recipes that Use Sour Cream
  • Recipes that Use Heavy Cream

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (28)

25+ Ricotta Recipes

There are so many delicious recipes with ricotta cheese! One of my favorites is this Fennel Pasta recipe. It features fresh linguini tossed in a light lemon sauce with roasted fennel. Topped with dollop of ricotta cheese for extra richness.

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 servings

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F.

  • Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high.

  • Pick off and mince a few of the fennel fronds. Cut off and discard the fennel stems. Halve and core the fennel bulb; slice into ½-inch-thick strips. Place the sliced fennel on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; toss thoroughly to coat. Arrange in a single layer and roast, 18-20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and golden.

  • While the fennel roasts, combine the ricotta cheese and the juice of 2 lemon wedges; season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, shallot and half the parsley. Cook until fragrant and softened. Add the breadcrumbs and toast over medium heat, until browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out the pan.

  • In the now clean skillet, combine lemon zest, juice of remaining two lemon wedges, ½ cup water, and 2 tablespoons olive oil; heat to boiling on high heat and stir to combine. Remove from heat.

  • Boil the pasta until just short of al dente. Reserving ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, drain the pasta and add it to the skillet of sauce. Add the roasted fennel, minced fennel fronds and reserved cooking water. Cook on medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.

  • Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste, top with breadcrumb mixture, a dollop of the ricotta mixture, and remaining chopped parsley.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 865kcal | Carbohydrates: 134g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 322mg | Potassium: 1012mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 4mg

25+ Recipes to Use up that Tub of Ricotta (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with too much ricotta? ›

Like melty mushroom lasagna, citrusy ricotta pound cake, and creamy slow cooker polenta. When you think of ricotta cheese recipes, you might think of stuffed shells, cheesy casseroles and calzones, luscious cheesecakes, and ricotta pancakes. We do too.

Can you freeze a tub of ricotta cheese? ›

Stored properly, fresh ricotta will last in the freezer for one to three months. Once you thaw your cheese, it is not recommended to refreeze it. Since freezing it just once already causes the cheese to degrade somewhat, you can imagine what constant thawing and refreezing would do.

What can I do with leftover ricotta water? ›

The liquid whey left over from making ricotta is really healthy. Cover and refrigerate it to use in breads, soups, and smoothies instead of milk or water. You can also use it instead of water when cooking pasta or rice. Or, if you're really adventurous, try drinking it plain (you'll make your great-grandma proud).

How long does ricotta last in the fridge? ›

One key detail to keep in mind is whether the package of ricotta cheese has been opened or not. Unopened ricotta will last about two weeks in the fridge, while opened ricotta will last just a week. As for the freezer, you can store ricotta for up to three months.

What does adding egg to ricotta do? ›

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.

Can you freeze fresh ricotta? ›

You can freeze ricotta cheese, but it's not always advisable. Why? Frozen ricotta cheese has a grainier texture once it's defrosted, though its flavor is preserved. This is because the water separates from the cheese curds and forms ice crystals when frozen.

Why does ricotta say "do not freeze"? ›

The texture and quality of the cheese will deteriorate each time you freeze it, until it turns into a grainy, broken, separated mess. Repeated thawing also puts it at risk for microbial growth that can cause foodborne illness.

Does freezing ricotta change the texture? ›

Because ricotta has a high moisture content, the water in it will become ice once it's frozen, causing the texture to change. As the curds and whey are divided by the ice, the cheese will become more dry and crumbly in texture.

How long does an open container of ricotta cheese last in the refrigerator? ›

Air exposure is the enemy of fresh ricotta, so keeping it sealed becomes even more important after opening. Opened ricotta generally lasts for about one week in proper storage conditions. To be on the safe side, give it the sniff test. If there is any off odor, toss it.

What can I do with expired ricotta cheese? ›

Use it promptly because it only stays fresh for a week or two. If the cheese doesn't look or smell like it did when you first opened it, your best course of action is to throw it out.

Can you freeze ricotta cheese with egg in it? ›

Can you freeze ricotta cheese mixture? Yes! Say you've made a pasta filling with ricotta cheese and other ingredients like Parmesan cheese, eggs and herbs, it is perfectly fine to freeze it. On thawing, excess liquid may need to be drained away but otherwise it will be good.

Can you scoop mold off ricotta cheese? ›

Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. Soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, cream cheese and ricotta, with mold should be discarded.

How to tell if ricotta has gone bad? ›

The sign your ricotta is bad

If the ricotta has gone yellowish or brown, or if there's a layer of water sitting atop the cheese, that's also an indicator that your ricotta has spoiled (so don't just shrug and mix the water back into the cheese!).

What do you eat ricotta with? ›

Enjoy with crackers, a drizzle of honey, dried fruits or vegetable sticks. As a spread: Toast slices of banana bread or fruit toast, spread with ricotta and drizzle with honey for a snack or brekky. Finger food pasties: Ricotta and spinach are a match made in heaven.

Is ricotta cheese healthy? ›

Compared to most cheeses, ricotta is a healthier choice because it contains less salt and fat - 10 per cent fat, of which 6 per cent is saturated. It's light and creamy with a slightly grainy texture and delicate flavour that can be used on its own or in sweet and savoury dishes.

What happens if you eat too much ricotta? ›

As with most cheeses, ricotta is high in fat. The majority of the fat in whole milk ricotta cheese is saturated. According to a study published in 2018 by PLoS One, eating a diet high in saturated fat increases risk of cardiovascular disease by raising blood cholesterol levels.

How do you preserve ricotta cheese? ›

Ricotta Cheese Storage Practices

Avoid letting it sit at room temperature to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. Bonus tip: Ditch the original packaging and use airtight containers or plastic wrap.

Can you melt ricotta cheese? ›

In other words, the cheese doesn't melt. So ricotta falls in the same category as paneer, halloumi, queso blanco and other cheeses that can be heated without melting. This is why ricotta is such a fine choice for lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli and cheesecake. It heats wonderfully, but doesn't reduce to a pool of goo.

Can you whip frozen ricotta? ›

When that ice defrosts, the consistency of ricotta becomes more watery and less creamy. Fat separation is why it's essential to whip or stir defrosted ricotta to bring back a creamy consistency, although it's sometimes impossible to avoid the grainy texture.

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