Recipes › DIYs

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

By Samira Kazan

updated August 04, 2021

3-ingredient homemade ricotta cheese. how to use ricotta cheese - 1 3-ingredient homemade ricotta cheese. how to use ricotta cheese - 2 3-ingredient homemade ricotta cheese. how to use ricotta cheese - 3 homemade ricotta cheese with olive oil, herbs, and olive loaf - 4 homemade ricotta cheese with olive oil, herbs, and olive loaf - 5 homemade ricotta cheese with milk, lemon and sat - 6 homemade ricotta cheese with milk, lemon and sat - 7

How to use your homemade Ricotta cheese

  • Ricotta works perfectly within Ravioli and other filled pasta dishes , as well as dishes like lasagne.
  • It can also be used to make delicious Gnudi , the lighter potato-free version of Gnocchi.
  • Use it as a topping for pizzas alongside your other favorite toppings.
  • Due to it’s relatively neutral, yet creamy flavor, you can use it as part of some delicious breakfast toasts served with honey/syrup and fruit. ( think peaches, plums, or citrus fruits)
  • Alternatively, use it for savory toast , as I have below, with herbs and olive oil.
  • It can be used to make various delicious dips to dip crackers or veg into, including hummus, a spinach dip, sweet dips, etc.
  • Ricotta can be used in various sweet recipes, including cheesecakes and mug cakes.
  • It’s a delicious addition to many summer salads in place of mozzarella.
  • Delicious in tarts and quiche’s , alongside some fresh seasonal veg.
  • Not to mention ricotta-based pancakes and cakes !!

How to make Ricotta Cheese

two bottles of milk, a lemon, and salt on a plain background - 8 two bottles of milk, a lemon, and salt on a plain background - 9 bringing milk to a boil in a pan - 10 bringing milk to a boil in a pan - 11 bringing milk to a boil in a pan - 12 bringing milk to a boil in a pan - 13 curds forming in milk for ricotta cheese - 14 curds forming in milk for ricotta cheese - 15 straining ricotta cheese through cheesecloth and sieve - 16 straining ricotta cheese through cheesecloth and sieve - 17 straining ricotta cheese in cheesecloth - 18 straining ricotta cheese in cheesecloth - 19 strained ricotta cheese inside a layer of cheesecloth - 20 strained ricotta cheese inside a layer of cheesecloth - 21 homemade ricotta cheese in a small container - 22 homemade ricotta cheese in a small container - 23

Can You Freeze Ricotta Cheese?

  • Use airtight containers to store the cheese; Insulated containers are even better. If you want to use a freezer bag, then make sure it is thoroughly airtight. I avoid using plastic wrap in the process, to cut down on plastic usage.
  • You can press some of the excess liquid out of the cheese before placing it in the freezer, using some kitchen towel to soak up the excess liquid.
  • It’s also best to stir it just before freezing too.

To Thaw:

  • I would suggest stirring the cheese often, while it thaws. This will help to bring the curds and whey back into a singular mixture.
  • You could also blend the cheese, once thawed, and then drain the excess liquid.

How To Use The Thawed Ricotta:

Equipment

  • Cheesecloth (Muslin cloth)

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 2 litres fresh full-fat milk unpasteurised (or pasterised)
  • ▢ 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • ▢ 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Simply mix your milk* and salt at medium heat, till just below boiling level, stirring occasionally. You can do this with a thermometer (boiling level is 212.3ºF/ 100ºC), or wait for it to JUST begin to boil and switch off the heat immediately.
  • Add the lemon juice** then leave it to rest for around 10 minutes to curdle and separate curd from the whey.
  • Lay a layer of cheesecloth over a sieve, draining into a large bowl. Pour the mixture over the cheesecloth and leave it to drain the excess liquid.
  • The longer you strain it, the drier your cheese will be. This can be anywhere between 15-60 minutes.
  • You can store ricotta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or within the freezer for two months (read the post for the correct way to freeze and thaw the cheese)

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

homemade Ricotta Cheese - 24

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Equipment

  • Cheesecloth (Muslin cloth)

Ingredients

  • 2 litres fresh full-fat milk unpasteurised (or pasterised)
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Simply mix your milk* and salt at medium heat, till just below boiling level, stirring occasionally. You can do this with a thermometer (boiling level is 212.3ºF/ 100ºC), or wait for it to JUST begin to boil and switch off the heat immediately.
  • Add the lemon juice** then leave it to rest for around 10 minutes to curdle and separate curd from the whey.
  • Lay a layer of cheesecloth over a sieve, draining into a large bowl. Pour the mixture over the cheesecloth and leave it to drain the excess liquid.
  • The longer you strain it, the drier your cheese will be. This can be anywhere between 15-60 minutes.
  • You can store ricotta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or within the freezer for two months (read the post for the correct way to freeze and thaw the cheese)

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Recipe on Alphafoodie: https://www.alphafoodie.com/3-ingredient-homemade-ricotta-cheese/