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

Can you freeze a tub of ricotta cheese? ›

If you have an unopened container of ricotta, you can stick the whole thing right in the freezer, but if the package has been opened, you have to transfer the cheese to a new container. Use a clean, airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and bacterial contamination.

How long does ricotta last in 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 can I do with leftover ricotta liquid? ›

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 do Italians use ricotta? ›

Ricotta di pecora or ricotta mista is used in a great variety of sauces and pasta recipes, especially those with vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, zucchini and spinach. It's also ideal for pasta al forno (baked pasta)—as prepared in the central southern regions of Italy—and in torte (pies).

Why not freeze ricotta? ›

When it comes to storing ricotta, you can use the freezer, but it's important to know that it will compromise the quality of your cheese. While its flavor may endure the freezing process, the texture of ricotta suffers once it has been frozen and thawed, transforming from smooth and creamy to gritty and clumpy.

Is ricotta cheese good after freezing? ›

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.

How can I tell if ricotta cheese has gone bad? ›

How can you tell if it has gone bad? As with most things, open it, look at it, smell it. Ricotta will usually develop blue mold as its first sign of spoilage, and on occasion I've seen mold on ricotta “fresh” from the store.

Is it OK to use expired ricotta cheese? ›

Some sources suggest that ricotta may last up to two weeks, but past that one-week mark you should look for signs of spoilage (more on that in a moment). And if it's been sitting for more than two weeks, throw it away.

Is ricotta OK after expiration date? ›

Unopened, they typically last for a few weeks to a couple of months past their 'best by' date when refrigerated. Fresh cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta and cottage cheese are highly perishable and usually last only a few weeks past their 'best by' date when stored in the refrigerator.

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.

What is the liquid in ricotta cheese? ›

So, ricotta actually translates to recooked in Italian, and ricotta is what's called a "whey cheese." When you make cheese, you separate milk into two distinct things. You have the solids, called curds, which will be separated out and pressed to form cheese. And you have the liquid that is left behind, called whey.

What happens to ricotta when cooked? ›

Fresh ricotta is fluffy, creamy, spreadable. It can be spooned into a dish and baked in the oven to become baked ricotta. The top browns and is slightly crusty and toasted and the middle is warm and creamy. Fresh ricotta can also be baked into dishes or used as an ingredient in baked goods.

What do Italians use instead of ricotta in lasagna? ›

I like using béchamel sauce instead of ricotta because it holds the mouthwatering lasagna layers together and gives the dish an overall creamy texture. Using béchamel is also the authentic Italian way to make lasagna.

Can you freeze ricotta? ›

Freeze unopened, well sealed ricotta cheese in its packaging. However if you don't plan to use the whole lot when thawed, divide into pieces before freezing. Be sure to drain excess liquid and wrap very well in plastic then into a heavy duty zip lock bag or airtight container.

Do Italians put ricotta in lasagna? ›

While ricotta is included in certain varieties of lasagna in Italy, the style that serves as the primary inspiration for American recipes is the one from the region of Emilia Romagna. There, it's traditionally layered with pasta, bolognese, and béchamel—with no ricotta to be found.

How long does ricotta cheese last in the freezer? ›

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. When it comes time to thaw it, put it in the fridge overnight or until it reaches the right consistency.

Can you freeze lasagna that has ricotta cheese in it? ›

When it comes to the creamy and cheesy layer, ricotta, cottage cheese, and béchamel fillings can all be frozen, although béchamel varieties tend to weather the freezing process a bit better. Both meat and vegetable lasagnas can be frozen, but be sure to fully cook any meat before assembling and freezing.

How do you defrost ricotta quickly? ›

Yes you can thaw ricotta cheese in the microwave, it is easier to thaw the harder cheeses such as cheddar or provolone. Softer cheeses like ricotta and brie are soft cheeses which when thawing begin to sweat and melt when defrosted. When thawing cheese iy is preferred to thaw it in the fridge over 3 days.

How do you store opened ricotta cheese? ›

Soft or fresh cheeses (e.g. ricotta or gorgonzola) are high in moisture and can safely be stored for about two weeks after opening. These cheeses are best stored in clean, airtight containers.

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