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? ›

If you're looking for something with a little more pizzazz, put leftover ricotta to good use with these recipes!
  1. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. ...
  2. Pasta with Spinach, Artichokes and Ricotta. ...
  3. Mint Ricotta Stuffed Shells. ...
  4. Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Pound Cake. ...
  5. Lemony Spaghetti with Peas and Ricotta. ...
  6. Zucchini Ricotta Frittata.
May 18, 2020

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.

Can I freeze ricotta cheese for later use? ›

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.

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.

Why does ricotta say do not freeze? ›

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 a tub of ricotta last? ›

Sealed, Unopened Ricotta Cheese: A brand new, unopened container of ricotta is good for about two weeks in the fridge. The best-by date on the package is a helpful clue, but remember, it's not an exact expiration date. Think of it more as a suggestion for peak quality.

How can you tell if ricotta cheese is still good? ›

On top of that, it's also a good idea to know what to look out for when checking if the ricotta has gone bad. To start with, look out for any sort of odor. Ricotta doesn't have much of a smell to it, so if it smells foul or off in any way, then it's time to throw it out.

Can I use ricotta past expiration date? ›

Expired Ricotta Cheese. It's generally not recommended to consume any food product that is past its expiration date, even if it's sealed.

Can I eat old ricotta? ›

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.

Can you eat ricotta raw? ›

Ricotta is a fresh cheese, so it doesn't need to be cooked. You could serve it with some fresh fruit or on top of a salad.

What is ricotta cheesecake made of? ›

Made with cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and a ground almond crust, the cake is a hybrid between an American-style cheesecake and an Italian-style cheesecake. The fruit topping is my addition; the tart sweetness of the jam and fresh raspberries is the perfect contrast to the cake, which isn't overly sweet.

What is ricotta traditionally used for? ›

Common Uses of Ricotta

Ricotta is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's commonly used in savoury dishes such as lasagne, stuffed shells, and other Italian dishes, but it can also be used in sweet recipes like cheesecake and cannoli.

What goes well with ricotta? ›

You can smear ricotta on toast and then top it with almost anything for an easy meal. Try it with corn and scallions, or pesto and tomatoes, or a fried egg. You can also eat it for dessert: top with strawberries and honey or banana and nutella. Get the recipes here.

What can you do with leftover ricotta mixture for lasagna? ›

What do I do with a leftover ricotta mixture for lasagna? You can use it to fulfill some puff pastry cannoli, or to season pasta.

Can ricotta filling be frozen? ›

You can freeze ricotta cheese without altering the flavor, although the texture will likely be affected.

Can you freeze uncooked 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.

Can you freeze ricotta cheese for baking? ›

Even so, frozen and defrosted ricotta should work fine in both sweet and savory baked recipes, like lasagna and cakes. Fresh ricotta can simply be frozen in the original packaging, which is usually a plastic tub.

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