How to make Ricotta Cheese at home with only 4 easy ingredients?

This simple 4-ingredient recipe makes homemade ricotta cheese that even you can make!

Lasagne comes to mind immediately when you think of ricotta cheese, right? While that might be the case, ricotta can also be used in several other delicious dishes or even just eaten plain on toast or crostini with vegetables or honey!

Ricotta is fantastic inside of crepes, added to cheesecake, and pancakes, and even spooned on top of tomato pasta. There’s no need to purchase ricotta from the shop with only a few straightforward ingredients and a few simple steps!

Ricotta Cheese: What Is It?

The mild, creamy flavor of ricotta, a white, soft curd cheese, easily combines with strong flavors like tomato marinara and basil pesto.

As a spread for bread and crackers, it works nicely with stronger herbs and seasonings like roasted garlic. It’s a fairly adaptable cheese, and if you make your own, you’ll always have some on hand.

Cottage cheese versus ricotta

Although they resemble one another and can be used interchangeably in most recipes, cottage cheese is only produced with cow’s milk and is available in large or little curds.

Ricotta has a richer flavor and a tendency to be a little bit sweeter than cottage cheese, which is more affordable and accessible.

Ingredients and Variations

The primary ingredient in ricotta cheese is milk, though not always cow milk. Additionally, goat, sheep, or even buffalo milk can be used to make it. In this recipe, ordinary cow’s milk is used.

Ricotta’s creamy flavor comes from heavy cream and a pinch of salt, but the vinegar is what forms the curds that, as they rest, burst with flavor.

Ricotta won’t curdle if there isn’t an acid present but works well in its place if vinegar isn’t an option.

How to Make Ricotta Cheese at Home

Making your ricotta is enjoyable and simple as 1-2-3!

1. In a big pot, mix milk, cream, and salt.
2. Stir continuously as the mixture boils. Add vinegar and turn off the heat in the pot.
3. Give the mixture 30 minutes to rest. Line a strainer or colander with two layers of cheesecloth. Place the ricotta curds in the strainer and drain to the directions on the recipe.

When you’re ready to use it, stir it up and put it in the refrigerator in a container that is well covered. That wasn’t all that difficult, was it?

Leftovers

• In the refrigerator, ricotta will keep for approximately 5 days before needing to be drained, stirred, and lightly salted before use.
• It can be frozen, but once it thaws, the frozen cell structures will disintegrate, making the product watery and may be less effective in recipes. In this situation, drain the ricotta and use it to make dips or spreads.

What Recipes Use Ricotta Cheese?

Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient that may be used in a variety of dishes, including homemade ravioli.

1. Perfect for weeknights are manicotti.
2. Calzones or Stromboli – delicious and savory
3. Baked Ziti – so simple to prepare
4. A popular dish among the public is cheese cannelloni.

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

For making homemade pasta meals, this ricotta cheese tastes far better than store-bought varieties.

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar or lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a big pot, mix milk, cream, and salt.
2. Just until the mixture reaches a boil, cook the mixture over medium-low while stirring.
3. Add vinegar after turning off the heat. To mix, stir just a few times.
4. 30 minutes should pass while the combination is left undisturbed.
5. Use two layers of moist cheesecloth to line a strainer. Ricotta curds should be carefully spooned into the strainer.
6. Give it 30 to 45 minutes to drain.

Nutrition information

Calories: 254 | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 344mg | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 833IU | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 1mg