21 Unexpected Dessert Recipes with Ricotta (2024)

The dessert recipes with ricotta on this page answer the question, “what to do with this leftover tub of ricotta?” Because chances are you only bought it for a special recipe like lasagna.

But there are so many things you can do with it!

For example, there’s the classic Italian cannoli by 40-year chef Dennis. Then there are lemon cupcakes with sweet ricotta cream, ricotta pancakes, and so many more! So are you ready to discover the tasty?

Let’s dive in!

Italian Cannoli

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With each bite of thisItalian cannolifromAsk Chef Dennis, you’ll be transported to the charming streets of Sicily, savoring the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. The pastry shells are crispy, and inside, surprise! You’ll find a luscious filling of velvety ricotta generously studded with mini chocolate chips.

Strawberry Ricotta Crostata

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This delightfulstrawberry ricotta crostataagain byAsk Chef Dennisis like a burst of summer in every bite. Picture a golden crust enveloping a dreamy ricotta filling crowned with vibrant, juicy strawberries. The delicate balance of sweetness and tanginess will leave you yearning for lazy afternoons and warm sunshine.

Ricotta Pound Cake Cupcakes with Whipped Ricotta Frosting

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Were you looking for elegance in a single serving? Well, look no further than these decadentricotta pound cake cupcakesby theDessert For TwoBlog. Moist and tender, they’re adorned with a cloud-like whipped ricotta frosting that adds a touch of elegance. You’ll delight in the harmonious blend of flavors as the velvety cake melts in your mouth.

Italian Lemon Cupcakes with Sweet Ricotta Cream

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Bakehouse treats are delicious but sometimes a bit overly sweet. With that in mind, Melissa created this award-winningItalian lemon cupcake with sweet ricotta cream. So, certainly, it’s sweet but not cloyingly so. Instead, it’s bursting with fresh, zesty notes and complemented by a subtly sweet ricotta cream filling. These cupcakes are a delightful ode to the Mediterranean. Each bite will transport you to the sun-kissed lemon groves of Amalfi.

Prune and Fig Cjarsons di Pontebba

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Fruity and sweetness aren’t what you think of with ravioli. So certainly, these Prune and Fig Cjarsons di Pontebba come as a surprise. Oh, the possibilities! Delicate pasta pockets cradle a medley of dried prunes, dried figs, and ricotta, boiled then seasoned in a velvety buttery brown sugar and cinnamon bath.

Kunafah

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Dive into the seductive world of Middle Eastern sweets with this irresistiblekunafah recipecourtesy of Riz ofChocolates & Chai. Imagine layers of crispy, golden shredded phyllo pastry encasing a luscious core of gooey ricotta cheese, delicately perfumed with rosewater and topped with a lemony sweet syrup. It’s a sensory delight that will take your taste buds to a world of exotic indulgence.

Ricotta Crumble Cheesecake

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A slice of sheer heaven! That’s what you get with this sumptuousricotta crumble cheesecakebyMarcellina In Cucina. A creamy ricotta with chocolate chip cheesecake filling joins forces with a buttery, crumbly cookie crust, creating a delectable symphony of textures. With every forkful, you’ll discover the perfect balance of richness and lightness that will leave you craving more.

Lavender Cake

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Revel in lavender’s enchanting aroma and delicate flavor with this subtly sweetlavender cakeby Jennifer ofMommy Evolution. Moist and tender, this floral-infused creation whisk you away to a serene garden, where each bite is a moment of tranquility and bliss—a true feast for the senses that will captivate your palate.

Ricotta Cheese Peda

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Immerse yourself in the vibrant and diverse flavors of Indian cuisine with these delightfulricotta cheese pedaby Hayley ofJ Cooking Odyssey. Soft and creamy, these beautiful bite-sized treats combine the richness of ricotta and ghee with aromatic cardamom. So, savor the enchanting blend of textures and the sweet essence of Indian tradition.

Easter Ricotta Pie

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Celebrate the joy of Easter with this delightfulricotta pieby one of our favorite food-blogging couples atThe Sage Apron. It starts with a buttery crust that’ll put you in the mind of a shortbread cookie. Then there’s the velvety ricotta filling enriched with citrus zest. With its symbolic significance and irresistible flavors, this pie is the perfect centerpiece for your Easter feast, embodying tradition and togetherness.

Baked Apples with Ricotta Cheese

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With thisbaked apples with ricotta cheeserecipe byMaria Ushukova, we find that sophisticated desserts need not be complicated or overly indulgent. As it sounds, you bake the apples until tender, then fill them with a creamy honey-sweetened mixture. It’s a warm, comforting, simple treat with delightful flavors and textures.

Baked Sweet Ricotta with Orange Zest

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Indulge in the luxurious flavors of this baked sweet ricotta with orange zest dessert byCalifornia Grown.And would you believe it takes just 5 minutes to make?First, you mix smooth and creamy ricotta with fragrant orange zest, honey, egg, and a couple of other ingredients before it’s off to the oven for a simple yet surprisingly elegant anytime dessert.

Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies

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Soft, chewy, and packed with bursts of citrusy goodness and decadent chocolate, theseOrange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookiesby Sandra ofShe’s Not Cookin’are a delightful balance of flavors. They’re easy to make with mostly pantry and fridge staples like flour, baking soda, and orange juice. Plus, each bite of these soft little cookies seems to just melt away. They’re the perfect treat for any occasion, but particularly lovely during the holiday season.

Ricotta Cheese Gulab Jamun

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Jump into the enchanting world of Indian sweets with these divinericotta cheese gulab jamunby Smruti ofHerbivore Cucina. Oh me, oh my! These delicate little buttery dumplings, soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup, offer a heavenly combination of creamy ricotta and aromatic cardamom for a flavor you won’t soon forget.

Kalakand with Ricotta Cheese

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Treat yourself to the rich and creamy delight ofkalakand with ricotta cheesebyPiping Pot Curry. This traditional Indian sweet is a soft milk fudge infused with the aromatic flavors of cardamom, saffron, and rose water. Then, they’re covered with crushed pistachios and saffron. The result is a heavenly dessert sure to captivate your imagination and taste buds.

Whipped Pumpkin Ricotta Dip

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Dive into autumn flavors with this irresistiblewhipped pumpkin ricotta dipfromRunning To The Kitchen. It’s a straightforward five-minute concoction featuring four simple ingredients: Creamy ricotta, velvety pumpkin, whole milk, and maple syrup. Perfectly paired with your favorite dippers like pretzels or cookies, this dip is a seasonal treat you’ll keep on repeat.

Dark Chocolate and Ricotta Tart

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With thisDark Chocolate and Ricotta Tart with Cherries, you can indulge in an exquisite 5-star dessert without effort. The base is a buttery crust that holds a luscious filling of smooth ricotta blended with decadent dark chocolate and fresh cherries. The result is a dessert that is both sophisticated yet deeply satisfying.

Apple Ricotta Cake

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Thanks to the almond meal, you can experience the warming flavors of autumn in thisgluten-free apple ricotta cake. Moist and tender, this cake is made with a generous amount of ricotta, giving it a delightful richness and a soft crumb. Plus, prior to baking, the batter is topped with fresh apple slices for a beautiful presentation.

Ricotta Pancakes

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Start your day on a delicious note with these tender and lightricotta pancakesby way ofMeriendas de Pasion. Adding creamy ricotta cheese to the batter imparts a subtle richness making for the fluffiest flapjacks you’ve ever had. So drizzle them with maple syrup, serve with fresh fruit or chocolate chips, and savor each bite of these irresistible pancakes.

Almond Raspberry Ricotta Parfaits

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Pump the brakes on the heavy desserts and instead treat yourself to these light and elegantalmond raspberry ricotta parfaitsby Kate ofNibble & Dine. Layers of creamy ricotta, tart macerated raspberries, and sliced almonds create a harmonious medley of flavors and textures. It’s a dessert that combines chic with simplicity, perfect for any occasion.

Fig Ricotta and Rum Caramel Gelato

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Mark and Angela at the Cooking With Wine Blog once again give us a taste of the good life with this luxuriousfig ricotta and rum caramel gelato. The velvety smoothness of the ricotta and mascarpone gelato blended with fresh figs is elevated even further by the richness of caramel and the subtle warmth of rum. It’s a frozen treat that will transport you to a realm of pure bliss.

Which Recipes With Ricotta Will You Make First?

So by now know, you’ve discovered all the creative and delicious ways you can use up that leftover ricotta. Were you intrigued by the orange chocolate chip ricotta cake, ricotta crumble cheesecake, or baked apples with ricotta cheese? Or did something else capture your interest? We’d love to know!

21 Unexpected Dessert Recipes with Ricotta (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with too much ricotta? ›

Make classic Italian American bakery-style ricotta cookies or cannoli dip with waffle crisps for dessert. Or go the savory route! Smear ricotta on toast and top it with braised butternut squash for a satisfying lunch, or make some tender homemade ricotta gnocchi for dinner.

Can you eat ricotta cheese raw? ›

Ricotta is smooth and slightly sweet from the heavy cream and you can even eat it when it's still warm. I love to mix olive oil, salt and pepper into it, then smear it across toast. It's also great mixed into hot pasta, layered onto lasagna, or turned into a dip for raw vegetables like radishes and carrots.

What is ricotta cheese good 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.

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 I freeze ricotta cheese? ›

Ideally, store the cheese in the back of your freezer, where the temperature is the lowest. The door of your freezer is a bit warmer and can fluctuate in temperature whenever you open and close it. Stored properly, fresh ricotta will last in the freezer for one to three months.

What are the disadvantages of ricotta cheese? ›

A half-cup serving of whole milk ricotta cheese contains 14.2 grams of fat, 8 grams of which is saturated. Saturated fats are known to contribute to the risk of heart disease.

Is it OK to scrape mold off ricotta cheese? ›

Soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, cream cheese and ricotta, with mold should be discarded. The same goes for any kind of cheese that's shredded, crumbled or sliced. With these cheeses, the mold can send threads throughout the cheese — contaminating more than you see.

Does sealed ricotta go bad? ›

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 do Italians eat ricotta? ›

In Italy, ricotta is typically eaten as a filling for pasta or cannoli.

Is it OK to eat ricotta everyday? ›

It can be enjoyed every day as part of a balanced diet. Ricotta is an Italian word that means 'recooked'. It's made from the whey portion leftover from other cheese making, which is reheated to bring the whey proteins together. The number of serves of dairy you need depend on your age and gender.

Do I need to drain store bought ricotta? ›

Why do I have to drain ricotta? Because otherwise there'd be cheese water in your ricotta (ew!) and if you used it in a recipe your dish would come out soggy.

Can you use ricotta instead of cream? ›

Ricotta is made from whey, the part of milk that remains after the curds form as a byproduct of cheese-making. For ricotta, the whey is processed into a firm textured consistency and is a naturally good source of calcium. It's an ideal substitute for cream or whole milk in a cream sauce.

What Italian dessert is made from sweetened ricotta stuffed into crispy pastry tubes? ›

Cannoli (singular cannolo) literally translates from Italian to “l*ttle tubes.” Cannoli are hand-formed, crispy little pastry tubes filled with a decadent ricotta filling. Marsala wine added to the pastry dough creates the perfect texture, and when fried, you end up with golden, flaky, slightly sweet cannoli shells.

Does ricotta melt when baked? ›

No, ricotta does not melt when baked like other cheeses. Although soft and creamy it keeps its shape. How long does it last? Once baked the ricotta will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days.

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.

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