Best 16 Homemade Ricotta Recipes

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.

EASY AND DELICIOUS HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Pour milk into a saucepan set over medium heat. Heat milk until it registers 194 degrees F (90 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir lemon juice and salt slowly into warmed milk. Let stand until milk curdles, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture carefully into the lined strainer. Let stand until most of the liquid has drained off the ricotta, about 15 minutes. Discard drained liquid.

EASY HOMEMADE BEEF AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Place the ground beef, onion, and garlic into a skillet over medium heat, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook the beef until browned, about 10 minutes, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain off excess fat.
• Mix the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, and ground beef mixture in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper lightly dusted with flour.
• To make the ravioli, lay out 15 wonton wrappers on a lightly floured work surface. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling into the center of each wonton wrapper. Dip your index finger into the beaten egg yolk, and smear a light coating of yolk all around the edge of the wonton wrapper. Place an unfilled wrapper on top of the filling, and press the two wrappers lightly together. Pick up the ravioli gently in your hand, and pinch the edges together tightly, squeezing out all the air. Seal and crimp the edges with a fork. Place the filled ravioli onto the parchment paper. Use immediately or freeze.

HOMEMADE RAVIOLI WITH RICOTTA CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• In an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, add eggs, 1 at a time, and mix. Continue mixing and add all the flour and water; continue mixing until it forms a ball. Sprinkle some flour on work surface, and knead the dough until elastic and smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
• Cut the ball of dough in half, cover and reserve the dough you are not immediately using to prevent it from drying out. Dust the counter and dough with flour. Form the dough into a rectangle and roll it through the pasta machine, 2 or 3 times, at its widest setting. Guide the sheet of dough with the palm of your hand as it emerges from the rollers. Reduce the setting and crank the dough through again, 2 or 3 times. Continue until the machine is at its narrowest setting. The dough should be paper-thin, about 1/8-inch thick.
• Dust the counter and dough with flour, and lay out the long sheet of pasta. Brush the top surface of dough with egg wash. Drop 1 tablespoon of cooled filling about 2 inches apart on half the sheet of pasta. Fold the unfilled half over the filling. With an espresso cup or finger, gently press out air pockets around each mound of filling and form a seal. Use a crimper to cut each pillow into squares. Check to make sure the crimped edges are well sealed before cooking. If making ravioli in advance, dust with cornmeal to prevent them from sticking.
• Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Ravioli will float to the top when cooked so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Lift the ravioli from water with a large strainer or slotted spoon. Plate the pasta, top with your favorite pasta sauce and grated cheese before serving.
• In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator a few minutes to firm up the filling.

SICILIAN HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a large colander or sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth. Set aside.
• Heat milk, buttermilk, heavy cream, and salt in a large, heavy, nonreactive saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally for the first 10 minutes. Continue heating, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 190 degrees F. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour. The mixture will be separated into white curds and clear whey.
• Using a slotted spoon, ladle approximately 1/4 of the curds into the cheesecloth-lined colander. Gather up the corners of the top cheesecloth and secure closed with a zip tie. Repeat with the rest of the curds, cheesecloth, and zip ties. Use the last zip tie to thread all of the cheeses together. Suspend the cheeses over a large wooden spoon over a large bowl, and let drain for 2 hours.
• Place the four cheeses, still in cloth, in a bowl in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, cut zip ties, and transfer cheese to an airtight container.

CHEF JOHN'S HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a deep bowl or pot.
• Combine milk, cream, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally in a "figure eight" motion, until it reaches a temperature of 195 degrees F (90 degrees C). If you don't have a thermometer, this will be right before it starts to simmer. You'll see steam rising from the surface, and tiny bubbles forming around the edges of the pan.
• Turn off the heat, pour in the vinegar, and stir slowly in a "figure eight" motion for 3 or 4 seconds.
• Let the mixture sit, untouched, for 6 minutes.
• Carefully ladle into the cheesecloth-lined mesh strainer so that the dripping whey drains into the pot or bowl. Let the ricotta drain into the pot for between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on how soft or firm you want your cheese. The longer it drains, the firmer the texture will be once chilled.
• Grab the ends of the cheesecloth and lift the drained ricotta out of the strainer and place in a bowl. Let cool on the counter to room temperature, then wrap and chill thoroughly.
• Remove cheesecloth and serve. Ricotta usually needs an additional pinch of salt when serving.

LEMON HERB, HOMEMADE RICOTTA & ROASTED TOMATO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Ricotta -- First step is to make your ricotta which - seriously makes itself. It is so easy. You will need a heavy bottomed pot or strainer or colander, cheese cloth and a big bowl. Step 1: Set up your colander over a large bowl. Make sure there is plenty of room in the bowl for the liquid to drain. Take 2 pieces of damp cheese cloth and line the colander. Step 2: In a medium to large pot, bring the milk, cream and salt to a rolling boil on medium heat stirring often. Once it is boiling add in the vinegar and immediately remove from the heat and stir. The vinegar will cause the milk and cream to separate and form curds. Stir a couple of times, wait 2-3 minutes, and then pour it into the strainer or colander on top of the cheese cloth. You will see the whey or clear liquid separate from the milk curds and drain to the bottom of the bowl. Let it rest at room temp for about 15-20 minutes to cool before you put it in the refrigerator. Just make sure as it sets in the refrigerator that none of the liquid in the bowl is touching the bottom of the ricotta. Make sure to cover the ricotta with saran wrap. Personally, I like to let mine set over night, but at least 4 hours to cool down and set.
• Tomatoes -- I like to have these chilled rather than hot, so I make these ahead of time too. Couldn't be easier. Oven at 425, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and add the tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for approximately 10 minutes until they begin to soften, but not falling apart. Let cool, transfer to a plate and cover. Done!
• Herbed Topping -- Add the ricotta, lemon zest and juice, scallions, herbs, salt and pepper. Mix well and set to the side. I prefer to make this right before I serve.
• Baguettes -- Some people bake them on a high temp in the oven, personally, I prefer to broil mine. They take only a minute or two and it is easy. I line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and add the baguette slices. Drizzle with olive oil and broil the first side. Once golden brown, flip and broil just another minute until brown. Remove and rub the garlic on the side you drizzled with olive oil. That is the side you will add the toppings to. The garlic is optional, but I think it gives it a great taste.
• Finish -- Top each of the baguette with a little of the arugula (optional), then a spoon of the ricotta and a tomato slice. ENJOY!
• Prep time doesn't include the chilling of the ricotta.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a large colander with 2 layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl.
• In a 5 to 6 quart pot over medium heat, heat milk, cream, and salt, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching, until mixture foams and comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add lemon juice. Simmer, stirring, until mixture curdles, 2 minutes for small curds. If you'd like a larger, dryer curd, continue to simmer an additional 2 minutes.
• Pour mixture into cheesecloth lined colander and drain 10 to 15 minutes or until desired texture is achieved. Empty liquid from bowl if necessary to ensure proper draining. Reserved whey can be used in smoothies or soup. Chill ricotta until ready to use.
• Serve spread onto crostini with a drizzle of olive oil, dollop over pasta or pizza, or stir into scrambled eggs. Ricotta will keep in the fridge for 1 week.

HOMEMADE FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Line a large strainer or colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth. Place lined strainer in a large bowl and set aside.
• In a heavy bottom 4 quart saucepan, heat milk and 1 teaspoons salt to boiling on medium high, stirring occasionally to prevent milk from scorching.
• Stir in lemon juice; cover and remove from heat.
• Let stand 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, gently transfer curds from the pan to the lined strainer. Drain 3 minutes. Discard whey in bowl.
• If not using right away, transfer ricotta to a clean bowl, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Reduced Fat Ricotta:.
• Substitute 4 cups reduced fat milk(2%) for 4 cups of the whole milk, and follow recipe as above.
• Makes about 2 cups.

HOMEMADE WHOLE MILK RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Run a double layer of cheesecloth under warm water to dampen, then gently squeeze to remove any excess water. Line a colander with the cheesecloth and set in the sink.
• Combine the vinegar and lemon juice in a small bowl.
• Bring the milk and cream to 190 degrees F, over medium-low heat, in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, stirring frequently to keep the milk mixture from scorching on the bottom. Add half of the vinegar mixture and 1 tablespoon salt and stir for 10 seconds (you'll see the milk mixture begin to slightly curdle). Remove from the heat, cover the saucepan with a lid and let sit for 20 minutes.
• Remove the lid and you'll see that the milk mixture has separated into small curds. Now stir in the remaining vinegar mixture and the milk mixture will continue to curdle. Stir for a few minutes. Pour this entire mixture into the prepared colander in the sink.
• Let drain until the desired texture, about 15 minutes for soft ricotta, 20 minutes for firm and creamy and 30 minutes for firm and slightly dry. For soft ricotta, serve warm or chilled in a small decorative bowl. For firm ricottas, gather the excess cheesecloth and shape the ricotta into a ball or disc and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
• Serve the ricotta with your favorite things, like a drizzle of honey and cracked black pepper, fresh or dried fruit, fruit preserves, crackers or fresh bread.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a medium pot, bring the cream, milk, and buttermilk to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Simmer gently for a few minutes until the milk solids rise to the surface and form what looks like a raft. Shut off the heat and allow the milk to rest and cool gently on the stove, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Line a strainer with a few layers of cheesecloth. Use a large spoon to scoop the solids from the surface into the strainer. Pour the liquid gently over the solids in the strainer, allowing the liquid to flow through the strainer and trapping the solids in the cheesecloth. The liquid is the whey and can be used to thicken soups or as a substitute for water in bread dough, among other things. Refrigerate for a few hours to allow all of the liquid to drain out and the ricotta to firm up slightly. Use the ricotta as desired.

HOMEMADE RICH FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large pan, combine the milk, yoghurt and cream and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
• Boil for 2 minutes, or until the milk is very curdled.
• Line a large mesh strainer with a damp kitchen towel or several layers of damp cheesecloth, making sure the cloth extends well over the sides of the strainer.
• Place the strainer over a deep bowl and pour the milk through the strainer.
• Drain 30 minutes, making sure the strainer does not rest in the liquid.
• Gather up the loose ends of the cloth and twist gently to extract more liquid.
• Transfer the curds to a bowl and stir in the salt and nutmeg.
• Discard the liquid (whey).
• The cheese will keep, refrigerated, for 3 days.

HOMEMADE FRESH RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
• 2. Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• 3. Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.

BASIC HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Place milk, cream, and vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil; simmer until curds form, about 2 minutes. Stir in salt and pour mixture through a cheesecloth over a bowl. Let it sit between 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how thick you want your ricotta to be.

EASY HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Line a colander with a few layers of cheesecloth and put it into the sink.
• Pour milk and buttermilk into large pot. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Curds will begin to rise up and clump on the surface. Once the mixture is steaming, stop stirring. Curds and whey will separate. Whey will look like cloudy water underneath a mass of white curds (this will happen at about 140 degrees F). When separated, turn off the heat and ladle the curds into the cheesecloth. When all curds are in the cloth and the dripping has slowed, gently bring up the edges of cloth and twist it to bring the curds together. Give a squeeze to let the water continue to drain. Tie it with string and hang it over the sink or a pan to drain for about 15 minutes or so. Let it drain 15 minutes more.
• Discard the whey. Untie the cheesecloth and pack the ricotta into airtight containers. Refrigerate and use within 1 week, or eat immediately. Serve with crusty garlic bread, olive oil and chunky salt, herbs or something else good.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Line a large strainer with two layers of cheesecloth, dampened with water; place over a large bowl. In a Dutch oven, bring milk, cream and salt just to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Remove from heat. Stir in vinegar; let stand until curds form, about 5 minutes., Pour into prepared strainer. Let stand until ricotta thickens to desired consistency, 30-60 minutes. Discard liquid. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.