29 Ricotta Recipes for Dinner, Dessert, and More
When you think of recipes with ricotta, you might picture stuffed shells, cheesy calzones, and crisp cannoli. But these creamy, curdy cheese recipes go beyond those Italian-American classics. Ricotta shows up all over the Epi archives, in savory dinners and appetizers as well as desserts and breakfast dishes. Think vegetable-packed casseroles, cheesy pasta bakes, fluffy ricotta pancakes, elegant cheesecakes, and more.
If you want to step it up, make your own fresh ricotta. But these ricotta recipes are just as good when you’re working with the half-full tub in your fridge.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Toni Brogan1/29Penne With Spinach and Ricotta
This ricotta recipe is perfect for those nights when you have no idea what to cook. A luxurious cream sauce and plenty of spinach make this 30-minute dinner simple and satisfying.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich2/29Creamy Mushroom Lasagna
This ricotta lasagna gets its depth from two pounds of sautéed mushrooms. Layer the mushrooms with ricotta and an aromatic béchamel for a dinner-party-worthy dish. (Looking for lasagna with red sauce and sausage? We have that too.)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/29Vegetarian Skillet Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells can be a project, but this genius stovetop version makes it weeknight-friendly. Serve with a Caesar salad and garlic bread for a true feast.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances Boswell4/29Manicotti
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova5/29Fettuccine With Shredded Zucchini, Fresh Ricotta, and Lemon Zest
Ricotta can make any pasta instantly creamy. For this bright, simple dish, sauté garlic and shredded zucchini with fresh lemon zest, then stir in the pasta, cheese, starchy pasta water, mint, and parsley.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones6/29Cacio e Pepe Pie
This party-friendly riff on cacio e pepe binds the pasta with egg, half-and-half, and ricotta cheese, allowing it to bake into a sliceable, celebratory pie.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Heather Greene, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou7/29Sausage and Ricotta Baked Cannelloni
Pair store-bought pasta sheets and marinara with homemade béchamel, Italian sausage, and a ricotta-chard filling for a meal that’s equal parts doable and memorable.
Gentl & Hyers8/29Ricotta Gnocchi With Asparagus, Peas, and Morels
Want to know the secret to the fluffiest gnocchi? Ricotta cheese, of course. Save this dish for spring, when morels, peas, and asparagus are at their best, or pair the homemade gnocchi with whatever is in season.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen, Food Styling by Molly Baz10/29Marinated Summer Squash With Hazelnuts and Ricotta
When summer squash is abundant, caramelize it, then toss the cooked vegetables with a mint-and-garlic vinaigrette. Spoon the soaked squash over a bed of creamy lemon ricotta and be sure to have plenty of crusty bread on hand for scooping.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne11/29Gozleme With Spinach and Three Cheeses
These Turkish-inspired flatbreads are extra cheesy thanks to a trio of feta, ricotta, and grated kasseri. And they’re also fresh thanks to a ton of herbs.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen13/29Shredded Brussels Sprout and Ricotta Toast
Top ricotta-smeared toast with a bright tangle of shredded brussels sprouts, raisins, and pine nuts. It’s the perfect hors d’oeuvre for Thanksgiving or any winter holiday.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks14/29Cheesy Delicata Squash and Kale Casserole
Combine kale and thinly sliced squash (plus plenty of ricotta) in this cozy casserole—exactly the kind of vegetarian comfort food we crave in the colder months.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson15/293-Ingredient Charred Green Beans With Ricotta and Lemon
We’re no strangers to the challenge of making green beans feel exciting—but believe us when we say that this recipe changes everything. Pile grilled green beans atop whipped ricotta for a crowd-pleasing, not-at-all-boring summer side.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton16/29Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Almond Filling
Top store-bought frozen puff pastry with a thyme-and-orange-infused ricotta spread to make this mesmerizing savory tart.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks18/29White Pizza With Shaved Vegetables and Pesto
Photo by Linda Xiao21/29One-Bowl Ricotta Olive Oil Pound Cake
Olive oil enriches this cake, orange zest brightens it, and ricotta keeps it tender. Eat it by the slice as you walk out the door or serve it at a dinner party with a blueberry compote on the side.
Photo by Johnny Miller24/29Ricotta Tart With Roasted Cherries
With a buttery crust, a creamy fennel-and-orange ricotta filling, sweet roasted cherries, and a crystallized almond garnish, this recipe from pastry chef Claudia Fleming delivers on every front.
Photo by Emilie Raffa25/29Sourdough Key Lime Ricotta Cookies
Two classic desserts—Italian ricotta cookies and Key lime pie—join forces in this bright, zesty cookie. They’d make an excellent addition to your holiday cookie box.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova27/29Sheet-Pan Cider-Ricotta Pancakes With Pear Compote
Photo by Ditte Isager29/29Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes
We couldn’t wrap up a list of the best recipes with ricotta without this brunch favorite. Ricotta keeps these pancakes light, lemony, and remarkably moist.
