Ricotta Cheese - Give Me Ideas

Graelwyn75

Never bought it before and have only ever had it stuffed inside fresh figs or apricots.
Anyone here have some other ideas as to how to make some good snacks/desserts using this cheese?

DavePFJ

I usually put some in a glass full of ice. Ricotta on the rocks is what we call it in my neck of the woods.

pucenavel

stuffed pasta shells

pucenavel

eggplant parmesan

angf0679

Baked Ziti. I use it along with parmesan-reggiano for the cheese mixture. Really fantastic tasting pasta dish.

KeriA

I use it instead of cottage cheese. I make Ricotta Cheese pancakes that are high protein and low carb. I use the Vegetarian Epicure recipe for Cottage Cheese Pancakes. I like that you can get part skim. You use it in Lasagna and stuffed pasta and Italian cheese cake. I use it instead of other cheeses in things like Macaroni and cheese and Potatoes au gratin to lower fat content. I also use cauliflower to lower the amount of potatoes and pasta in both these dishes and use a custard (1% milk and egg) not white sauce base. When cooked with the rest of the dish the cauliflower doesn't taste and blends with the potato and you don't realize it isn't potato or pasta. I combine the ricotta with part skim mozzarella and some cheddar for the taste. That way I can make these comfort foods with less fat and less carbs. They are healthier and just as yummy.

Graelwyn75

Thanks for the ideas so far, some really nice sounding ones.

Nebrie

Creamy Ricotta Pita with Spinach Salad and Almonds
Fill 1 whole-wheat pita with 1/3 cup ricotta cheese spread (combine 15.5 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese with 3 tablespoons peanut butter and 2 tablespoons honey. Keep in covered container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days). Serve with 2 cups prewashed baby spinach salad and 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber topped with 2 tablespoons fat-free ranch dressing and 1 tablespoon sliced almonds.

I got that from Good Housekeeping. Looks yummy to me. I'm trying it this weekend.

Apicius

try it on fruit toast with strawberries, blueberries and cinnamon. Also works for cottage cheese.

Francl27

Pancakes or cannoli cream (which I put on waffles/French toast instead of syrup). I just add a bit of sugar/stevia and vanilla extract.

And of course, Lasagna.

lillight93

Bruschetta with ricotta cheese! It's yummy!!!

Lasmartchika

In for the ideas. I've only heard of putting it in a lasagna recipe (which I've never done. :blushing: )

missiontofitness

Graelwyn75 wrote: »

Never bought it before and have only ever had it stuffed inside fresh figs or apricots.
Anyone here have some other ideas as to how to make some good snacks/desserts using this cheese?

Stuffed shells is always a good one. Another favorite of mine is to top homemade pizza with it with spinach, tomato, and a little basil/oregano.

thatsillyshana23

I use it for stuffed chicken or lasagna
For the chicken, get some thin chicken breasts, spinach, dill, ricotta, feta, garlic, and parsley. Cook the spinach and garlic then add it to a mix of everything else. Put some in the chicken, roll/fold them so they look stuffed and bake them. You can bread them if you want too. I Use that same mix for lasagna, but it requires a whole lot more.

blueblueheart

The ricotta dumplings in this recipe were amazing and I've found that these spinach cakes are nice to have around for a quick bite.

Graelwyn75

Apicius wrote: »

try it on fruit toast with strawberries, blueberries and cinnamon. Also works for cottage cheese.

Now that sounds right up my alley.

Alluminati

Chocolate chip cannolis

alereck

I eat it with bread. Wheat toast, ricotta or cottage cheese, with honey or jam. Yum!

Graelwyn75

OdesAngel wrote: »

Chocolate chip cannolis

I really want to try these legendary Cannolis but I have never made them and the only place that sells them here charges an obscene amount for these tiny little 2 bite things.

HipsterWhovian

I don't have a recipe, but you can use ricotta to make cheesecake!

trishtrish1

My 2 faves - mix plain ricotta with a bit of vanilla (or even ORANGE) extract, add a smidge of Splenda, stir and eat. I knew someone who added toasted almonds to that. I like it without.

Next is similar, but add some pumpkin pie filling, canned pumpkin, whatever.

Enjoy!

oedipa_maas

I love ricotta and use it in ways that are already mentioned in this thread. But I particularly like plain ricotta with granulated white sugar. You don't have to add a lot of sugar, just a bit. The crunchy sweetness of the granules is so delicious with the smooth creaminess of the ricotta.

Momjogger

How about inside a calzone with spinach and then dip it in marinara sauce. Yum.

Nebrie

RKunkee wrote: »

I'm trying it this weekend.

Update. It is indeed yummy. I think it needs something to give it a bit more kick. It's sweet and bland if that's even possible. Husband thinks it needs bacon crumbles. I keep thinking it needs a bit of pickle rather than cucumber. I'll mess around with it to see what works best to suit my nutritional needs and palate.

MoochieRama

SouthBeach cookbook has a recipe w 1 container of Ricotta, a few drops of almond flavoring, 2 equal. It has protein, low calorie.

GoingSlightlyMad

With oatmeal, apple slices and almonds, or mixed with a little honey... Yum.

bingefreebabe

I love it slightly microwaved, with slices of breakfast sausage. It's a twist on breakfast that is truly yummy and satisfying.