5 Easy Ricotta Cheese Recipes

Ricotta cheese is a versatile ingredient used in sweet and savory dishes which allows for a wide selection of easy ricotta cheese recipes.  Whether you are looking for an appetizer, main course, dessert or a breakfast food, use these five easy ricotta cheese recipes to find one you enjoy.

Easy Ricotta Pancakes

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 eggs
• Non-stick cooking spray

1. Sift together flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl.  
2. Whisk together ricotta cheese, milk, melted butter and eggs in a separate bowl. 
   
3. Stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture.  Mix just until combined.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Spray with cooking spray.
5. Pour about 1/4 cup batter into the hot pan.  Tilt the pan to spread the batter evenly.
6. Cook until bubbles form and pop on the top of the pancake.  Flip and cook until the second side is lightly browned.
7. Serve warm with fruit, syrup and/or powdered sugar.

Easy Ricotta Crostini

• 16 slices crusty bread
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons pepper
• 3 tablespoons oregano
• 16 anchovy fillets, optional

1. Preheat broiler.  Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
2. Brush or drizzle olive oil over each side of the bread.  Rub both sides of the bread with garlic.  Lay bread slices flat on the baking sheet.
3. Mix ricotta cheese, pepper and oregano in a small bowl.  
4. Spread a bit of the cheese mixture over one side of the bread.  Top each slice with one anchovy fillet, if desired.
5. Broil for about one minute or until the cheese is warm and bubbly.

Easy Baked Ziti

• 1 pound hot sausage, with casing removed, or ground beef
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 6 ounces pesto
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 9 ounces spinach, washed and chopped
• 1 pound cooked ziti pasta

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Generously grease a four-quart baking dish.
2. Cook sausage or ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink.  Drain.
3. Stir in onions, garlic, tomatoes and pesto.  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for ten minutes.
4. Combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and spinach in a mixing bowl.
5. Place cooked ziti pasta in the prepared baking dish.  Pour meat mixture over the pasta, then top with cheese mixture.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until heated through and browned.

Easy Lasagna

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 cans tomato soup or 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 package no-bake lasagna noodles
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly grease a large casserole dish.
2. Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.  Cook until no longer pink, then drain.
3. Add onion and garlic.  Saute until onion is tender and translucent.
4. Stir in tomato soup or tomato sauce and vinegar.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Line the prepared pan with a single layer of lasagna noodles.  Top noodles with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese, then 1/3 of the meat mixture and 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.  Repeat the layers two additional times to use all of the meat and cheeses.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.  Allow to sit for about 15 minutes, then slice and serve.

Easy Ricotta Cheese Cake

• 1 box cake mix, any flavor
• 4 eggs
• 2 pounds ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup plus two tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions.  Pour the batter into  the prepared baking pan.
3. Combine eggs, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.  Pour evenly over the cake batter.
4. Sprinkle remaining sugar and cinnamon over the top of the cake batter.
5. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.