Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (2024)

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Don’t let leftover ricotta go to waste! It’s a tasty addition to many of your favorite recipes. Try it in pancakes, pound cakes, pasta, pizza, and more!

By

Claudia Cash

Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (1)

Claudia Cash

Claudia has been a contributor for Simply Recipes 2017, writing numerous articles focused on cooking on a budget, quick and easy meals, and kid-friendly foods.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Published May 18, 2020

Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (2)

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Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (3)

Ricotta is one of the best things about life. That may be a bold statement, but I stand by it! Its creamy texture pairs well with so many ingredients and its mild flavor can enhance any savory or sweet dish.

It’s really easy to make Homemade Ricotta -- this is a great way to use up milk or yogurt. Whether you make ricotta from scratch or buy it at the store, making sure you have ideas to make the most of what’s sitting in your fridge is always a good idea.

You can freeze it, but I prefer to eat it on my morning toast with a little jam. If you’re looking for something with a little more pizzazz, put leftover ricotta to good use with these recipes!

  • Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (4)

    Ricotta cheese adds a creamy richness to these pancakes that will have you swooning! These extra-fluffy pancakes are the best way to start the day.

  • Pasta with Spinach, Artichokes and Ricotta

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (5)

    Frozen artichokes, fresh spinach, and creamy ricotta come together in a delightful dish. It can be on the table in under 30 minutes. How’s that for winning?

  • Mint Ricotta Stuffed Shells

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (6)

    Stuffed shells are one of the best things on this planet, but add in a little mint to the mix? They basically become the best thing in the universe. Go ahead and give it a whirl. You won’t regret it!

  • Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Pound Cake

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (7)

    Wait a minute — ricotta in a pound cake? You betcha! It takes the place of some of the butter and flour in this recipe and it’s sure to win the hearts of everyone who is lucky enough to try it.

    Continue to 5 of 11 below.

  • Lemony Spaghetti with Peas and Ricotta

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (8)

    If ever there was a dish that screams SPRING, this is it! Bright lemon flavor, fresh peas (although you can use frozen if that’s what you have) and creamy ricotta make up one terrific trio.

  • Zucchini Ricotta Frittata

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (9)

    Seriously so fun to say and it’s even more fun to eat! Who thought ricotta and frittata would become best friends? Welp, they are and it’s glorious!

  • Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (10)

    Why yes, gnocchi CAN be made with ricotta! It’s much more forgiving than the potato version, so if you’ve ever wanted to try making gnocchi but haven’t made the plunge, now’s your chance.

  • Tomato Ricotta Tart

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (11)

    You could very well call this an appetizer, but I call it lunch. It’s simple, fresh, and will charm the socks off your taste buds.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below.

  • Three-Cheese Pesto Lasagna

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (12)

    If you want to make a dish that’s a little unconventional, try adding pesto to lasagna! It’s simply delightful and will still give you that warm cozy, comfort food feeling lasagna brings.

  • Honey Ricotta Stuffed French Toast

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (13)

    The divine combo of honey, ricotta, and lemon is what sets this French toast apart from all the other recipes out there. Just one of these slices is enough to fill you up, so dig in!

  • Tortilla Pizza with Onions, Mushrooms, and Ricotta

    Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (14)

    Ever thought of using ricotta as a sauce for pizza? Sounds a tad outrageous, but it works! Just be sure to keep the toppings on the thin side so the tortilla crust can stay nice and crispy!

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FAQs

Can you save leftover ricotta? ›

Previously frozen ricotta will last for up to three days in the fridge. Don't bother refreezing, as this will completely ruin the texture. This is why you may want to consider freezing the ricotta in individual servings — silicone ice cube trays are great for this purpose ($13, Amazon).

Can you freeze an open container of ricotta cheese? ›

If you have an unopened container of ricotta, you can stick the whole thing right in the freezer, but if the package has been opened, you have to transfer the cheese to a new container. Use a clean, airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and bacterial contamination.

What can I do with leftover ricotta water? ›

The liquid whey left over from making ricotta is really healthy. Cover and refrigerate it to use in breads, soups, and smoothies instead of milk or water. You can also use it instead of water when cooking pasta or rice. Or, if you're really adventurous, try drinking it plain (you'll make your great-grandma proud).

What does adding egg to ricotta for lasagna 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.

How long does cooked ricotta last in the fridge? ›

Baked Ricotta Storage Instructions

This baked ricotta will last up to 6 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.

How long does ricotta cheese last in refrigerator? ›

Unopened ricotta will last about two weeks in the fridge, while opened ricotta will last just a week. As for the freezer, you can store ricotta for up to three months.

How long can ricotta cheese sit out before it goes bad? ›

For the best taste and quality, cheese should not be left out for longer than two hours at room temperature.

How long can you eat ricotta after opening? ›

Does ricotta go bad in the fridge? Even with this careful handling, an opened package of ricotta will only last one to two weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To be on the safe side, discard ricotta cheese that's been in your fridge for longer than two weeks after opening it.

Why does ricotta say do not freeze? ›

Ricotta cheese has a high water content and the water separates from the cream when frozen. Vigorously stirring frozen and defrosted ricotta is the best way to bring back the creamy consistency, however it might still be slightly grainy.

How can you tell if ricotta cheese has gone bad? ›

The sign your ricotta is bad

Yes, ricotta doesn't have a terribly distinct smell, especially compared to other cheeses, but once it begins to smell sour, that's a sign it's gone bad. Additionally, while mold is a sign to throw out your ricotta, there are other changes in appearance that can indicate something's wrong.

What happens when you freeze ricotta? ›

When it comes to storing ricotta, you can use the freezer, but it's important to know that it will compromise the quality of your cheese. While its flavor may endure the freezing process, the texture of ricotta suffers once it has been frozen and thawed, transforming from smooth and creamy to gritty and clumpy.

What does adding egg to ricotta do? ›

Eggs help bind the ricotta cheese, but if you don't have eggs on hand then it's OK to omit them. Adding egg to ricotta cheese helps to bind the cheese for lasagna so that it doesn't ooze out of the casserole when you cut it. Basically, the egg helps all the cheesy goodness stay intact.

What is leftover after making ricotta? ›

This thin liquid that's leftover is from the coagulation of proteins and fats in milk and cream during the cheese-making process. But don't pour it down the drain! Whey is actually pretty useful stuff.

What happens when you heat ricotta cheese? ›

In other words, the cheese doesn't melt. So ricotta falls in the same category as paneer, halloumi, queso blanco and other cheeses that can be heated without melting. This is why ricotta is such a fine choice for lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli and cheesecake. It heats wonderfully, but doesn't reduce to a pool of goo.

Can you save ricotta cheese mixture? ›

Can you freeze ricotta cheese mixture? Yes! Say you've made a pasta filling with ricotta cheese and other ingredients like Parmesan cheese, eggs and herbs, it is perfectly fine to freeze it. On thawing, excess liquid may need to be drained away but otherwise it will be good.

Can I freeze ricotta cheese then use for lasagna? ›

Vigorously stirring frozen and defrosted ricotta is the best way to bring back the creamy consistency, however it might still be slightly grainy. Even so, frozen and defrosted ricotta should work fine in both sweet and savory baked recipes, like lasagna and cakes.

Can you freeze ricotta cheese in lasagna? ›

When it comes to the creamy and cheesy layer, ricotta, cottage cheese, and béchamel fillings can all be frozen, although béchamel varieties tend to weather the freezing process a bit better. Both meat and vegetable lasagnas can be frozen, but be sure to fully cook any meat before assembling and freezing.

What happens if you don't add egg to ricotta for lasagna? ›

Adding egg to ricotta cheese helps to bind the cheese for lasagna so that it doesn't ooze out of the casserole when you cut it. Basically, the egg helps all the cheesy goodness stay intact. So what happens if you don't put eggs in your lasagna? It'll just be a bit runnier, but omitting the egg won't affect the taste.

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