Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (2025)

FAQs

How to use a lot of ricotta? ›

You can freeze ricotta cheese without altering the flavor, although the texture will likely be affected.

In comparison to hard cheeses, both unopened and opened ricotta cheese have a shorter shelf life due to their higher moisture content. Homemade ricotta cheese typically has an even shorter lifespan and should be consumed within a few days due to the absence of preservatives.

Ricotta is about 74% water, and when that water transforms into ice, it disrupts the cheese's texture and makes it dry, crumbly, and slightly grainy.

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. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.

Ricotta lovers will be happy to know that ricotta cheese is a healthy food and belongs to the dairy food group. It can be enjoyed every day as part of a balanced diet.

Soft cheeses like ricotta should last around one week after opening, according to the USDA — that's provided you're storing it between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (that is, at normal fridge temperatures).

Transfer the remaining ricotta cheese to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place the container or wrapped cheese in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). Consume the ricotta cheese within the recommended time frame specified on the package or within five to seven days after opening.

The high moisture content in ricotta causes ice crystals to form when frozen; in other words, when you thaw your ricotta, the texture of the cheese will have changed, which may be less appealing to some.

Opened ricotta generally lasts for about one week in proper storage conditions. To be on the safe side, give it the sniff test. If there is any off odor, toss it. Additionally, if there are any black spots, it's got to go.

Can you eat out of date ricotta? ›

Ricotta cheese, like cottage cheese and cream cheese, is high in moisture and spoils more quickly than hard cheeses. Use it promptly because it only stays fresh for a week or two. If the cheese doesn't look or smell like it did when you first opened it, your best course of action is to throw it out.

Homemade ricotta is tastier, fresher, and healthier than store-bought versions, which usually have preservatives. This isn't the kind of cheese you want to preserve. It's always best when you eat it fresh. It'll last a couple days, but you should really enjoy it in a couple minutes.

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.

Can you freeze ricotta cheese mixture? Yes! Say you've made a ravioli 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.

Stick your frozen ricotta in the fridge 24-48 hours before you need it so it has plenty of time to thaw. While your ricotta cheese may have a slightly different texture after it thaws, it typically maintains its structure very well and can be used in any recipe.

Sealed, Unopened Ricotta Cheese: A brand new, unopened container of ricotta is good for about two weeks in the fridge. The best-by date on the package is a helpful clue, but remember, it's not an exact expiration date. Think of it more as a suggestion for peak quality.

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).

Store in the fridge in an airtight container and use within two to five days. Packaged ricotta has a higher moisture content. When baking, use fresh ricotta to avoid soggy pastry.