Homemade Ricotta Cheese (Ina Garten's version) - Foolproof Living (2024)

Ricotta is a classic Italian cheese that is so easy to make at home. Although you can buy an authentic artisanal variety at the closest old-school Italian market, you can make ricotta cheese at home from scratch with a little bit of time and patience.

The best part – this easy homemade ricotta cheese recipe can be used in savory recipes like eggplant involtini, ricotta lemon pasta or strawberry ricotta bruschetta or sweet recipes like almond flour ricotta cake or lemon ricotta pancakes. Just as the Barefoot Contessa says, “how easy is that?”

Ingredients

The ricotta cheese ingredients are short and sweet – all you need is:

• Whole cow milk
• Heavy cream
• Kosher salt
• White wine vinegar

How to Make Ricotta Cheese At Home

DIY ricotta is as easy as it comes and will always outrank the regular grocery store variety. Here’s how to make ricotta cheese from scratch in your very own kitchen. Follow these simple steps for perfect results:

1. Prep equipment: Place a fine-mesh large sieve over a deep bowl (deeper and larger than the sieve) and line it with 2 layers of cheesecloth. Set aside.

2. Boil milk and cream: Pour the milk, cream, and salt into a large nonreactive saucepan like a Dutch oven (or any other heavy-bottomed saucepan). Stirring occasionally, heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a full boil (about 15 to 20 minutes) or the whey is heated to 185 degrees.
3. Add vinegar: Turn off the heat and slowly add the vinegar. Gently stir it once and let it sit undisturbed for 3 minutes. It will instantly start to curdle.

4. Separate the curds from the whey: Pour the mixture into a cheesecloth-lined sieve and let the mixture drain into the bowl for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 hours). Do not discard the leftover whey (more on that below). The longer you let the mixture drain the thicker it will get. I like mine after an hour. However, you can let it drain in the fridge overnight as well, especially if you like your fresh ricotta cheese on the thicker side.

4. Use and store: Transfer ricotta to a bowl. Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. The ricotta cheese will last for 4-5 days in the fridge.

How to Store

This delicious homemade ricotta cheese will keep in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days.

I do not recommend freezing the ricotta.

Expert Tips:

• Use half as much cream as milk. Too much heavy cream will weigh down your ricotta, making it less fluffy.
• Use an enameled pot. I like to use my Le Creuset (or Staub) Dutch oven.
• Use an instant-read thermometer if you can. You can add the vinegar as soon as the milk and cream mixture comes to a boil. However, for perfect results, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that it reaches 185 degrees F. (85 C.)
• Drain the ricotta well. The longer and more thoroughly you drain your ricotta, the thicker it will be. It tastes best when it is at room temperature.
• Don’t overmake. Homemade fresh ricotta goes bad quickly, so it is best to make only the amount you will use in the next few days. If you need to scale up the recipe, one gallon (16 cups) of a combo of milk and cream will yield approximately one pound of cheese.
• Resist the urge to stir it too much. It is best to let it do its thing.
• Don’t throw away the remaining whey (milky parts). It’s full of nutrients and good bacteria. You can add a little to the soaking liquid for grains, make pizza dough, use it in smoothies, or pour a touch in when marinating meats.

Why Should You Try This Recipe?

This homemade ricotta recipe delivers a luscious and creamy cheese that you can use in many recipes. But that is not the only reason why it is worth your time. Here are a few more reasons:

• All it takes is 4 ingredients: Milk and cream are the stars of the show, so make sure to buy the freshest ingredients you can find.
• You can adjust the consistency to your liking: Keep it moist or really thicken it; the choice is up to you. This fresh cheese is supposed to have a creamy consistency, but if you prefer it to be thicker, you can easily adjust the draining time and get the results you are after.
• Serving is super versatile: Its light flavor pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes, and its fluffy texture makes your baked goods that much more enjoyable.

• Chicken Stock
• Pot Roast
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Globs
• Chicken with Basil and Goat Cheese (One of the most popular recipes among all of my Goat Cheese Recipes)
• Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

If you try this Homemade Ricotta Cheese recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute torate the recipeand leave a comment below. It helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them onInstagramusing #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Adapted from Ina Gartens’ “Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That?” cookbook, Homemade Ricotta Cheese (page-74) and Herbed Ricotta Bruschettas (page-73).