Baked Ricotta Recipe
While I had an amazing trip to Italy last fall, I have one major regret: I didn’t eat any cannoli there!
Can you believe it? I went all the way there, and never got to try the sweet-ricotta-cheese-filled-fried-pastry delicacy in its homeland.
Granted, I had a huge list of foods I wanted to try, including cacio e pepe, gelato, suppli, oven-fired pizza, fettuccine bolognese, bistecca alla Fiorentina, ribbolita and more gelato, so there just wasn’t time (or room in my stomach) for everything.
With no transition other than “ricotta!,” let’s talk about this fun little party appetizer. I’ve been noticing baked ricotta, whipped ricotta and other varieties of ricotta dip more and more on restaurant menus lately.
Ricotta cheese is such a perfect starting point for a dip because it has a luscious creamy flavor on its own (and so good dolloped on top of rigatoni meat sauce), but is also endlessly adaptable to whatever flavors you want to add to it.
That’s why I make my lasagna with cottage cheese recipe and save the ricotta for an appetizer!
With Meyer lemons nearing the end of their season, I may have bought too many Meyer lemons this week.
To the tune of a HUGE bowl of them that is staring me in the face and making me feel guilty every time I open the fridge (don’t worry, I used a few for a lemon margarita).
I might need to make another batch of Candied Meyer Lemon Cookies, and it looks like this baked ricotta was destined to be flavored with Meyer lemon, too.
Why you’ll love this Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese Recipe
- It’s as easy as simply stirring a few things together. Perfect for any skill level in the kitchen.
- It’s mild yet delicious flavors make it a hit at gatherings. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Lemon Baked Ricotta Ingredients
- ricotta cheese – this is the creamy, rich base of the dish.
- lemon juice and zest – you can use Meyer lemons if they are in season, or regular lemons if they are not.
- Dijon mustard – adds a subtle tang for depth of flavor.
- thyme – adds a fresh, herbal note.
- rosemary – adds a fragrant, piney herb flavor that works well with the ricotta.
- black pepper – balances the creaminess with a mild, spicy warmth.
- cayenne – offers a slight heat that adds complexity to the spread.
How to Make Baked Ricotta
- STIR. In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, lemon juice, mustard, thyme, lemon zest, rosemary, black pepper and cayenne
- BAKE. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish or several individual ramekins. Transfer to the oven and bake until the edges are bubbling.
Baked Ricotta Recipe Home Chef Tips
- For best results, use full fat ricotta cheese here. A reduced fat variety won’t have as good of a consistency or flavor.
- Pair this snack with a crisp white wine or light rosé.
What to eat with baked lemon ricotta cheese?
Serve this Meyer Lemon Baked Ricotta with crostini, crackers or vegetables. I love adding blistered tomatoes to the scene as well.
How to store Lemon Ricotta Cheese
If you have leftovers, transfer them to a storage container and place them in the fridge uncovered for a few hours until they are fully chilled, then cover them with the lid and keep in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
For the Baked Ricotta:
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon grated Meyer lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch cayenne
For Garnishing and Serving:
- Olive oil
- Sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper
- Toasted bread and/or crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, stir together ricotta, lemon juice, mustard, thyme, lemon zest, rosemary, black pepper and cayenne. Spread evenly in 2 cup baking dish or several individual oven safe ramekins. Transfer to oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are bubbling.
- To serve, garnish with olive oil, sea salt and black pepper. Serve immediately with toasted bread and/or crackers.
We didn’t get to have any cannolis either in Italy! There’s just so much food! Although I did have sfogliatella on our first day, which I felt like was much more a priority over a cannoli. I love warm ricotta and over course meyer lemons. I could inhale one of those cocottes easily.
I know, SO much food, it’s just insane. You’d have to be there a month to try every “famous” food. Not to mention, you’d have to travel around to all the different regions of Italy!
Gotta love this ricotta!!!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Thanks J & A!
That looks so good. I had something very similar recently at a great Italian restaurant. I didn’t even think about it was something I could make myself and serve at home. Sometimes, I just overlook the obvious. Thanks for sharing this because I will be making it. I will play around with the spices though until I have just exactly what I want. Don’t we all do that, yours looks so good though that will be the first one I try, but I have to admit I’m not crazy about lemon in it. I do like lemons but there’s just something about the spices and the lemon together that I can’t seem to get a taste for. But, I will give it a try. Thanks
Thanks so much for stopping by, Debra. The best part of this recipe is that it is really a blank canvas to add (or not add) whatever spices or flavors you want! I hope yours turns out perfect!
What a fantastic(ally simple) appetizer! Do you have a favorite brand of ricotta? I’ve been trying different ones from time to time but haven’t found one I really love yet (besides making my own – but often I’m too pressed for time).
Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you the name of the brand I usually buy. I know it’s in a blue tub. It’s nothing amazing, I’ll leave it at that. I would love to find a really GREAT brand, so keep me posted if you find one 🙂
Your lemon ricotta looks so yummy!! And simple to prepare! I can definitely see serving it as an appetizer at a dinner party.
Thanks so much, Mary! I created it with a dinner party in mind, for sure 🙂
Whenever I’m in Boston, I make sure to go to Little Italy to get a cannoli (or five). Your culinary voyage to Italy sounds amazing. The more I hear about the country, the more I want to go. 🙂 This lemon baked ricotta…I’m swooning. I’d probably eat the entire tray by myself with wine.
YES. The cannoli from Mike’s Pastry in Boston will probably always be my standard for cannoli. Where do you buy cannoli in Boston, Erin?
And no judgement on wanting to eat the entire tray. Especially if there’s wine 😉
I haven’t been to Mike’s though every raves about it. I have been to Modern, which is soooo good.