Ricotta cheese is a fresh Italian cheese made from whey left over after making cheeses like mozzarella or provolone. Store-bought ricotta can sometimes be grainy or dry in texture. The good news is there are several easy ways to make store-bought ricotta creamier and smoother for cooking, baking, spreading, and more.
Why Store-Bought Ricotta Can Be Grainy
There are a few reasons why store-bought ricotta may not have the creamy, smooth texture you want:
- It’s mass-produced – Store-bought ricotta is made in large batches which don’t allow for as much control over texture.
- It contains fillers – Many commercial brands add thickeners and stabilizers which can make the texture grainy.
- It’s low-fat – Full-fat ricotta is naturally creamier. Low-fat or part-skim varieties have less fat so texture suffers.
- It’s older – The longer ricotta sits, the more liquid separates out leaving a coarser curd behind.
Tips for Making Store-Bought Ricotta Creamier
Here are some simple tips for improving the texture of store-bought ricotta:
Stir thoroughly
Give the container of ricotta a good stir before using. This will reincorporate any liquid that has separated out.
Whip it
Place ricotta in a bowl and beat with a whisk or electric mixer until smoother and creamier. The agitation will break up any lumps.
Strain it
Line a sieve with cheesecloth and strain the ricotta over a bowl. Let it drain for at least an hour in the fridge. Discard any liquid and you’ll be left with a thicker, creamier cheese.
Add dairy
Mix in a tablespoon or two of milk, cream, sour cream, or plain full-fat yogurt. The added dairy makes the ricotta smoother.
Mix in olive oil
Drizzle in a little extra virgin olive oil as you stir or whip the ricotta. The oil emulsifies with the cheese for a creamier texture.
Blend it
Place ricotta in a food processor or blender and process until completely smooth. Stop to scrape down sides as needed.
Warm it gently
Gentle heat makes ricotta easier to stir while melting any lumps. Warm over very low heat while stirring constantly.
Let it rest
If time allows, refrigerate ricotta overnight. This allows moisture to evenly distribute again.
| Method | Time Required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Stir thoroughly | 1 minute | Easy |
| Whip/beat ricotta | 2-5 minutes | Easy |
| Strain ricotta | 1-12 hours | Medium |
| Mix in dairy/oil | 1-2 minutes | Easy |
| Blend ricotta | 1-3 minutes | Easy |
| Gently warm ricotta | 3-5 minutes | Medium |
| Let ricotta rest overnight | 6-12 hours | Easy |
Best Uses for Creamy Ricotta
Once you’ve improved the texture of store-bought ricotta with one of these easy methods, what are the best ways to use your creamy cheese?
Lasagna and Baked Pastas
Smooth, creamy ricotta makes lasagna extra rich and luscious. Use it as a layer between pasta and sauce or mix with spinach, herbs, and spices for a ricotta filling.
Ravioli and Stuffed Pastas
Blend ricotta with Parmesan, lemon zest, and herbs for a flavorful filling for ravioli, manicotti, or stuffed shells.
Dips and Spreads
Whip ricotta and fold in pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, or other mix-ins for an easy dip or sandwich spread.
Cheesecake
For a lighter cheesecake, replace some or all of the cream cheese with creamy ricotta.
Pancakes and Waffles
Fold ricotta into pancake or waffle batter for extra fluffiness. Top cooked pancakes with fruit compote and ricotta.
Dessert Fillings and Frostings
Sweeten ricotta with honey or powdered sugar and use as a filling for cakes and pastries or as a lighter frosting.
Pizza
Dollop creamy ricotta over pizza fresh out of the oven for a classic Italian-style pizza with fresh, milky flavor.
Salads
Ricotta pairs well with both fruit and vegetables. Toss crumbled ricotta over salad greens or roasted veggies.
Breakfast Bowl
For breakfast, top ricotta with your favorite fruits, nuts, granola, honey, and other toppings for a yummy, protein-packed start.
Tips for Storing and Handling Creamy Ricotta
To keep your ricotta creamy and fresh, follow these storage tips:
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, freeze for 2-3 months.
- Thaw frozen ricotta gradually in the refrigerator before use.
- Avoid mixing ricotta with very acidic ingredients like tomato sauce for extended periods as this can cause curdling.
- For a smooth consistency, stir ricotta well before adding to recipes.
Homemade Ricotta for Maximum Creaminess
For the creamiest ricotta texture and freshest flavor, consider making your own ricotta cheese at home. It only requires two ingredients – milk and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. The process takes about an hour from start to finish.
Homemade ricotta has a sweet, milky flavor and lusciously smooth, creamy texture perfect for all your cooking and baking needs. While it requires more hands-on time compared to buying store-bought, the end result is well worth it!
Here is a simple homemade ricotta recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 1 gallon whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt, optional
Instructions
- Pour milk into a large pot and bring to 200°F over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Once milk reaches temperature, remove from heat. Slowly stir in vinegar or lemon juice. Allow to sit undisturbed for 5 minutes as curds separate from whey.
- Line a colander with cheesecloth and ladle milk solids into the lined colander to drain. Allow to drain for at least 30 minutes to reach desired thickness.
- Transfer drained curds to an airtight container, sprinkling with salt to taste if desired. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
The yield is about 2 cups of ricotta cheese. Use within 5 days for the freshest flavor and texture.
Conclusion
While store-bought ricotta often lacks creaminess, there are many simple tricks for improving texture right at home. Stirring, straining, blending, and mixing in dairy or oil can make ricotta smooth and luscious in minutes. For best results, consider making your own fresh ricotta. With a creamy texture and sweet, milky flavor, homemade ricotta is ideal for lasagna, ravioli, dips, pancakes, desserts, and much more. Follow proper storage methods to keep ricotta fresh for smooth, delicious recipes any time.