Did you know that learning how to make ricotta cheese is ridiculously simple? What about if I tell you that the entire process needs only three ingredients that you probably have sitting in your kitchen right now? If you want to learn how to make creamy, rich homemade ricotta cheese, then look no further! I think my love for DIY’s has become fairly apparent on my blog. Whether it is learning something new and a little bit ‘odd’ or getting back to basics, throughout the journey, I’ve realized just how many home staples can easily be made at home with reasonably low-effort, all-natural processes. For example, with this homemade ricotta and other cheeses, you know exactly what is going into your food, and can save you from various additives, as well as money!
Plus, and I’m not just saying this, I honestly think homemade staples like this fresh ricotta cheese taste far superior to any supermarket option. And that includes this 3-ingredient homemade ricotta cheese. I also already currently have DIYs for other dairy products, including Homemade Labneh and labneh balls, Super Easy Homemade Cream Cheese, and How To Make Paneer At Home as well as How-to: DIY homemade Natural Yogurt.
How to use your homemade Ricotta cheese
Okay, I’m guessing that if you’ve found your way over to this blog post, then you may very well have an idea of how you’d like to use this homemade ricotta cheese. Just in case you are looking for some inspiration then this is a list of some of my favorite options:
Ricotta works perfectly within Ravioli and other filled pasta dishes, as well as dishes like lasagne. It can also be used to make delicious Gnudi, the lighter potato-free version of Gnocchi. Use it as a topping for pizzas alongside your other favorite toppings. Due to it’s relatively neutral, yet creamy flavor, you can use it as part of some delicious breakfast toasts served with honey/syrup and fruit. ( think peaches, plums, or citrus fruits) Alternatively, use it for savory toast, as I have below, with herbs and olive oil. It can be used to make various delicious dips to dip crackers or veg into, including hummus, a spinach dip, sweet dips, etc. Ricotta can be used in various sweet recipes, including cheesecakes and mug cakes. It’s a delicious addition to many summer salads in place of mozzarella. Delicious in tarts and quiche’s, like this Ricotta & Spinach pie ‘Tarte Soleil’ alongside some fresh seasonal veg. Not to mention ricotta-based pancakes and cakes!!
How to make Ricotta Cheese
The craziest thing about this DIY is how effortless it is to make. When thinking about ricotta cheese, I think about a weeks-long process of leaving milk to curdle and complicated procedures, when in reality, it’s so simple, and would even be a fun family project. All you need is milk, lemon juice ( or white vinegar), and salt. The ‘hardest’ decision is probably what milk to use. I decided to use full-fat (whole) unpasteurized milk. The process works best with whole milk, but can also work with 2%. Avoid using skim and non-fat milk varieties as well as UHT ( ultra pasteurized milk), as the skim types don’t have enough fat to separate into curds, and the UHT milk has been treated in a way that will stop it separating easily. You can use organic milk too, just make sure that it isn’t UHT. Simply mix your milk and salt at medium heat till just below boiling level, stirring occasionally. You can do this with a thermometer ( boiling level is 212.3F/ 100C), or wait for it to JUST begin to boil and switch off the heat immediately. Add the lemon juice then leave it to rest for around 10 minutes to curdle and separate the curd from the whey.
Lay a layer of cheesecloth over a sieve, draining into a large bowl. Pour the mixture over the cheesecloth and leave it to drain the excess liquid. The longer you strain it, the drier your cheese will be. This can be anywhere between 15-60 minutes.
You can store ricotta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Can You Freeze Ricotta Cheese?
The short answer is, yes, you can freeze leftover ricotta cheese. The Long answer is that there are some caveats to it. As ricotta is a fairly soft, wet cheese, the freezing process will likely change the texture of your homemade ricotta. When freezing the cheese, the moisture within it turns to ice. When defrosted, you’ll find that the container of cheese is more watery, yet the cheese itself is likely dried and more crumbly than before. This is because the whey and curds separate during the freezing/thawing process. Luckily, there are a few ways you can go about decreasing the changes as much as possible:
Use airtight containers to store the cheese; Insulated containers are even better. If you want to use a freezer bag, then make sure it is thoroughly airtight. I avoid using plastic wrap in the process, to cut down on plastic usage. You can press some of the excess liquid out of the cheese before placing it in the freezer, using some kitchen towel to soak up the excess liquid. It’s also best to stir it just before freezing too.
Freeze for two months! It’s best to label the container so you avoid consuming bad cheese.
To Thaw:
Only thaw your frozen ricotta cheese in the fridge, not at room temperature ( as it will attract bacteria), for around 5-6 hours before using it. Once again, there are a couple of steps you can take to help revive your ricotta at this point too.
I would suggest stirring the cheese often, while it thaws. This will help to bring the curds and whey back into a singular mixture. You could also blend the cheese, once thawed, and then drain the excess liquid.
How To Use The Thawed Ricotta:
Frozen and thawed ricotta is best used within cooked dishes, rather than in a recipe where the texture is essential, and it’s the star of the plate. Lasagnas and pasta dishes could be a good use, for example. And lastly, don’t re-freeze the cheese once it is defrosted. It will be okay for 2-3 days once thawed. I love seeing your recreations, so if you give this recipe a go, then feel free to tag me @Alphafoodie!
