70+ Recipes: What to Do with Leftover Ricotta Cheese (2024)

Ever wondered what to do with leftover ricotta cheese? Here are sweet and savoury recipes that use ricotta cheese that are so good you’ll want to have leftover ricotta all the time!

When you bake as much as I do, you’ll inevitably end up with leftover ingredients.

Sometimes a recipe only needs ½ cup and you have 1 cup. Or it only needs egg whites not the yolks.

I found myself always looking for ways to use up leftovers so I decided to put these recipes in a handy-dandy list so I can easily go to them when needed. And now you can too!

Ricotta cheese is such a versatile ingredient, used for both sweet and savoury dishes. It’s such a waste to not use it all up!

If you’re wondering how to use up that tub of leftover ricotta cheese sitting in your fridge, you’re in the right place. From breakfast to dessert, from appetizers to main dishes, you’ll find your favourite ricotta cheese recipe here.

DESSERTS WITH RICOTTA CHEESE

Bake something sweet, fruity and chocolatey. Ricotta cheese makes your baked goods soft, tender, absolutely delightful.

Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake (with video)

You don’t need frosting or glaze on this delightful Meyer lemon ricotta pound cake. Sweet and salty, soft and moist, it’s perfect with your coffee in the morning or your favourite tea in the afternoon.

Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Cake (Easy Recipe)

This lemon blueberry ricotta cake is a delicious spring and summer dessert. Fresh juicy blueberries, bright lemon flavour, light and tender cake. It’s delicious on its own and doesn’t need a glaze. It’s very easy to make too.

Strawberry Ricotta Cake (Easy No-Fail Recipe)

Strawberry ricotta cake is soft, melt-in-your-mouth, creamy and delicious! It’s like cheesecake but without all the work. And it’s just what we need to bring us out of winter and into spring.

Chocolate Ricotta Cake

This chocolate ricotta cake has a light and tender texture, packed with chocolate chips and very easy to make. It’s like cheesecake without all the work!Needs less than 10 ingredients and done in just 30 minutes.

No Crust Italian Pear and Ricotta Cheesecake

Photo Credit:www.mangiabedda.com

This classic Italian style cheesecake is made without any cream cheese and has a light and creamy texture.

Pressure Cooker Italian Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake

Photo Credit:thisoldgal.com

Pressure cooker Italian Meyer lemon ricotta cheesecake is a light and fluffy Italian style cheesecake and 50% lighter than a New York cheesecake.

Magic Baked Cheesecake - 3 Ingredients!

Photo Credit:www.thepetitecook.com

This crustless Italian ricotta cheesecake is halfway between the classic New York cheesecake and the popular Burnt Basque cheesecake.The main difference is that this easy gluten-free cheesecake doesn't call for cream cheese.

Orange or Clementine Ricotta Cheesecake

Photo Credit:lovefoodies.com

Orange or clementine ricotta cheesecake, a lovely crustless baked dessert. Light and airy cheesecake, topped with zesty sweet homemade orange curd and fresh whipped cream.

Easy Ricotta Cake Recipe (with Cake Mix)

Photo Credit:crayonsandcravings.com

An easyItalian ricotta cakerecipe with a layer of moist butter cake and a creamy ricotta filling.

Lemon Ricotta Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Photo Credit:vikalinka.com

This lemon ricotta cake comes with light and fluffy cream cheese frosting and boasts a soft and buttery crumb and a delicate lemon flavour.The perfect treat with you afternoon tea!

Ricotta Cake with Raspberries and Lemon

Photo Credit:www.stetted.com

Moist and subtly sweet, this ricotta cake features fresh raspberries and lemon for a punch of tart flavour.

Authentic Cannoli Recipe With Ricotta Filling

Photo Credit:yourguardianchef.com

This authentic Cannoli recipe is the classic Cannoli you would buy at the best Sicilian bakeries. Crunchy shell with a sweet creamy filling made with ricotta.

Cannoli Dip (Easy 5 Ingredient Dessert Dip)

Photo Credit:littlesunnykitchen.com

Make an easy, sweet, and creamy cannoli dip in about an hour. It’s the perfect sweet dessert dip for your next party.

Cannoli Napoleon

Photo Credit:ofbatteranddough.com

This cannoli Napoleon marries two of my all-time favourite desserts, the Italian Cannoli and the French Napoleon, into one delicious pastry that is an explosion of flavour and textures.

Berry Granita with Whipped Ricotta

Photo Credit:champagne-tastes.com

This berry granita is made with fresh or frozen berries and lavender simple syrup, and is served with whipped ricotta. No ice cream maker needed!

RICOTTA CHEESE COOKIES

It’s a very popular ingredient in cookies too! Light, soft, melts-in-your-mouth.

Ricotta Cookies - A Family Favorite Italian Holiday Dessert Recipe

Photo Credit:bigflavorstinykitchen.com

This simple dessert recipe makes lots of pillowy soft, tender cookies that are sure to be a family favourite! Perfect for cookie exchanges & holiday parties.

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Photo Credit:www.mysequinedlife.com

Italian ricotta cookies are a classic cookie favourite! This soft and moist ricotta cookie recipe is flavoured with almond extract and lemon juice and zest for a bright flavour, and topped with a simple almond-flavoured glaze.

Pumpkin Ricotta Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Photo Credit:thetopmeal.com

Chewy and moist thesepumpkin ricotta cookies with chocolate chipsare not your ordinary cookies. Filled with ricotta cheese and pumpkin puree, they are a true fall treat. Ready in less than 30 minutes (without fridge time) and great with a cup of tea.

Key Lime Ricotta Cookies

Photo Credit:www.coffeewithus3.com

Key lime ricotta cookies are sweet and sour.The perfect cookie to see summer in!

Lemon Ricotta Cookies (Biscotti alla Ricotta Morbidi)

Photo Credit:www.christinascucina.com

Lemon ricotta cookies are a fabulous way to use ricotta, but you may find yourself buying ricotta simply to make more of these delectable bites of goodness!

Grapefruit Ricotta Cookies

Photo Credit:kickassbaker.com

These grapefruit ricotta cookies have just a subtle undertone of grapefruit. For those who are a bit afraid of grapefruit's intensity, tang, and bitterness, these cookies are for you.

PIES AND TARTS

You can also use ricotta cheese as an ingredient in pies and tarts.

Italian Ricotta Pie

Photo Credit:www.marcellinaincucina.com

This Italianricotta pieis an amazing ricotta dessert that is light and creamy with a delicate lemony flavour! Perfect for spring entertaining and the ideal sweetending to a traditional Italian meal!

Tomato Pie

Photo Credit:brooklynfarmgirl.com

This easy fresh recipe is baked in a pie crust and covered with cheddar and ricotta cheese. It’s tasty served warm or cold. It tastes like pizza — it’s delicious!

Easter Ham Pie

Photo Credit:www.tastesoflizzyt.com

A midwestern take on Italian easter pie, this easter ham pie is perfect for Sunday brunch. It's a great leftover ham recipe.

Plum Tart with Ricotta & Greek Yogurt

Photo Credit:www.happyfoodstube.com

This mouth-watering plum tart with ricotta and greek yogurt is the right treat for your afternoon cuppa! If you love juicy plums, then this tart is for you!

Spiral Sweet Potato Tart with Whipped Maple Ricotta

Photo Credit:www.bunsenburnerbakery.com

A baked spiral sweet potato tart with a layer of whipped maple ricotta: both delicious and beautiful enough to star at your next holiday dinner.

Spring Tart with Ricotta, Leek, Sprouting Broccoli and Courgette

Photo Credit:www.supergoldenbakes.com

This vegetable spring tart is so easy to make — vary the vegetables to whatever is in season and make sure you use quite a strong blue cheese for best flavour.

Zucchini Puff Pastry Tart with Pesto Ricotta

Photo Credit:casualfoodist.com

Ready in under 30 minutes this zucchini puff pastry tart with pesto ricotta is the perfect summer appetizer. Discover the best recipe for an easy and delicious zucchini puff pastry tart.

Ombre Heirloom Tomato Ricotta Tart

Photo Credit:lifecurrentsblog.com

An easy to make vegetarian tart that makes an impressive looking appetizer, light lunch, or brunch offering. Theombre heirloom tomato ricotta tart is like summer on a plate!

Easy to Make Ham and Ricotta Pastry Puff Pockets Recipe

Photo Credit:www.surfandsunshine.com

A more civilized version of the hot pockets we all loved as kids, these ham and ricotta puff pastry pockets are one of my go-to comfort foods.

Spinach Ricotta Puff Pastry Parcels

Photo Credit:platedcravings.com

These are so tasty they will be eaten faster than you can say puff pastry parcels! But don’t worry they are easy to make and perfect to prepare in advance.

RICOTTA CHEESE FOR BREAKFAST

Start the day with a delicious ricotta muffin, toast, pancake and more.

Chocolate Chip Ricotta Muffins

Chocolate chip ricotta muffins are the perfect excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast. Soft and tender, packed with chocolate flavour, so easy to make. Perfect for snacking, lunch boxes, picnics and potlucks too.

Lemon Ricotta Muffins Recipe (step-by-step photos)

Lemon ricotta muffins are crunchy outside, soft and tender inside. They’re light, lemony and a breeze to make. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, Easter, Mother’s Day, any day, everyday.

Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Whip up a batch of these light fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes and start the day with sunshine on a plate! Bright lemon flavour, not too sweet, soft as a cloud.

Zucchini Ricotta Pancakes

Photo Credit:bellyfull.net

Thesezucchini ricotta pancakesare light, creamy, and filling, with a hint of lemon and zucchini speckled throughout. Plus, easy! Drizzled with a little honey, they are melt-in-your-mouth incredible!

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks

Fluffy and light blueberry ricotta pancakes with a touch of lemon. This easy 30-minute recipe is perfect for a weekend breakfast or brunch.

Lemon Ricotta Flatbread Recipe

Photo Credit:peasandcrayons.com

Toasted to perfection, this garlicky lemon ricotta flatbread is fancy enough for a party appetizer but easy enough to double as a light lunch! Delicious!

Tomato Ricotta Toast

Photo Credit:www.nutmegnanny.com

Crunchy toasted whole wheat sourdough spread with creamy ricotta cheese and topped with sun-ripened tomatoes, kosher salt, and black pepper.

Whipped Ricotta Toast

Photo Credit:masalaandchai.com

Quick and easy whipped ricotta, yielding the fluffiest ricotta on Italian toast with a sprinkle of flaky salt and drizzle of olive oil. It's like biting into a cloud!

Patriotic Berry and Ricotta Toast Recipe

Photo Credit:anerdcooks.com

This berry and ricotta toast is healthy, tasty, and couldn't be simpler to throw together. Just a handful of ingredients gets you lovely little breakfast.

Ricotta French Toast

Photo Credit:www.kitchengidget.com

This ricotta french toast is topped with a generous dollop of fluffy ricotta cheese sweetened with maple syrup. Savour the hint of warmth from cinnamon and vanilla. Now you can have stuffed french toast without all the fuss!

Herbed Ricotta Waffles

Photo Credit:www.crumbblog.com

These tender, fluffy waffles are a great way to use up any leftover fresh herbs you might have kicking around in the fridge. Serve them with poached eggs for brunch, or with a saucy stew for dinner.

Spinach Ricotta Quiche

Photo Credit:www.mashupmom.com

Features fresh spinach, ricotta, and tomatoes in colourful combination.

PASTA DISHES

A list of ricotta recipes won’t be complete without pasta!

Traditional Italian Lasagna with Ricotta

Photo Credit:cookingwithmammac.com

Loaded with four kinds of cheese, plus the most flavourful meat filling! Top it withmarinaraorItalian meat sauceand prepare to swoon.

Lazy Lasagna Bake

Photo Credit:thedizzycook.com

Lazy lasagnais a deconstructed lasagna bake, made with store-bought sauce, mozzarella and ricotta cheese, and whatever pasta you have on hand. It’s easy and comforting without having to use a ton of ingredients.

Pasta With Ricotta And Tomato Sauce

Photo Credit:www.endofthefork.com

This pasta with ricotta and tomato sauce is one of our favourite pasta dishes. The sauce is rich, creamy and super comforting and comes together in just under 20 minutes.

Baked Mostaccioli con Ricotta Recipe

Photo Credit:saporitokitchen.com

Baked mostaccioli con ricotta is one of the best pasta recipes for Sunday dinner or the weeknight. This cheesy layered pasta is made with Italian sausage, red sauce and three different kinds of cheese!

Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage Rigatoni

Photo Credit:www.onehappyhousewife.com

Rigatoni pasta and savoury ground sausage are covered in a cheesy marinara sauce. It's delicious, kid-friendly, and ready in no time. The perfect pasta recipe for a busy weeknight.

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells For Two

Photo Credit:www.chocolatemoosey.com

Take some time from your busy schedule for a good home-cooked meal.

Ricotta Gnocchi Recipe

Photo Credit:anitalianinmykitchen.com

This Italian gnocchi recipe made with ricotta are easier and faster to make than potato gnocchi. Tossed with a simple butter or tomato sauce. Dinner never tasted so good!

Grandma’s Meatless Baked Ziti

Photo Credit:www.trialandeater.com

Requires only5 ingredients! Easy comfort food that you can make ahead or freeze for later. Hands down the best baked ziti recipe.

Homemade Ricotta Cavatelli

Photo Credit:thecleaneatingcouple.com

The best homemade ricotta cavatelli recipe! A delicious, authentic Italian dinner that is easy to make with only 4 ingredients.

Ground Beef Skillet Pasta with Pesto and Ricotta

Photo Credit:www.justalittlebitofbacon.com

This ground beef skillet pasta is Italian comfort food served up in 30 minutes using only one pot.

Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach and Artichoke

Photo Credit:cravingcalifornia.com

This creamy pasta is made with ricotta and parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, artichokes, lemon zest, and toasted garlic! This easy and flavourful one-pot recipe is ready in under 30 minutes!

Summer Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe

Photo Credit:www.mykitchenlove.com

Ready by the time the water is boiled, this summer fresh tomato basil pasta is filled family friendly tomatoes and creamy whipped ricotta.

OTHER SAVOURY RICOTTA RECIPES

It works so well in other savoury dishes too.

Zucchini and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Photo Credit:www.beyondthechickencoop.com

Extra zucchini in the garden? Zucchini and ricotta stuffed chicken breasts are a great way to use them up.

Stuffed Salmon Recipe With Lemon Ricotta

Photo Credit:twokooksinthekitchen.com

Lemony ricotta plays a starring role in this stuffed salmon recipe. Moist salmon with a creamy lemony filling and spicy sweet chili drizzle. Elegant comfort food with a kick.

Italian Style Ricotta Meatballs

Photo Credit:chefjar.com

These baked Italian stylericotta meatballsare tender and big on flavour! Serve them with pasta of your choice, in a sub roll or as an appetizer. They are freezer friendly and easy to make.

3 Cheese Lasagna Pizza | Grandma Pie with Ricotta, Mozzarella & Fontina

Photo Credit:pastrychefonline.com

Features a creamy ricotta layer plus pizza sauce, mozzarella and fontina cheese all on a light and airy grandma pizza.

Cheesy Meatball Sub Dip

Photo Credit:www.diprecipecreations.com

Easy appetizer recipe. All the flavour of a meatball sub in a dip. This meatball sub dip will be a hit at your next party or for game day.

Baked Ricotta Dip with Parmesan and Tomatoes

Photo Credit:www.ketocookingwins.com

Creamy and loaded with flavour, this easy peasy dip recipe is a keeper!

Maltese Pastizzi Recipe with Ricotta Filling

Photo Credit:nofrillskitchen.com

These small pastries are a staple in Maltese cuisine and are easy to make using store-bought filo dough!

Creamy Sicilian Pesto with Ricotta and Walnuts

Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks

Creamy Sicilian pesto with ricotta and walnuts has mild and delicate flavour and is perfect with pasta, sandwiches or vegetables. 10-minute easy recipe.

CROSTINI AND BRUSCHETTA APPETIZERS

Ricotta cheese is also great on crostini and bruschetta appetizers. A hit at every party!

Whipped Ricotta Cherry Crostini

Photo Credit:wearenotmartha.com

Looking for an easy but impressive summer appetizer? These whipped ricotta cherry crostini are quick and easy to prepare and will wow your guests!

Grilled Peach and Lemon Ricotta Crostini

Photo Credit:homebodyeats.com

Grilled peach and lemon ricotta crostini is an elegant, but simple appetizer! The grill infuses just the right amount of smokiness to this dish. It's an ideal dish for entertaining because it comes together so quickly and effortlessly!

Smoked Salmon Crostini with Dill Ricotta Recipe

Photo Credit:www.therusticfoodie.com

This gluten free smoked salmon crostini is an easy appetizer recipe! It's made with lemon dill ricotta spread on toasted garlic baguette.

Sun-dried Tomato Ricotta Crostini Appetizer

Photo Credit:www.platingpixels.com

A quick sun-dried tomato ricotta crostini appetizer made with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, pepper, and ricotta served over crispy crostini pieces. These little bites are packed with flavour and make a great speedy snack, light lunch or crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Fig Crostini with Ricotta and Prosciutto

Photo Credit:goodiegodmother.com

For an easy appetizer recipe highlighting fresh, seasonal flavours, look no further than this fig crostini with ricotta and prosciutto. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savoury.

Sweet Strawberry Bruschetta With Ricotta & Balsamic Glaze

Photo Credit:homemadeandyummy.com

When fresh summerstrawberries are in season, you have to take advantage of the haul.Sweet strawberry bruschettais a great way to highlight these luscious berries.

RICOTTA CHEESE SALADS

Ricotta cheese is also great on salads.

Hope you found this collection helpful. There’s just so many ways to incorporate ricotta cheese in your recipes! Enjoy!

If you have questions about storing ricotta cheese, check out the FAQs below.