Homemade Ricotta Cheese / How To Make Ricotta Cheese

Have you ever wanted to try making Homemade Ricotta Cheese? Well, you should give it a try to make this creamy, soft, fresh, and delicious ricotta cheese at home. The process of making homemade ricotta cheese is quick, easy, and straightforward.

Jump to:

• What is Ricotta Cheese
• About Homemade Ricotta Cheese
• Ingredients
• How To Make Ricotta Cheese
• Ricotta Cheese Recipes
• Ricotta Cheese vs. Paneer
• Helpful Tips
• More Homemade Recipes
• Recipe Card

What is Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta is white, soft, and creamy curd cheese. This cheese is moist and slightly on the sweeter side. The best thing about this cheese is that it is versatile and amazingly blends in savory and sweet recipes. Or it is equally delicious to have it just as a spread on the toast or crackers. 

About Homemade Ricotta Cheese

The procedure of making ricotta is almost similar to making Paneer or Chhena. There are only a few things that need to be done differently while making ricotta.

I, most of the time, make Paneer and Chhena at home. It is an effortless and straightforward procedure, and the same goes for homemade ricotta cheese. Making cheese curd at home gives immense joy and satisfaction.

If you never tried making ricotta at home, you should give it a try. Freshly made ricotta is soft and light as a cloud, moist and creamy. There are tons of recipes from savory to sweet, where you can use ricotta cheese. And homemade cheese definitely elevates the flavor of the recipe.

My favorite ways of using homemade ricotta cheese are making Peda (Indian sweet), lasagna, cheesecake, and making a spread with some seasonings.

Once you know how to make ricotta cheese at home and how easy it is, I am sure you will make it often.

Ingredients

It requires only four ingredients to make ricotta cheese. And if you choose not to add cream, there will be only three ingredients. 

1. Milk: Using whole milk or full-fat milk is essential for the creamy texture of ricotta cheese. I have made the ricotta cheese with cow’s milk, but other dairy milk can also be used.
2. Cream: Cream makes the cheese soft, delicate, and creamy. I have used 35% cream, and I will recommend the same. However, to keep the cheese low-calorie, you can only use whole milk. So skip the cream if you want, and take ½ cup of whole milk more.
3. Salt: I have added ¼ teaspoon of salt, as I was going to make Indian sweet. But you can add more salt if using for spread or savory diish.
4. White Vinegar: I always prefer white vinegar over lemon juice for making paneer or ricotta cheese. But you can use ¼ cup of lemon juice instead of vinegar. However, do not use lime juice as it is stronger in flavor.

How To Make Ricotta Cheese

Preparations

• Place a strainer on the top of a large bowl.
• Then line the strainer with a muslin cloth or two to three layers of cheesecloth.
• Set it aside.

Making Homemade Ricotta Cheese

• Combine milk, cream, and salt in a large pot.
• Heat the mixture on medium heat.
• If you do not want to add cream, take ½ cup of whole milk more.

• Stir the mixture frequently and heat until it comes to a boil. 
• You can also use the temperature method and heat the mixture to 185°F.

• As soon as the mixture starts boiling, turn off the heat and remove the pot.
• Add vinegar and stir gently only a few times so that vinegar mixes well and whey separates.

• Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes.
• Let it sit undisturbed.

• After 30 minutes, gently spoon the ricotta into the prepared strainer.
• Let it drain undisturbed for 20-30 minutes. 
• However, drain it only for 5-10 minutes if you want very soft and moist cheese. In contrast, if you want a firmer cheese, drain it for a little bit longer.

• Once the ricotta cheese is drained, stir it lightly and store it in an airtight container.

• Use this homemade cheese right away, or refrigerate it until it is ready to use. 

Ricotta Cheese Recipes

There are many recipes from savory to sweet that can be made with homemade ricotta cheese. I have given some examples, but really you can use it as you fancy it.

• Top the ricotta cheese on your favorite pasta. 
• Use it for stuffed pasta and lasagna.
• Season the ricotta cheese with your choice of herbs and spices. And then spread it on the toast or crackers.
• Use this creamy cheese to make Cheesecakes 
• We can make Indian sweets like Peda and Sandesh

Ricotta Cheese vs. Paneer

The process of making ricotta cheese and paneer is almost the same. However, there are a few different steps in the making, and that makes them distinguished. Paneer is firmer in comparison to ricotta cheese. Also, ricotta cheese is slightly on the sweeter side, and paneer is more neutral. While paneer is more compact in texture, ricotta is softer and moist.

Helpful Tips

• Do not use ultra-pasteurized milk to make homemade ricotta cheese, so make sure to check your milk label.
• You can skip the cream if you want and add ½ cup of whole milk more.
• For the soft consistency, reduce the draining time of ricotta cheese. 
• Use the freshly made ricotta immediately or cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• After adding vinegar, make sure to stir the mixture gently and only a few times.
• You can use lemon juice instead of white vinegar if you prefer. However, do not use lime juice.

More Homemade Recipes

You May Like More Homemade Recipes

• Homemade Vanilla Pudding Recipe (Eggless)
• Homemade Marinara Sauce
• Punjabi Garam Masala Powder / Homemade Punjabi Garam Masala
• Homemade Granola Recipe (Healthy and Delicious)
• Homemade Curry Powder / How To Make Curry Powder

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