Ina Garten’s Foolproof Homemade Ricotta Recipe You’ll Love

Ricotta made at home brings fresh, delicate flavor you can’t find in stores.

Creamy and soft, it becomes the base for countless sweet or savory dishes.

A short list of ingredients leads to amazing results.

No special equipment is needed – just time and care.

It’s a recipe that invites experimentation and creativity.

You’ll be surprised by how easy and rewarding it is to make.

The Simple Ingredients That Make Homemade Ricotta Work

• Whole Milk: Fresh, high-quality milk provides the primary protein and fat for ricotta's creamy texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the final cheese product.

• White Wine Vinegar: Helps separate milk solids from whey, creating the classic ricotta curds.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps stabilize the cheese-making process.

• Cheesecloth: Filters and drains the cheese, creating a smooth and creamy consistency.
• Stainless Steel or Enameled Pot: Provides an even heat distribution and prevents scorching during milk heating.
• Large Sieve: Allows proper drainage and helps shape the ricotta.

How to Make Homemade Ricotta That’s Silky and Light

Step 1: Gather Your Ricotta Toolkit

• Large sieve
• Deep bowl
• Cheesecloth
• Stainless-steel or enameled pot
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups

Slightly dampen two layers of cheesecloth and carefully line the sieve placed over the deep bowl.

Step 2: Create Creamy Milk Base

• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Kosher salt

Gently stir ingredients together, ensuring smooth incorporation.

Step 3: Slowly Bring Dairy to Life

Heat mixture over medium temperature, stirring occasionally. Watch for gentle bubbling and rising action. Avoid aggressive boiling that might scorch ingredients.

Step 4: Trigger Magical Curdling Process

Remove pot from heat and introduce white wine vinegar. Stir softly, allowing mixture to rest for one minute. Watch as creamy curds magically separate from liquid whey.

Step 5: Separate Luscious Cheese

Carefully pour curdled mixture into cheesecloth-lined sieve. Allow liquid to drain naturally for 20-25 minutes. For extra thick ricotta, extend draining time.

Step 6: Harvest Your Homemade Treasure

Scoop soft, pillowy ricotta into clean bowl. Discard cheesecloth and remaining whey.

Step 7: Store Your Delicate Cheese

Transfer ricotta to container with tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate and enjoy within 4-5 days for maximum freshness and flavor.

Pro Tip: Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside fresh bread, salads, or as a creamy pasta companion.

Tips to Get That Fluffy Homemade Ricotta Texture

• Choose Premium Milk: Select fresh, full-fat milk for the richest, most luxurious ricotta texture that melts in your mouth.
• Master Draining Technique: Experiment with draining time to control your ricotta's consistency – longer for thick spreads, shorter for silky dollops.
• Secure with Cheesecloth: Dampen cheesecloth before lining the sieve to catch every delicate curd and simplify your cleanup process.
• Vinegar Addition Timing: Remove the pot from heat before stirring in vinegar, allowing gentle curdling without scorching the delicate milk proteins.
• Savor Fresh Flavor: Consume your homemade ricotta within two days to enjoy its peak creamy taste and irresistible freshness.

Store Homemade Ricotta Without Losing Freshness

• Vacuum Sealing: Protect your homemade ricotta by using a vacuum sealer. Extract all air from the storage container to prevent oxidation and bacterial growth. This method extends the cheese's freshness up to 7-10 days beyond traditional storage techniques.
• Glass Container Method: Select a clean, wide-mouth glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass prevents flavor absorption and maintains the ricotta's delicate taste. Ensure the container is thoroughly sanitized before transferring the cheese to minimize potential contamination.
• Temperature Monitoring: Keep ricotta consistently chilled at 40°F or below in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Place the container toward the back, away from the door, where temperature fluctuations are minimal. Check the cheese daily for any signs of spoilage like unusual odors or mold development.

Homemade Ricotta Variations You’ll Keep Making

• Herbal Infusion Ricotta: Steep fresh rosemary or thyme in the milk mixture before adding vinegar for an aromatic herb-enhanced cheese.
• Mediterranean Blend Ricotta: Add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil during the final mixing for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Pepper Ricotta: Incorporate 1-2 finely chopped jalapeños or 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes during the draining process to create a zesty, spicy version of the classic ricotta.
• Lemon Zest Ricotta: Stir in fresh lemon zest from one whole lemon just before transferring to the storage container, giving the cheese a bright, citrusy undertone.

One Creamy Spoonful to Close the Ricotta Chapter

Homemade ricotta showcases culinary magic with Ina Garten’s simple yet elegant recipe.

Kitchen enthusiasts discover pure dairy alchemy through four ingredients and minimal effort.

Creamy, rich textures emerge from milk, cream, salt, and vinegar’s delicate dance.

Fresh ricotta elevates pasta dishes, salads, and appetizers with authentic Mediterranean charm.

Garten’s technique unlocks restaurant-quality results right at home.

Passionate cooks, savor this recipe’s delightful simplicity – share its charm, like the post, and inspire fellow food adventurers to embrace homemade magic.

Why Homemade Ricotta Deserves the Spotlight

• Create Creamy Comfort: Whip up a batch of homemade ricotta that's smoother and fresher than anything you'll find in stores, delivering pure dairy delight with minimal effort.
• Unlock Simple Sophistication: Master an impressive culinary technique that transforms basic ingredients like milk, cream, and vinegar into a luxurious cheese in just 30 minutes, making you feel like a professional chef.
• Customize Your Cheese Experience: Control the texture and freshness by adjusting draining time, ensuring your ricotta perfectly matches your desired consistency – from soft and spreadable to firm and crumbly.
• Elevate Everyday Dishes: Use this versatile homemade ricotta to instantly upgrade pastas, salads, toast, desserts, and appetizers with a rich, pure flavor that store-bought versions can't compete with.

Ina Garten Homemade Ricotta Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s homemade ricotta brings Italian culinary magic right into your kitchen with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Creamy, fresh cheese emerges from simple milk, cream, and salt, promising delightful texture and rich taste perfect for spreading on crusty bread or adding to favorite recipes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (950 ml) whole milk
• 2 cups (470 ml) heavy cream

Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt

Acid Component:

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) white wine vinegar

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Instructions

1. Position a fine-mesh strainer over a spacious, deep container, then gently moisten two layers of cheesecloth with cool water and carefully drape them inside the strainer, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Select a stainless-steel or enameled pot and combine 950 milliliters () whole milk and 475 milliliters () heavy cream, incorporating kosher salt, stirring until well integrated.
3. Apply medium heat to the milk mixture, periodically stirring to prevent scorching, and continue heating until the liquid reaches a vigorous, rolling boil.
4. Immediately remove the pot from heat source and introduce 45 milliliters () white wine vinegar, gently stirring to initiate curd formation; allow the mixture to rest for approximately 60 seconds as curds separate from whey.
5. Carefully transfer the curdled contents into the prepared cheesecloth-lined strainer, permitting liquid to drain naturally for 20-25 minutes, periodically discarding accumulated whey beneath the strainer.
6. For a denser ricotta consistency, extend the draining time, monitoring the texture until achieving desired thickness.
7. Delicately transfer the freshly crafted ricotta into a clean serving bowl, removing and discarding the cheesecloth and residual whey.
8. When planning to store, cover the ricotta with plastic wrap and refrigerate, maintaining optimal freshness for 4-5 days.

Notes

• Boost flavor by using fresh, full-fat milk for incredibly creamy ricotta that melts in your mouth.
• Customize texture by draining longer for thick spreads or briefly for silky dollops that elevate any dish.
• Prevent mess and ensure smooth straining with dampened cheesecloth, making cleanup a breeze.
• Achieve perfect curdling by adding vinegar after removing the pot from heat, creating delicate cheese clusters.
• Savor the best taste by consuming homemade ricotta within a day or two of preparation, capturing peak freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Breakfast
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Approximately ¼ cup (60 grams)
• Calories: 100 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg