25 Ricotta Recipes That Prove This Creamy Cheese Really Can Do It All

Ricotta is one of those magical ingredients that's equally delicious when used in savory dishes as it is when used in sweet dishes. It has a mild flavor that's just a bit tangy, so it's versatile enough to take on the flavors of whatever it's mixed with, making it a great base or filling. It also has a delightfully creamy texture that's not too heavy, so it's a great way to add fluffy texture to cakes, cookies and plenty of Italian desserts.

While you may think of ricotta as a key ingredient in lasagna, it's good for so much more than that. In these recipes you'll see how impressive the refrigerator staple really is. From homemade gnocchi to pancakes, ricotta can be a secret ingredient in such a wide array of recipes.

Ricotta is super spreadable, so it’s a great option for topping pitas or flatbreads. In this recipe, we’re piling ricotta, squash and honey on fresh flatbread. It’s chewy, creamy and delightfully decadent. Fresh herbs and crushed red pepper flakes add complexity to make sure it’s not too sweet.

This delicate, pillowy cookies are hard to resist. The orange zest adds vibrant, unique flavor that’s not typically found in a cookie, and we love how the gentle acidity of the citrus fruit perfectly offsets the sweetness of the cookie. Better yet, the dough freezes really easily, so you can make sure you always have some stocked away for emergencies.

When it’s not made properly, gnocchi can get overly dense. The best way to lighten it up? Ricotta! Adding a scoop of ricotta to your dough helps create light, fluffy gnocchi that’s pillowy and tender. In this recipe, we’re tossing the gnocchi with a homemade pancetta tomato sauce for an impressive dinner that’s perfect for a special occasion.

Ricotta is a great way to lighten up cakes, making them delicate rather than dense. This recipe is proof of that: it's light, airy and packed with sweet and tangy flavor. Serve it with a heap of freshly-whipped cream for a versatile treat that's great with breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Manicotti is a classic Italian dish that relies heavily on ricotta to create a creamy filling. When mixed with other cheeses like mozzarella and Parmesan it's a decadent dish that's filling and flavorful. Better yet, it's easy to prepare in advance and stash in the freezer for a rainy day.

Move over buttermilk, there's another secret ingredient that makes pancakes super fluffy and tangy: ricotta! When whisked into the pancake batter ricotta cheese makes the fluffiest, most decadent pancakes you'll ever have. In this recipe, lemon juice adds even more tangy, vibrant flavor.

Cheesecake is always decadent, but ricotta makes it even more luscious. In this recipe we combine both cream cheese and ricotta for a creamy dessert that’s easy and impressive. Limoncello and lemon zest add the perfect amount of bright, zesty flavor.

Ricotta bridges the gap between sweet and savory in this fun toast recipe. It's a great base layer for the blueberries, lemon and basil while adding tangy flavor to every bite. This little snack is perfect for a brunch or light lunch that can be served alongside a crisp salad, or as a fun, unique addition to a cheese plate.

Ricotta is soft, creamy and easy to spread, which makes it a great topping for homemade pizza. We’re topping this white pizza off with tender squash that’s shaved into delicate strands. Each piece melts in your mouth as you take a bite, and arugula adds peppery flavor on top.

When it comes to weeknight dinners, it doesn't get easier than one pot meals. They're quick, easy and leave limit dishes behind. In this recipe, we're combining lemon zest with ricotta cheese, scallions and Parmesan for an easy dinner that can be ready in just 25 minutes.

Stuffed shells is one of those hearty meals that is good for so many things. Easy to prep in advance and freeze; you can pull it out for a weeknight dinner, take it to a friend's potluck party, or warm it up the night before a big holiday when you don't feel like cooking another thing. It's easy, filling and a total crowd pleaser.

This cake is anything but dry and flaky — thanks to the addition of ricotta and sour cream. The ricotta keeps it moist, while the blueberry and lemon zest give it extra flavor. A sprinkling of confectioner’s sugar adds extra sweetness.

Ricotta gnudi is so delicious, you don’t need to cover it in a crazy sauce. Sometimes, a simple browned butter sauce is all you need. This recipe is a fantastic one to learn and keep in your backpocket for the next time you want to impress someone with a light, fluffy dinner.

If you're looking for a quick and easy appetizer that's perfect for a dinner party, these eggplant bites are just the thing. They're like a fun twist on Eggplant Parmesan that takes inspiration from bruschetta: each bite is crispy, creamy and delighfully juicy.

If you love creamy pasta, you know how quickly ricotta can transform a dish. It adds creamy texture that’s fairly neutral in flavor, so it takes on the flavors of whatever it’s added to. In this recipe, the bold flavors come from garlic, lemon juice, basil and Parmesan.

Ricotta is one of those wonderful ingredients that can add decadence to both sweet and savory recipes alike. In this bruschetta recipe, we’re slathering a piece of crostini with ricotta, then topping it off with diced strawberries, fresh mint and flaky sea salt. It’s the perfect match between sweet, salty, creamy and acidic.

If you're swimming in fresh tomatoes come midsummer, you'll need a fun way to use them up. We love this recipe that puts the flavor of fresh heirioom tomatoes on full display. It's packed with fresh herbs, tasty olive oil and flaky fleur de sel. Better yet, it can be ready in just 15 minutes.

This fun recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory, creamy and tangy. Strawberries and cream is a classic dessert, but the addition of balsamic vinegar and ricotta cheese balances out the sweetness with tanginess. Fresh basil adds herbal flavor.

This creamy pasta pairs the bright flavor of lemon with the peppery notes of arugula. It’s a light, balanced pasta dish that makes a lovely lunch or light dinner. The best part? It takes just 20 minutes from start to finish.

Mushrooms are packed with umami flavor and dense, crispy texture, so ricotta adds a fluffy, light base to these little toasts. It’s a fun and simple appetizer that takes just 15 minutes to whip up. Marjoram adds herbal flavor, and arugula adds a peppery bite.

For a hearty meatless meal, try these ricotta dumplings. Pillowy and tender, they're packed with spinach for extra nutrients and coated in bright tomato sauce. A sprinkling of Parmesan cheese makes them even more decadent.

This is one of the easiest finger foods you'll ever make: four ingredients and ten minutes are all you need to whip it up. Simply slice figs in half, top with a scoop of ricotta and drizzle with honey and chopped pistachios. It's sweet, salty, chewy and creamy all at the same time.

Making your own ricotta at home is so easy and oh-so-satisfying. All you need is a few household ingredients — like salt, heavy cream, whole milk and white vinegar. The mixture simmers gently until curds form, then simply strain out the excess moisture through a cheesecloth. The whole process takes about 30 minutes, and before you know it you've got fresh, tangy ricotta at home.

Crostinis are perfect for a party, and we love mixing and matching sweet and savory flavors to balance out every bite. This version uses roasted grapes dotted on top of creamy, tangy ricotta cheese. Roasting the grapes helps bring out a caramelized sweetness that oozes through in every bite.