Use It Up! 11 Recipes for Leftover Ricotta (2025)

FAQs

Can you freeze ricotta cheese in its original container? ›

If the container is unopened (and unexpired) you can freeze it in the plastic container that you generally find store-bought ricotta in.

Freezing ricotta cheese can be hit or miss, but generally, you can freeze ricotta cheese safely for up to two months, sometimes even three if you're lucky. In comparison, store-bought ricotta lasts one to two weeks when stored in the fridge, while homemade ricotta only lasts about two days.

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.

Ricotta salata is also a perfect accompaniment to meat-based pasta sauces, fresh salads, and roasted vegetables; even though the outside looks hard, the inside is still creamy enough to mix very well with warm dishes. It's saltier and nuttier than Pecorino and Parmigiano Reggiano, so use in moderation.

We recommend not freezing soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese and ricotta, due to their high moisture content. Other soft cheeses, such as brie and camembert, also do not freeze well and should be served fresh.

Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta or Brie can be refrigerated one week but they don't freeze well. Hard cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss and Parmesan can be stored in the refrigerator six months before opening the package and three to four weeks after opening. It can also be frozen six months.

Compared to most cheeses, ricotta is a healthier choice because it contains less salt and fat - 10 per cent fat, of which 6 per cent is saturated. It's light and creamy with a slightly grainy texture and delicate flavour that can be used on its own or in sweet and savoury dishes.

Transfer the remaining ricotta cheese to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place the container or wrapped cheese in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). Consume the ricotta cheese within the recommended time frame specified on the package or within five to seven days after opening.

When it comes to the creamy and cheesy layer, ricotta, cottage cheese, and béchamel fillings can all be frozen, although béchamel varieties tend to weather the freezing process a bit better. Both meat and vegetable lasagnas can be frozen, but be sure to fully cook any meat before assembling and freezing.

Mold on ricotta can be green, blue, or soft pink. If the ricotta has also turned a yellowish color (instead of its regular creamy white), it's another sign of spoilage. You can also apply the sniff test to ricotta. Ricotta that's fine to eat will either have no odor at all, or it might have a regular milky smell.

What to do with a little bit of ricotta? ›

You can smear ricotta on toast and then top it with almost anything for an easy meal. Try it with corn and scallions, or pesto and tomatoes, or a fried egg. You can also eat it for dessert: top with strawberries and honey or banana and nutella.

Ricotta and cottage cheese also differ in texture and flavor: Ricotta is smoother and slightly sweeter, while cottage cheese has a lumpier consistency and tangier flavor. Read on for more on how these dairy-aisle staples differ.

One key detail to keep in mind is whether the package of ricotta cheese has been opened or not. Unopened ricotta will last about two weeks in the fridge, while opened ricotta will last just a week. As for the freezer, you can store ricotta for up to three months.

So, while ricotta cheese doesn't melt in the traditional sense, it can still add a delightful creaminess to your favorite dishes.

If the cheese doesn't look or smell like it did when you first opened it, your best course of action is to throw it out.

Opened ricotta generally lasts for about one week in proper storage conditions. To be on the safe side, give it the sniff test.