How To Make Smooth And Creamy Whipped Ricotta

Ricotta cheese is an Italian classic nobody can resist. Hailing from Sicily and dating back to the ninth century, ricotta can be made from any type of milk, including water buffalo milk — the type used to produce mozzarella. This soft and creamy cheese, cherished for its mild taste and low salt content, finds its way into countless recipes. Whether it's a lemon ricotta pasta with spinach or a plate of fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes, it fits everywhere.

But if it's the last day you can still eat ricotta cheese after opening it, and you don't want to see it go to waste, why not get a bit creative with it and whip it into a light and creamy treat instead? You'd be amazed how whipped ricotta is the game-changer you didn't even know you needed. It will add a smooth and silky touch to your dishes, and the best part is it only requires a handful of ingredients to prepare. Combine it together with some heavy whipping cream, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and you'll get an elegant appetizer that will undoubtedly impress your guests.

Since the devil's in the details, it's crucial to blend the ingredients well. Whipped ricotta does take only 10 minutes to make, but it's all about texture. So for the creamiest and smoothest results, go ahead and grab that blender or stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Just don't add everything at once. Whipping the heavy cream first is a great place to start, though. Then once you've also whipped the other ingredients together, the next step is to carefully combine them with the whipped cream, before bringing in the stand mixer for one final mix. Here you can also spice things up a bit by adding some extras, including some fresh herbs, lemon zest, or a couple of Parmesan shavings, depending on how you want to use your whipped ricotta.

Whipped ricotta is very versatile. If you prefer to keep things simple, you can always serve it as a dip or a spread, and maybe top it with a bit of honey before garnishing it with roasted pistachios. If you're in the mood to experiment, however, don't hesitate to prepare some delicious whipped ricotta crostini; here's how to repurpose leftover steak for easy crostini appetizers that you can spread with the whipped cheese dip.

But of course, it doesn't stop there. Whipped ricotta also makes a great creamy base for different pasta recipes. Whether you'll sauté some mushrooms in butter and mix them with whipped ricotta for a creamy mushroom ricotta pasta, or stir it into a cherry tomato pasta sauce for a richer flavor, the choice is yours. 

Sometimes, it can even go beneath the pasta on your plate. Spread it on the bottom, add your pasta on top, and watch how every bite gets evenly coated in it. If none of these are to your taste, adding whipped ricotta to your cheese board alongside your favorite cheeses and deli meats is always a great choice.