Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese Recipe

Make incredibly creamy, fresh ricotta cheese in just 20 minutes with only 3 simple ingredients! This recipe is half the price of store-bought and boasts a delicate texture perfect for lasagna, cannoli, crostini (drizzled with olive oil or topped with fresh herbs), and more! Discover the secret to unbelievably delicious homemade ricotta, adapted from the May issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. Includes a reduced-fat version!

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Calories 600.8 kcal
Protein 61g
Rating Be the first
Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese 69

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese

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How to Make Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese

  1. Line a large strainer or colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth.
  2. Place the lined strainer over a large bowl and set aside.
  3. In a heavy-bottomed 4-quart saucepan, heat 4 cups whole milk and 1 teaspoon salt over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  4. Stir in 1/4 cup lemon juice.
  5. Remove from heat and cover immediately.
  6. Let stand for 5 minutes undisturbed.
  7. Using a slotted spoon, gently transfer the curds from the saucepan to the prepared cheesecloth-lined strainer.
  8. Allow to drain for at least 3 minutes (longer for firmer ricotta).
  9. Discard the whey (liquid) in the bowl.
  10. If not using immediately, transfer the ricotta to a clean bowl, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  11. **Reduced-fat version:** Substitute 4 cups reduced-fat milk for the whole milk and follow steps 3-10.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

65 g

Sugar

198g

Fat

90g

Carbs

16g

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese?

Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese takes about 20 minutes from start to finish — roughly 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese?

Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese has approximately 600.8 calories per serving, with about 61 g protein, 16 g carbohydrates and 48 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese?

The key ingredients for Homemade Fresh Ricotta Cheese are Whole Milk, Salt, Fresh Lime Juice. See the full list with measurements above.

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