A quick and easy 4-ingredient dip that can be made either sweet or savory. Enjoy this easy whipped ricotta with zesty garlic toast, a baguette, or even as a dip with crudité! Bring this to your next get together and it’ll be the star of the gathering!
We’ve entered August here in Miami and let’s just say (without complaining) it’s hot, humid, and not likely the oven will be turned on in the immediate future. In July I did my summer salad series: Strawberry Spinach Salad, Summer Fruit Salad, ‘Italian’ Pasta Salad, and Tuna Pasta Salad. If I could eat salads all day I would. Endless combinations that aren’t just leafy greens! My next series is ‘don’t turn on the oven’ and the first recipe is an easy dip/spread that can be both sweet and/or savory. Easy whipped ricotta.
Normally I’m making everything homemade, however, time recently hasn’t been my friend. Enter store bought ricotta for this recipe. However, homemade tastes even more decadent. There will be a report once I’ve done so! In Italian ‘ricotta’ means ‘recooked’ and is actually a by-product of making mozzarella. As mozzarella is being made, the leftover whey is ‘cooked again’ transforming into ricotta cheese. Ricotta tastes rich and creamy and in this whipped version, even more light and airy than ever. Use a hand mixer or a food processor to whip this dip up in as little as 5 minutes. The effort is worth it, as no oven was used in the making of this recipe.
Ingredients: Easy Whipped Ricotta
- Whole-Milk Ricotta: is the star of the recipe. Other cheeses can also be whipped, however, today we’re featuring whipped ricotta. Quick, versatile, and affordable. Not to mention, it can even be made homemade.
- Olive Oil: One tablespoon is mixed in with the ricotta and more is drizzled on top. Adding olive oil helps give the ricotta a light, fluffy texture.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice helps thin the ricotta out and also add some acidity. If you want a more pronounced lemon flavor, add lemon zest as well.
- Black Pepper: Measure and add the black/white pepper in your hand first so you know how much is going in to avoid adding too much.
- Salt: If you’re watching your sodium, don’t add any, and if you need just a tad, add a pinch.
- Honey: Optional, but also can be drizzled on top if serving on a baguette which you’ll see next week.
- Herbs: great for adding more flavor to the whipped ricotta.
How To Make Easy Whipped Ricotta
- Place the ricotta, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and zest (if adding), and white pepper in a food processor.
- Whip until light and smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Set a timer for one minute and check on it. Add the additional minute after scraping down the sides.
- Transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with one more tablespoon of olive oil and any fresh herbs. Enjoy!
Expert Tips & Tricks
- For best results, use room temperature ricotta cheese. This allows for the cheese to whip up easily!
- Depending on the ricotta cheese used, you might need to add a little more olive oil and/or lemon juice to allow for a smoother texture. Start with less and add more if needed.
- To ensure the lemon flavor stands out, add the lemon zest along with the lemon juice. However, if you want a more subtle lemon flavor (depending on how you’re using the whipped ricotta) leave the lemon zest out.
- For a sweet whipped ricotta, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a small addition of powdered sugar will do the trick. Holy cannoli!
Yes! Whipped feta is another great alternative. If using feta cheese, more liquid will be required, so this is not an interchangeable recipe. And if using cottage cheese, simply whip the cottage cheese a little longer to ensure no curds are left and it’s super smooth.
YES! Fat provides flavor and fullness and here I opted for the whole-milk version for this reason. However, if you are watching saturated fat, as I always suggest, pay attention to your saturated fat intake for the day and not with any one food.
Fresh herbs add a pop of flavor. Other additions: sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, or even roasted garlic. For a sweet ricotta, add cinnamon, a splash of vanilla extract, and a tablespoon of powdered sugar.
The food processor is the one *extra* appliance I encourage people to purchase. However, if you don’t have one this dip/recipe could be made with a hand mixer and/or whipped by hand.
How To Serve Whipped Ricotta
My favorite way to served whipped ricotta is as a toast/crostini topper, as it makes for a great combo of complex carbs and protein! However, whipped ricotta is also equally delicious served as a dip. An easy appetizer, that’s so simple, you’ll want to make it again and again!
- Whipped Ricotta Toast. The combinations are endless here. The idea here is to get creative! Serve with crusty bread or a simple piece of toasted bread. Add any fruit and/or veggie you like, i.e., sliced tomato, pickled veggies, sliced peaches.
- Add to a grain bowl for some extra protein and creaminess. Use a small dollop (spoonful) and see if you like it.
- Serve with roasted vegetables. Spread the whipped ricotta on a serving platter and top with these roasted carrots (simply leave the goat cheese out).
- Add to eggs. Whether you’re scrambling an egg or making an omelet, this whipped ricotta will add more depth and creaminess.
No Oven Recipes
Print
Easy Whipped Ricotta
A quick and easy 4-ingredient dip that can be made either sweet or savory. Enjoy this easy whipped ricotta with zesty garlic toast, a baguette, or even as a dip with crudité! Bring this to your next get together and it’ll be the star of the gathering!
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Ingredients
- 1–15-ounce container ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, use zest as well for stronger lemon flavor
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh mixed herbs, such as thyme, basil, dill, or parsley
- Honey, *optional*, depends how you’re serving the whipped ricotta
- For serving: crostini, crackers, crudité, or fresh fruit
Instructions
- Place the ricotta, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and zest (if adding), and white pepper in a food processor.
- Whip until light and smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Set a timer for one minute and check on it. Add the additional minute after scraping down the sides.
- Transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with one more tablespoon of olive oil and any fresh herbs. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Snacks
1 thought on “Easy Whipped Ricotta”
Love how it can go either sweet or savory! Can’t wait to make!