Homemade ricotta cheese is so creamy and so flavorful! It’s much easier than you might expect and so much tastier than the store-bought version! The use of whole milk in this cheese recipe ensures a rich and buttery consistency and higher yield.
Remember during the pandemic when everyone and their mother was making homemade ricotta cheese? Well, I do! I joined in on the trend in 2020, and I don’t regret it one bit. I learned how to make homemade paneer and homemade ricotta; both types of cheeses involve a similar method, one that is more straightforward than you might expect.
I know it seems intimidating to make cheese from scratch, but trust me, it’s very doable.
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What are the benefits of making ricotta from scratch?
Homemade ricotta is so much creamier and flavorful than the store-bought version. The other benefit of making it at home is that you can control the consistency when you strain the cheese. The longer you strain the cheese, the drier it becomes.
How to use whole milk ricotta cheese
So here’s another benefit. Having control over this process means that you can prepare ricotta for a number of applications requiring different consistencies, such as ravioli fillings, lasagna, or cheesecake.
Or, you can make some whipped ricotta on toast with little bit of honey and salt! And my favorite way? Creamy, light and fluffy ricotta gnocchi. Literally the most luxurious and comforting bite. So. Good.
Because the homemade version is so special, it’s also a great gift. Drop off a container off this stuff with a jar of jam or garlic confit, and your friends and family will be rewarded for the week.
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The history of ricotta cheese
The word ricotta literally translates to “re-cooked”, referring to the fact that the cheese is made from recooking the leftover whey of other cheeses. At this point, you may be thinking, wait a minute, if ricotta is supposed to made from whey, then how is this a ricotta cheese recipe?
Fair point. Technically, ricotta produced in the modern age is made from leftover whey. But, for obvious reasons, leftover whey can be hard to come by, and so this method is a bit of a “cheat.” Regardless, it’s still very delicious!
Interestingly enough, I did some research into the history of cheesemaking, and it turns out that Italians have been making ricotta-like cheese since the bronze age! Back then, they cooked the milk in specialized milk boilers designed to prevent milk from spilling over at high temperatures. And actually, it’s very likely that the milk they used was whole milk. The use of whey to make ricotta came much later, as a way to use up the leftovers from making other cheeses.
Whey-based ricotta vs. milk-based ricotta
Leftover whey often sits out for several hours up to a day and naturally ferments. When the fermented whey is heated, the combination of acidified whey plus heat naturally curdles the liquid. The whey then separates into liquid and solid curds, and the curds are strained to yield ricotta. In Italy, ricotta is made from lots of different animal milks, from sheep’s and cow’s milk to goat’s milk to water buffalo’s milk. Fresh ricotta has a short shelf-life; other forms of the cheese, such as ricotta salata, is pressed and salted and has a firm, gratable consistency.
The most common method for making milk-based ricotta (and the one I’m using here today) is somewhat similar to the whey-based method. You’ll heat milk and a bit of salt in a pot until it just begins to hit a bare simmer. Since a regular old store-bought milk itself is not acidic enough on its own to curdle, you’ll add in lemon juice or vinegar to do the job. As the milk begins to curdle, you’ll turn off the heat to let it form curds. Strain the solids, and you’re done! The leftover liquid, or the whey, can be discarded or saved for other uses.
Ingredients
What kind of milk do I need?
Okay, the milk you use here is super important! Here’s what you need to know:
- Do not use ultra-pasteurized milk. Ultra-pasteurized milk has been heated to a high enough temperature to denature some of the milk proteins, meaning the milk will not coagulate properly. Regular pasteurized milk is totally fine, as is homogenized or non-homogenized milk.
- Whole milk is recommended. You can make ricotta with 2% milk (for a slightly less creamy texture), but anything lower and you will have a poor yield.
- “Older” milk will curdle more easily. Milk that is closer to its expiration date is more likely to curdle.
I’ve gotten wonderful yields from using Whole Foods Organic Whole Milk (not an ad, just wanted to share what’s worked for me!) and milk from local farms (I like High Lawn Farms).
What kind of acid can I use?
Both lemon juice and white distilled vinegar are very commonly used in cheesemaking. You can use whatever you prefer (or whatever you have at home), but keep in mind the following differences:
- Usually, though not always, white distilled vinegar is slightly more acidic than lemon juice. This means that you might not need to use as much vinegar as lemon juice to curdle the milk.
- Lemon juice has a stronger, well, lemony flavor. Vinegar is more neutral. Depending on the use case, it might be nice to have additional notes of citrus. But if you prefer, just use vinegar.
No matter what acid you seek to use, you’re really looking for the optimal texture and flavor. Ideally, you use the least amount of acid to produce curds and limit any impact on flavor. But there’s a balance here — too little acid, and you may not produce enough curds. The good news is that you can always add more if it’s not enough!
Other ingredients in homemade ricotta
In addition to milk and an acid, I also like to add a bit of heavy cream for richness (you’ll want to avoid ultra-pasteurized here too) and moisture. Other than that, a little bit of salt is all you need.
Recommended equipment
While this recipe can be made with any special equipment, certain tools can make the process a whole lot easier.
Cooking thermometer
A cooking thermometer, such as a candy thermometer or a deep-frying thermometer, is infinitely helpful here.
We’re looking to heat the milk to a temperature roughly around 185°F (85°C). At that temperature, the proteins in the milk re-structure in a way that results in curds with a more viscous, thickened texture. I’ve found that 185°F (85°C) to 190°F (88°C) is a good sweet spot, where you’ll have a good yield of creamy, fluffy ricotta. If you end up a little above or below (195F or 180F), that’s okay too. Where you start to affect things is when you’re significant above or below that 185°F (85°C) mark. For example, 165F will lead to less yield and a much milkier result. The higher the temperature, the drier and granier the curds.
Cheesecloth
Once the acid has curdled the milk, you’re ready to collect the ricotta and drain it. Here, I layer a cheesecloth on a strainer laid over a pot to separate curds from the whey. Don’t have a cheesecloth? You can use a very thin (see-through) t-shirt. I like to use a slotted spoon to scoop out the curds and spoon them into the cheesecloth.
How to make whole milk ricotta cheese
Okay, now that we’ve got all those details out of the way, I think you’re ready to make ricotta! Here’s what the process looks like:
- Heat the milk and cream over medium-high heat. Insert a thermometer into the pot.
- Stir the milk, occasionally, to prevent any scorching on the sides. Once the milk reaches 185°F (85°C) to 190°F (88°C), continue heating the milk, keeping it around that temperature for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. This ensures that the whole mixture is definitively at the right temperature for optimal curdling. You can reduce the heat slightly, as needed, to keep it at that temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, what you’re looking for is a very bare simmer, or small bubbles on top with foam on the sides and a good amount of steam.
- Add the acid to curdle the milk. While stirring, slowly pour in the vinegar or lemon juice until milk begins to curdle and separate. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the curds to fully separate. You should see a yellow-ish whey and soft white curds. If you don’t see curd separation (or it still looks quite milky), you can add a bit more acid, and heat the milk again just until you see more curd separation.
- Set up your straining station. Meanwhile, place a cheesecloth over a strainer laid on top of a bowl.
- Scoop the curds. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the curds into the cheesecloth – try to drain as much liquid as possible before scooping.
- Drain the ricotta. Drain the ricotta to your desired consistency, then transfer to a container. Let cool completely before using.
Storage Instructions
Store ricotta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
FAQ
Technically, yes. You can store it in an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months. However, I don’t recommend it because the thawing process can significantly impact the texture of the cheese.
I have a great recipe for whipped ricotta; it’s super easy and comes together in just a few minutes.
Don’t feel like you need to discard the whey. You can use it in place of water in many cases! Add the whey to smoothies or use it in place of water for cooking rice, grains, or potatoes.
Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- Large, heavy-bottomed pot (a dutch oven or stock pot works well here)
- Cooking thermometer
- Cheesecloth or thin t-shirt
- Fine mesh sieve or strainer
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk, avoid ultra-pasteurized as it can prevent curds from forming
- 1 cup heavy cream, avoid ultra-pasteurized as it can prevent curds from forming
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar or lemon juice, plus more if needed
Instructions
- Set a large, heavy-bottomed pot with the milk, cream, and salt to medium-high heat. Insert a cooking thermometer inside the pot to monitor the temperature.
- Heat the milk until it begins to steam with a very minimal simmer, about 185 °F to 190 °F; stir occasionally to prevent any scorching. You should see large amounts of small bubbles and foam over the surface of the milk. Depending on the type of burner you have, this could take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.
- Maintain the heat between 185 °F to 190 °F for 3 to 5 minutes, and continue stirring. This helps ensure that the whole mixture is at the right temperature. If needed, lower the heat to maintain that temperature.
- While stirring, slowly pour in the vinegar or lemon juice until the mixture begins to curdle. You should see white clumps begin to form, with some more translucent liquid, or the whey, in the background. Immediately stop stirring, and remove from the heat.
- Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, as you watch the mixture continue to separate.
- If you don't see any separation after 10 minutes (or the mixture still looks very milky), you can add another tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to the pot, and set it to medium heat. As the mixture heats, it should begin to curdle more. Remove from the heat once it curdles, then wait for another 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
- Meanwhile, set a fine mesh sieve or strainer over a large pot. Line the strainer with two layers of cheesecloth.
- Use a slotted spoon to scoop the solid curds from the pot into the cheesecloth (do not pour the mixture into the cheesecloth, as it will be much slower to drain).
- Let the ricotta drain in the cheesecloth to desired consistency, then transfer to an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. The leftover liquid, or the whey, can be discarded or saved for future use.
Notes
- Don’t have a cheesecloth? You can also use a thin, clean t-shirt.
- Lemon juice vs. Vinegar: White distilled vinegar can be slightly more acidic than lemon juice. Lemon juice has a stronger, well, lemony flavor. Vinegar is more neutral. Depending on the use case, it might be nice to have additional notes of citrus. But if you prefer, just use vinegar.
- Do not use ultra-pasteurized milk. Ultra-pasteurized milk has been heated to a high enough temperature to denature some of the milk proteins, meaning the milk will not coagulate properly. Regular pasteurized milk is totally fine, as is homogenized or non-homogenized milk.
- Whole milk is recommended. You can make ricotta with 2% milk (for a slightly less creamy texture), but anything lower and you will have a poor yield.
- A cooking thermometer is highly recommended to maintain an optimal temperature. I’ve found that 185°F (85°C) to 190°F (88°C) is a good sweet spot, where you’ll have a good yield of creamy, fluffy ricotta. If you end up a little above or below (195F or 180F), that’s okay too. Where you start to affect things is when you’re significant above or below that 185°F (85°C) mark.
- Leftover whey can be used in smoothies. You can also use it in place of water in many cases, such as cooking rice or other grains and potatoes.
