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    Home » How to » Homemade Ricotta Cheese: Only 3 Ingredients!

    Homemade Ricotta Cheese: Only 3 Ingredients!

    February 8, 2019 , Updated October 3, 2021 Maria 317 Comments

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    Fresh homemade ricotta cheese made with just 3 ingredients, milk, lemon juice and salt.

    How many of you have always wanted to try to make your very own Creamy Homemade Ricotta Cheese? Well, today is the day! Are you excited? I sure am! I can’t wait to share this recipe with you!

    A spoonful of fresh homemade ricotta cheese placed on a cheese basket surrounded by lemons.
    Homemade Ricotta Cheese

    Who doesn’t like ricotta?

    Its creamy texture lends itself perfectly to sweet foods like cannoli, cheesecake or this Rice Ricotta Easter Pie.

    The taste and texture are equally appreciated in savory dishes, whether making Ricotta Cavatelli, used in Italian Stuffed Shells, or in a Tomato Ricotta Sauce.

    It is also great when making Italian appetizers. One of my favorite “quick” appetizer recipes to make with fresh ricotta is these Ricotta Stuffed Medjool Dates.

    An overhead shot of crostini topped with ricotta cheese and honey.

    In just under one hour, and with only 3 ingredients, you can be spreading some creamy ricotta on a toasted baguette with a drizzle of honey. It’s easy, economical and tastes great!

    Life doesn’t get any better than this, my friends!

    So…are you ready to begin?

    What do I need to make Homemade Ricotta Cheese?

    • Whole milk. Yes, full fat 3.25% milk.
    • Salt. Adjust to your own personal taste.
    • Lemon Juice. The acidity of the lemons will create those wonderful curds.

    As far as accessories are concerned, you need a heavy bottom saucepan with a lid, a wooden spoon, a slotted ladle, a bowl, and a strainer.

    You also need cheesecloth and a ricotta basket. The objective is not to lose any of the curds when you drain your freshly made ricotta. I reuse the plastic containers from the times that I purchase store-bought ricotta.

    How to Make Ricotta Cheese

    Begin by lining a large colander with a large piece of lightly dampened cheesecloth that has been folded over itself at least 3-4 times. Place the colander over a bowl. Make sure to use non-reactive materials. Alternatively, you can use a recycled ricotta basket. Set it aside while we begin to make the ricotta cheese from scratch.

    Whole milk being poured in a large pot in order to make ricotta cheese.

    You are now ready to combine two of the ingredients (milk and salt) in a large heavy-based saucepan.

    Please note you CANNOT make ricotta with ultra-pasteurized milk.

    Over medium heat, heat the milk to 185°F (85°C), making sure to give the mixture an occasional stir with a wooden spoon.

    A thermometer reads 185 degrees, the perfect temperature to add the lemon juice to make our fresh ricotta cheese.

    If you do not have a thermometer, heat the milk until it reaches a stage where there is a lot of steam, where little bubbles are forming close to the edge of the pot, and a slight film appears over the milk. It takes about 20 minutes to get to this stage at medium heat.

    Whole milk is in the process of being heated before the other 2 ingredients are added to make ricotta cheese.

    Making ricotta requires a source of acidity in order for the curds to form. I usually use lemon juice or white vinegar.

    The results with lemon juice can vary since it depends on the acidity of the lemon. Don’t hesitate to add an additional tablespoon or two of lemon juice if your milk does not curdle immediately.

    Do not use Meyer lemons as these are sweeter and do not have the same acidity as regular lemons.

    Lemon juice is definitely my preference when making sweet recipes using ricotta cheese. Here are some examples: Easy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Italian Sweet Ricotta Easter Pie, or even this Rice Ricotta Easter Pie. Can you tell I just love ricotta!

    I use white vinegar to make ricotta for savory dishes like pizza, lasagna, pasta, or these Spinach Calzones.

    Once the lemon juice added to the milk, the ricotta curds are slowly beginning to form.

    Reduce the heat to low and add your source of acid (I used lemon juice). You will notice that the mixture will immediately begin to curdle…continue to gently stir the mixture about for 2 minutes.

    Isn’t it amazing that in just a few minutes, you will begin to notice the formation of curds?

    An overhead shot of a ladle of ricotta cheese.

    You are well on your way!

    Carefully remove your soon-to-be creamy homemade fresh ricotta cheese from the heat. Let it stand, covered for about 20 minutes.

    The ricotta cheese is place in a cheese cloth lined colander to drain.

    Carefully ladle your ricotta into the cheesecloth-lined colander or your basket. Your bowl will be filled with a liquid, which, as you know, is whey.

    Since we are talking about whey, I would like to clarify that true ricotta is made from the leftover whey of cheese production. Hence the name “ricotta”, which literally means “recooked”.

    A close up shot of creamy ricotta cheese in a cheese basket.

    At this point, you have a decision to make. The consistency of the final product will depend on the amount of time you leave the mixture to drain.

    If using the ricotta cheese to make a cheesecake or stuffed pasta, you need a firmer consistency – therefore allow to drain for at least 20 minutes. If you are using it as a spread (for example on a baguette), 3-5 minutes is more than enough time to obtain that creamy consistency.

    As a personal preference, you can replace 1-2 cups of full-fat milk with cream. This creates even creamier ricotta.

    What will you make with this homemade ricotta recipe?

    Tips

    • Replace the lemon juice with an equal amount of white vinegar.
    • Reduce the draining time for a creamier consistency.
    • Homemade ricotta cannot be made with ultra-pasteurized milk…so, check your labels. 
    • Use fresh ricotta immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

    Can I use Meyer lemons to make homemade ricotta? 

    No, since this variety of lemons does not have the same level of acidity as regular lemons.

    What is whey? 

    Whey is the liquid that is formed following the addition of the lemon juice and after straining the curds.

    What can I make with whey?

    The leftover whey is great to use when making bread, pizza, pasta or even in soups.

    Can you freeze ricotta cheese?

    Ricotta has the potential to spoil quickly, so you do need to use it within days of making your own or opening a store-bought container.

    Although you can freeze your leftover ricotta and use it at a later date, the texture will change. More specifically, it will be crumbly when you thaw it.

    It no longer tastes quite like fresh ricotta anymore. That being said, frozen ricotta can be used in recipes where other ingredients are mixed with it in cooked or baked dishes.

    Tips on freezing ricotta

    You need to freeze ricotta in an airtight container. You can just use the original packaging that it came in; be sure the container is tightly sealed. The more air that’s left in the container, the more ice crystals form, and this will give your cheese a gritty texture.

    You can freeze ricotta for up to 3 months.

    Before you use frozen ricotta in a recipe, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then mix well before using.

    Ricotta cheese recipes we love

    Asparagus Ricotta Tart 

    Ricotta Parfait Recipe

    Ricotta Chocolate Tart

    Homemade Cheese Blintzes

    A close up shot of the creamy texture of Homemade Ricotta Cheese.

    Recipe origins

    During my youth, most Italian families made their own wine, their own sausages, cheese, prosciutto, tomato sauce, pickled vegetables, jams, jellies, pasta, bread…I could go on, but you get my point.

    Imagine my surprise when I realized not everyone had homemade soppressata hanging in their cold room!

    I realize now what a privilege it was to have been exposed to so much passion when it came to food. When I think back to my grandparents and my parents (and to a whole generation of immigrants), I am always impressed by how food helped preserve their identity.

    The philosophy is easy -enjoy and share food with family and friends.

    I hope you enjoy this ricotta in your favorite meals with your loved ones.

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    If you haven’t already joined, here is the link where you can sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. This way, you won’t miss any of my new recipes and it’s absolutely free! 

    Ciao for now,

    Maria

    ★★★★★ If you have made this Homemade Ricotta Cheese recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    Fresh homemade ricotta cheese made with just 3 ingredients, milk, lemon juice and salt.

    Homemade Ricotta Cheese

    With just 3 ingredients, you can make this creamy homemade fresh ricotta cheese. It's easy, economical and tastes great!
    4.99 from 99 votes
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    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 300kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
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    Ingredients

    • 8 cups whole milk 2 liters
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoons  lemon juice or white vinegar freshly squeezed

    Instructions

    • Line a colander with a large piece of lightly dampened cheesecloth that has been folded over itself at least 3-4 times. Place the colander over a bowl. Make sure to use non-reactive materials. (Alternatively, you can use a recycled ricotta basket placed on a bowl).
    • In a large heavy based saucepan, over medium heat, heat the milk.
    • Add the salt and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Make sure the milk does not scorch.
    • If you have a thermometer, heat to 185 F. If you do not have a thermometer, you need to reach a stage where there is a lot of steam, little bubbles close to the edge of the pot and the formation of a slight film. It should take about 20 minutes to get to this stage.
    • Lower the heat to low.
    • Add the lemon juice (or vinegar).
    • Slowly agitate the mixture for 2 minutes. You will notice the curds (the ricotta) separating from the whey (yellowish liquid).
    • Remove from heat.
    • Cover pot and let stand for about 20 minutes.
    • Carefully “ladle” your ricotta into the cheesecloth lined colander or your basket. The consistency of the final product will depend on the amount of time you leave the ricotta to drain. For a creamy ricotta, let it sit for 3-5 minutes; for a dryer ricotta, it can sit up to 20 minutes.
    • Use immediately. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Video

    Notes

    • Replace the lemon juice with an equal amount of white vinegar.
    • Reduce the draining time for a creamier consistency.
    • Homemade ricotta cannot be made with ultra-pasteurized milk...so, read your labels.
    • Use fresh ricotta immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    Can I use organic milk? In theory, yes. As long as it is not ultra-pasteurized. PLEASE NOTE that when I was testing this recipe, I attempted to make ricotta with organic milk and on 3 different occasions, it did not work for me. 
    Can I use Meyer lemons to make homemade ricotta? No, since this variety of lemons does not have the same level as acidity as regular lemons.
    What is whey? Whey is the liquid that is formed following the addition of the lemon juice and after straining the curds.
    What can I make with whey? The leftover whey is great to use when making bread, pizza, pasta or even in soups.
    Can you freeze ricotta? Yes.
    Yield is about 2 cups or 200 grams.
    Inactive time: 20 minutes
    1 serving = ½ cup
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 655mg | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 790IU | Vitamin C: 4.4mg | Calcium: 551mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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    This post was originally published on February 21, 2016 and republished on February 8, 2019 with updated content, photos and a video. Thanks for watching and sharing.

     

     

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    Filed Under: Breakfast and Brunch, How to, Vegetarian

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paul

      March 12, 2023 at 11:36 pm

      I resisted making this because I thought it would have a distinctive lemon flavor. When I finally did make it the texture and flavor were wonderful. I went on a binge, and made it a whole bunch of times.
      Thank you for the recipe.

      Paul

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 17, 2023 at 7:40 pm

        I am so thrilled to read this Paul! Thanks so much for sharing!

        Reply
    2. ariel michaels

      March 09, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      Easy..delicious..perfect thanks!

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 17, 2023 at 7:43 pm

        Thanks so much Ariel!

        Reply
    3. Susan

      February 28, 2023 at 4:54 am

      What a fabulous recipe, thank you so much Maria. I’m so happy to be able to make my own now. All that is needed is a drizzle of honey and I’m in Italy again 😋😋😋👏👏

      Reply
      • Maria

        February 28, 2023 at 5:06 pm

        My pleasure Susan! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

        Reply
    4. Nikki

      February 23, 2023 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      I just tried your recipe this afternoon and oh my I won’t be going back to store bought Ricotta! So fresh and absolutely delicious! Thank you for this great recipe!

      Reply
      • Maria

        February 28, 2023 at 5:16 pm

        My pleasure Nikki! Making homemade ricotta is such a game-changer! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    5. Christine

      February 20, 2023 at 8:40 pm

      5 stars
      Maria,

      Boy do I feel silly, I have read the notes about your lack of success using organic milk but darn I made the mistake of using it. But I did have some success and made some delicious ricotta using your recipe which yielded much less than I’d hoped, 13 ounces, perhaps because it was organic?
      Or was that the yield? I do have 1.5 quarts of whey ready to use for soup. Thank you!! So tired of paying too much for something so simple to make!
      Christine

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 20, 2023 at 6:41 pm

        I am thrilled to read that it worked for you Christine. That would be my guess as well. Yes, the whey is also great in baked goods.

        Reply
    6. Ramona

      February 07, 2023 at 3:39 pm

      5 stars
      I found your recipe and made it with no variation. The process was surprisingly easy and the ricotta turned out wonderfully. The taste is so different than what one finds in stores. I will never go back to store bought again; thank you for sharing your recipe and notes.

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 20, 2023 at 6:42 pm

        My pleasure Ramona; thanks so much for sharing.

        Reply
    7. Annie Chappell

      January 20, 2023 at 2:13 pm

      HI
      I used local whole pasteurized milk, brought it to 185 degrees in a stainless pot.
      added white wine vinegar, and nothing. Not even a hint of curd forming.
      And even a little lemon juice produced no reaction.
      Help!

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 20, 2023 at 5:52 pm

        I am so sorry the recipe did not work out for you. As mentioned in the recipe notes, I had no luck with organic and ultra-pasteurized milk. Perhaps the same thing happened to you?

        Reply
    8. Shannon

      January 12, 2023 at 10:13 pm

      Thank you so much for the recipe and your website Maria! I grew up the same way you did with all my grandparents and aunts making salami, brining olives, making homemade cheeses etc. I cannot stand the store bought ricotta because it is so different from the real deal.. IM SPOILED 😆! When I miss my family who is no longer here I come on your site and feel like I am talking and hearing stories from my family . Thank you again for doing this site and the way you do it.

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 13, 2023 at 8:38 am

        Thank you so much for your kind words Shannon ♥ You made my day!

        Reply
    9. abigail!!

      January 07, 2023 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      VERY ANNOYINGLY there is a complete ricotta shortage in my area… NO RICOTTA TO BE FOUND ANYWHERE!!! and it’s been over a week, at least! (at least that’s when i noticed, as i was craving my favorite pizza which is very and i mean VERY ricotta-heavy because i loveeee ricotta.) no ricotta in any stores. thank goodness for this delicious recipe so that i can finally make my pizza tonight! this was very fun and i feel super accomplished, plus it’s delicious. i think i’ll make it again even if ricotta comes back to our stores. 🙂 will probably try adding cream as one of the options listed for alternatives. i used lemon juice and i was very happy with that since i love lemons. thank you maria!

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 07, 2023 at 7:38 pm

        My pleasure Abigail! We are living in crazy times!

        Reply
    10. Kathleen

      January 07, 2023 at 8:45 am

      I’m wondering, if while warming the milk, if I can add lemon rind with the lemon juice?

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 20, 2023 at 5:55 pm

        Thanks for your interest Kathleen. Although I have never tried, I don’t think it would interfere with the process. I would love to hear about your results if you decide to try it out.

        Reply
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