Whip Up Ina Garten’s Dreamy Homemade Ricotta Recipe Today

Creamy, luxurious Ina Garten homemade ricotta sits at the heart of culinary magic that turns simple ingredients into pure delight.

Soft and velvety, this homemade cheese brings restaurant-quality elegance to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Fresh milk, a splash of cream, and a hint of acid work together to create something extraordinary.

Professional chefs like Ina Garten have long understood the transformative power of crafting cheese from scratch.

Each dollop promises a rich, silky texture that store-bought versions can never match.

The process is surprisingly straightforward, requiring just a few basic tools and ingredients.

Dive into this recipe and unlock the secret to restaurant-worthy ricotta that will impress even the most discerning food lovers.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 530 kcal

Servings: 2

Ingredients Checklist for Ina Garten Homemade Ricotta

• Whole Milk: Provides rich, creamy foundation for authentic ricotta with smooth texture and deep dairy flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and silky mouthfeel, enhancing overall creaminess of the cheese.
• Kosher Salt: Elevates and balances the mild dairy taste, ensuring depth of flavor in the final product.

• White Wine Vinegar: Triggers protein separation, creating signature ricotta texture with tangy undertone and precise cheese formation.

• Cheesecloth: Allows precise liquid drainage while capturing delicate cheese curds with professional cheesemaking technique.
• Large Sieve: Provides structured support during draining process, ensuring clean separation of solids and liquids.
• Deep Bowl: Catches whey liquid during straining, maintaining clean workspace and collecting potential leftover ingredients.

Tools to Prepare Ina Garten Homemade Ricotta

• Large sieve: Essential for separating curds from whey, ensures smooth ricotta making.
• Deep bowl: Catches liquid while draining, provides stability during the process.
• Cheesecloth: Crucial for straining and shaping the ricotta, creates a clean texture.
• Stainless-steel or enameled pot: Perfect for even heat distribution when warming milk and cream.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure milk, cream, and vinegar for consistent results.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring mixture and preventing scorching.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures precise salt and vinegar quantities.

Steps to Create Ina Garten Homemade Ricotta

• Kitchen Prep

Gather essential tools like a large sieve, deep bowl, and cheesecloth. Clean and organize your workspace for a smooth cooking experience.

• Milk Mixture

Select high-quality whole milk and heavy cream. Combine ingredients in a stainless-steel pot, creating a rich base for creamy ricotta.

• Heating Process

Slowly warm the liquid over medium heat, gently stirring to prevent scorching. Watch for a gentle, rolling boil that signals perfect temperature.

• Curdling Magic

Remove pot from heat and introduce white wine vinegar. Allow the mixture to rest, watching magical separation between curds and whey.

• Draining Stage

Transfer the mixture into cheesecloth-lined sieve. Let liquid drain naturally, creating a soft, pillowy cheese texture. Patience transforms liquid into delightful ricotta.

• Finishing Touch

Carefully transfer fresh ricotta into a clean container. Taste and enjoy immediately or store for later culinary adventures.

• Storage Wisdom

Refrigerate in an airtight container. Homemade ricotta remains fresh for several days, ready to elevate your favorite dishes.

Pro Tips & Ideas for Ina Garten Homemade Ricotta

• Adjust draining time to achieve desired consistency – shorter for creamy, longer for firmer ricotta.
• Experiment with different vinegars like apple cider or champagne to create unique taste profiles.
• Try goat or sheep milk for a richer, more distinctive ricotta with complex flavor notes.
• Always use clean utensils when handling ricotta to extend its refrigerator life and maintain freshness.

How to Serve Ina Garten Homemade Ricotta

• Serve Alongside Fresh Bread: Spread the creamy homemade ricotta on crusty artisan bread for a delightful appetizer or light lunch.
• Elevate Pasta Dishes: Dollop ricotta on top of warm pasta like lasagna, ravioli, or spaghetti for an extra layer of rich, velvety texture.
• Create Stunning Breakfast Toast: Top morning toast with ricotta, drizzle honey, and sprinkle fresh berries or chopped nuts for a gourmet breakfast experience.
• Craft Elegant Appetizer Platters: Arrange ricotta in a beautiful bowl surrounded by olives, roasted vegetables, and crispy crostini for an impressive party spread.

Storage Tips for Ina Garten Homemade Ricotta

• Maximize Freshness: Quick Ricotta Storage Tips
• Seal Tightly: Transfer homemade ricotta to an airtight container, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent air exposure and maintain creamy texture.
• Refrigerate Promptly: Cool ricotta completely before storing in the coldest part of the refrigerator, keeping it between 35-40°F for optimal quality and safety.
• Track Consumption Window: Enjoy your freshly made ricotta within 4-5 days for best flavor and texture, checking for any unusual smell or discoloration before use.
• Freeze for Extended Use: Portion ricotta into small freezer-safe containers, leaving slight headspace, and freeze up to 2 months – perfect for future cooking adventures.

Creamy Homemade Ricotta Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s homemade ricotta recipe delivers creamy, luxurious cheese with simple ingredients. Crafting this Italian staple requires minimal effort, promising a delightful spread for you to enjoy with fresh bread or crackers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (950 ml) whole milk
• 2 cups (470 ml) heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position a fine-mesh strainer over a deep container, draping two moistened cheesecloth layers to cover the entire surface.
2. Milk Fusion: In a stainless-steel pot, combine whole milk, heavy cream, and kosher salt, blending thoroughly to create a uniform mixture.
3. Heating Process: Apply medium heat, stirring continuously to prevent burning, until the liquid erupts into a vigorous boil, creating a rich, creamy base.
4. Curd Transformation: Remove from heat and introduce white wine vinegar, gently stirring to trigger curd separation; let the mixture rest momentarily as curds distinct from whey emerge.
5. Draining Stage: Gently transfer the curdled mixture into the prepared cheesecloth-lined strainer, allowing natural liquid drainage for 20-25 minutes, periodically removing accumulated whey.
6. Texture Refinement: Adjust draining time to achieve desired ricotta consistency, carefully monitoring the texture until reaching optimal thickness and smoothness.
7. Finishing Touch: Delicately transfer the freshly crafted ricotta to a clean serving bowl, removing cheesecloth and excess whey, ensuring a pure, creamy result.
8. Storage Protocol: Seal ricotta with plastic wrap and refrigerate, preserving its fresh, delicate flavor for 4-5 days of enjoyment.

Notes

• Milk Quality Matters: Use the freshest, highest-fat whole milk and heavy cream possible for the richest, most creamy ricotta texture.
• Temperature Control: Watch the heat carefully during boiling to prevent scorching or burning, which can dramatically alter the cheese’s flavor and smooth consistency.
• Vinegar Selection: White wine vinegar provides the best acid balance for curd formation; avoid substituting with other vinegars that might impart unwanted flavors.
• Straining Technique: Patience during draining determines the ricotta’s final texture – longer draining creates firmer cheese, while shorter times result in a softer, more delicate spread.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Breakfast
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 530
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fat: 52 g
• Saturated Fat: 32 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg