Ricotta recipes

Cioccolata cheesecake is an Italian-style crustless ricotta cheesecake spiked with rum, cocoa and a whisper of chocolate flavoring. Lighter and tangier than cream cheese versions, with a dense, custardy crumb and a cocoa-dark top.

Vegetarian stuffed bread ring filled with spinach, ricotta, mushrooms, and mozzarella, rolled into a circle and baked golden. A low-calorie savory stromboli.

Amateur lasagna: an easy vegetarian spinach lasagna with uncooked noodles, ricotta-mozzarella filling, and jarred sauce. No pre-boiling needed, just layer and bake.

Silky cocoa creme is a light chocolate mousse made with ricotta, cocoa powder, and whipped topping, set with gelatin. A low-fat molded dessert served with strawberries.

Sweet corn kernels brighten up this lighter lasagna layered with ricotta and part-skim mozzarella for a vegetarian dinner that won't weigh you down.

Three-cheese tortellini filling with ricotta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese, seasoned with mace, thyme, and garlic. Makes 6 cups and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

This filling yet tasty lasagna dish satisfies both of your palate and stomach. It's cheesy and flavorful, it's a popular recipe all year around.

Golden baked crab calzones stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, cream cheese, scallions, and olives in a soft yeast dough. Makes 10 hearty hand pies from one batch.

Freezer manicotti: a make-ahead Italian pasta dinner with ricotta-stuffed tubes, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella. Pipe, assemble, freeze, and bake straight from the freezer on a busy night.

Crispy phyllo triangles stuffed with seasoned ground chicken, rice, spinach, ricotta, black olives, and toasted pine nuts. Mediterranean flavors wrapped in shattering golden layers.

Chicken breasts stuffed with Swiss and ricotta cheese, pan-seared in butter, and served over fettuccine with a brandy-tomato pan sauce. Elegant enough for date night, ready in under an hour.

Penne with artichoke hearts, ricotta, spinach, and white wine in a light lemon sauce. No cream, no oil, and packed with vegetables. A fresh 15-minute pasta dinner.

Baked Italian mac and cheese built on a from-scratch bechamel and three cheeses, ricotta, white cheddar, and Romano, with fresh basil and a crisp Italian breadcrumb top. Creamy inside, golden on top.

A no-bake dessert pizza spread with whipped ricotta cannoli cream, chocolate chips, candied fruit, and crushed pistachios. No oven needed for the topping, just chill and assemble.

Salmon asparagus manicotti: pasta tubes stuffed with ricotta, poached salmon, and fresh asparagus, baked in cream of asparagus sauce. A comforting seafood pasta dinner.

We like this piquant tomato sauce, which is easy on the calories, but if you are in the mood to indulge, try cream in place of the ricotta and yogurt.