Ricotta recipes

Ricotta crostini tops day-old French bread slices with a basil and garlic ricotta filling mixed with turkey bacon, then broils with Parmesan until bubbly. A lighter take on cheesy crostini.

Velvety ricotta and fresh spinach baked in a rich egg custard with Parmesan and nutmeg. A classic Italian-style quiche that puffs up golden and cuts into clean, elegant slices.

California ricotta cake: devil's food cake layers brushed with orange liqueur, filled and frosted with sweet ricotta whipped with cream, orange zest, almonds, and chocolate chips.

Fig and ricotta crostini with fresh basil ribbons and aged balsamic vinegar on toasted baguette. Elegant five-ingredient Italian appetizer ready in 20 minutes.

A simple but delicious pasta dish that is perfect to make after a long, hard day at work.

Italian-American ricotta pie with a graham cracker crust, sour cream layer, and homemade black cherry topping. Three layers of dairy and fruit that cross over from cheesecake territory into pie shape.

Spinach ricotta stuffed shells with a cabbage twist, baked in tomato-broth sauce with nutmeg. A lighter Italian-American main with hidden-vegetable smarts.

A very healthy dessert, malted milk powder, low-fat cheese, and very good chocolate, tasty and great.

Classic Italian ricotta torte in a double-crust pastry with ricotta, cream cheese, candied fruit, and a splash of rum or brandy. Silky, not heavy.

Spinach ricotta gnocchi (gnudi): pillowy Italian dumplings made without potatoes. Just ricotta, spinach, parmesan, and a touch of breadcrumb. Poached gently and dressed with butter or tomato sauce.

Italian-style ricotta cheesecake with orange zest and buttermilk on a ginger graham cracker crust. Lighter than cream cheese cheesecake with a delicate, fluffy texture.

Phyllo pastry gives this pie elegant looking and crispy texture. Ricotta cheese makes the pie taste smooth and creamy. Toasted pine nuts add the nutty and tangy flavor. A delicious and light dessert on Easter's dinner table.

Italian almond-ricotta cake with lemon zest and juice throughout. Moist, tender cake with light crumb from folded egg whites, baked at low temperature.

Crispy deep-fried ricotta fritters coated in ladyfinger crumbs with orange zest and nutmeg, served warm with raspberry sauce. An Italian-style dessert that's golden outside and creamy within.

Ricotta and pignoli sauce tosses fresh ricotta, toasted pine nuts, mint and basil with rotelle pasta in a quick tomato saute. A creamy Sicilian-inspired meatless pasta dinner.

Calzoni di ricotta are Italian fried half-moon turnovers stuffed with creamy ricotta, diced ham, and provolone, sealed in a lemon-kissed dough and fried golden. A crisp shell, molten cheese center, perfect antipasto or quick lunch.