Ricotta/30 recipes

Shrimp boat on a crispy Boboli shell with lemon ricotta, artichoke hearts, and herb-sautéed shrimp in a white wine reduction. Ready in 30 minutes flat.

Baked stuffed summer squash filled with ricotta, scallions, sage, thyme, and parsley. A light vegetarian side dish ready in 30 minutes that makes the most of garden squash.

Pasta with herbed ricotta, toasted pine nuts, tarragon, lemon zest, and parsley tossed into a creamy no-cook sauce. A 30-minute vegetarian pasta dinner with a bright, lemony ricotta coating on every strand.

Quick vegetarian crêpes stuffed with sautéed zucchini, green beans, fresh corn, ricotta, and Monterey Jack cheese. Topped with a tangy chive-lemon sour cream sauce and ready in under 30 minutes.

Cavatelli tossed in a spicy tomato sauce loaded with crumbled hot Italian sausage and fresh basil, topped with cool dollops of ricotta cheese. A hearty, make-ahead Italian pasta dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Light chocolate mousse made with ricotta cheese and cocoa. A creamy, low-fat dessert that sets with gelatin and comes together in 30 minutes.

Green rice casserole with spinach, ricotta, Monterey Jack cheese, and cooked rice. A quick 30-minute vegetarian side dish baked with a melted cheese topping.

Rice con queso: a layered Mexican-American casserole of brown rice, black beans, ricotta, Monterey Jack, and cheddar with green chilies. A vegetarian pantry dinner that bakes in 30 minutes flat.

Grilled portabello caps loaded with creamy spinach-artichoke ricotta filling, finished with Parmesan and served alongside a rustic tomato bread salad. A quick vegetarian main that's ready in under 30 minutes.

Golden baked calzones stuffed with smoked turkey, ricotta, spinach, Parmesan and fresh tomato slices. Ready in 30 minutes using store-bought pizza dough. Freezer-friendly for easy meal prep.

Malfatti (Italian spinach and ricotta dumplings) with Parmesan, nutmeg, and melted butter. Lighter than gnocchi and ready in 30 minutes. The key is squeezing every drop of water from the spinach.

White pizza with a ricotta base, rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes, chopped garlic, and dried basil and thyme on a prepared shell. A no-sauce pizza ready in about 30 minutes with just six ingredients.

Ricotta pancakes made with whipped egg whites for an extra-light, souffle-like texture. A protein-rich breakfast served with fresh fruit and maple syrup, ready in 20 minutes.

Whole wheat berry breakfast pancakes made light with fluffy egg whites and skim milk, sweetened with a little honey, then topped with creamy ricotta, fresh berries and maple syrup. Ready in about 20 minutes.

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.

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