Indulging in a deliciously easy baked ricotta dish doesn’t have to mean making a huge batch. This single-serve recipe offers the perfect solution for when you’re craving that creamy goodness without the leftovers. If you want to treat yourself to a delightful dish, this baked ricotta recipe is something to try.
Leftover Ricotta in the fridge? When I buy ricotta I always have most of it leftover and I don’t like to waste, so why not plan on using the remaining ricotta. Also try this easy lemon and ricotta sauce pasta and a favorite,comfort food, mini lasagna for one.
A single serving of baked ricotta is a delightful culinary experience that’s sure to please your palate. With its creamy texture, rich flavor, and customizable toppings, this recipe is a perfect choice for a cozy night.
Click the recipe link at the top of the page to go straight to the printable recipe card which includes ingredient amounts with a detailed ingredient list, instructions, and recipe notes. You can also scroll through the post for helpful tips and step-by-step instructions. The recipe card is located at the bottom of the post.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Quick and Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy schedules.
- Creamy and Rich Flavor: Baking the ricotta enhances its creamy texture and brings out its natural richness, resulting in a decadent dish that’s bursting with flavor.
- Portion Control: Making a single serving ensures that you can enjoy the dish fresh out of the oven without worrying about leftovers.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Ricotta Cheese: Opt for whole milk ricotta cheese for the creamiest texture, but part-skim ricotta will also work.
- Herbs: Instead of a dessert with a sweet sauce you can use fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary add vibrant flavor and serve as an appetizer with bread.
Is Baked Ricotta a Dessert or an Appetizer?
Baked ricotta’s versatility lies in its ability to be transformed into either a savory appetizer or a sweet dessert, depending on how it’s prepared and served. Here’s how:
Serve as an Appetizer: When prepared with savory ingredients like garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese, baked ricotta becomes a delectable appetizer that’s perfect for serving before a meal. Here’s how it works:
- Savory Flavor Profile: Mixing ricotta with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan gives it a savory, rich flavor that pairs well with crusty bread, crackers, or vegetables.
- Serving Suggestions: Baked ricotta can be served warm or at room temperature alongside an assortment of accompaniments such as sliced baguette, crostini, crackers, cherry tomatoes, olives, or roasted vegetables.
- Appetizer Presentation: To serve as an appetizer, baked ricotta is often presented in a small baking dish or ramekin, garnished with additional herbs or a drizzle of olive oil for visual appeal.
Serve as a Dessert: By incorporating sweet ingredients like honey, sugar, fruit, and spices, baked ricotta can be transformed into a luscious dessert with a hint of savory undertones. Here’s how it can be done:
- Sweet Flavor Profile: Sweetening the ricotta mixture with ingredients like honey, sugar, or vanilla extract creates a dessert with a creamy, indulgent flavor reminiscent of cheesecake.
- Topping Options: Baked sweet ricotta can be topped with fresh fruit compote, berries, sliced figs, caramelized nuts, or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness and texture.
- Dessert Presentation: To serve as a dessert, baked sweet ricotta can be spooned into individual serving dishes or ramekins and garnished with the chosen toppings for an elegant presentation.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- In a medium bowl add the ricotta, honey, and lightly beaten egg. With a wooden spoon or spatula stir well until thoroughly mixed and creamy.
- Use spray oil to lightly coat the inside of a 6-ounce oven-safe ramekin dish and spoon the ricotta into the prepared baking ramekin.
- Place the ramekin on a small baking pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350° F. Let cool in the oven for about 10 minutes before removing it. The cake with be a light golden brown.
- While the cake is baking add the fruit to a small saucepan and heat thoroughly until the fruit is soft. Set aside to cool. Press the fruit through a sieve. reserve some of the whole fruit to sprinkle around the cake.
- Top with the berry sauce and serve.
Tips for Making the Best Baked Ricotta:
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: The flavor of this dish relies heavily on the quality of the ricotta and berries so opt for the best you can find.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir the ingredients until just combined to avoid making the ricotta too dense.
- Serve Immediately: Baked ricotta is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven while it’s still warm and creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is Baked Ricotta a crustless cheesecake? Baked ricotta is not typically considered a cheesecake in the traditional sense. While both dishes involve baking a cheese-based mixture, they differ in ingredients, texture, and flavor profile. Baked ricotta is often made with just a few ingredients, primarily ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, herbs, or berries. It has a creamy, slightly grainy texture and a savory flavor profile. On the other hand, cheesecake typically consists of a cream cheese base mixed with sugar, eggs, and flavorings, such as vanilla extract or lemon zest. The mixture is baked in a crust (usually made from crushed graham crackers or cookies) until set, resulting in a rich, creamy dessert with a smooth texture. Cheesecake is typically sweet and often served as a dessert, sometimes topped with fruit compote, chocolate ganache, or whipped cream.
- Can I make this ahead of time? While baked ricotta is best served fresh, you can prepare the mixture in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before baking.
- Can I freeze leftover baked ricotta? Its not recommended. It’s best to enjoy it fresh or refrigerate any leftovers and reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.
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Baked Ricotta
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg white lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup berries fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a medium bowl add the ricotta, honey, and lightly beaten egg. With a wooden spoon or spatula stir well until thoroughly mixed and creamy.
- Use spray oil to lightly coat the inside of a 6-ounce ramekin and spoon the ricotta into the prepared baking ramekin.
- Place the ramekin on a small baking pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350° F. Let cool in the oven for about 10 minutes before removing it. The cake with be a light golden brown.
- While the cake is baking add the fruit to a small saucepan and heat thoroughly until the fruit is soft. Set aside to cool. Press the fruit through a sieve. reserve some of the whole fruit to sprinkle around the cake.
- Top with the berry sauce and serve.
Notes
- If using fresh fruit, add a little water to the saucepan to create a warm sauce.
- Recipe ingredients can be multiplied by the number of cakes you would like to make.
- Fruit sauce can be made a day ahead.