This whipped ricotta cheese is the easiest way to turn a simple tub of ricotta into something irresistibly creamy, silky, and full of flavour in just 5 minutes. Whether served as a dip, spread on toast, or added to a grazing board, this versatile recipe works beautifully for both sweet and savoury dishes.
Whipped Ricotta Cheese (Easy 5-Minute Recipe)
Did you know that there is so much more to a humble tub of ricotta cheese than lasagna?Whizz it in a food processor with some lemon juice and olive oil, and in less than five minutes, this mild and slightly curdy Italian cheese transforms into a ultra-creamy, silky and luscious dip.
Trust me, once you have made this whipped ricotta cheese, you’ll wonder why you have not made this before. The best part is that you only need a handful of ingredients so it’s perfect when you are in a rush or in need a last minute dip.
Whipped ricotta is one of those brilliantly versatile recipes that with a just a few tweaks works just as well as either sweet or savoury. Spread it croutons, bread or pancakes, use it as a creamy base to dip roasted vegetables or crudités, add it onto a grazing boards or even stir it through warm pasta. For best results, make sure to use full-fat ricotta, the low-fat version will not have the same silky texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Just 5 ingredients (plus toppings)
- Works sweet or savoury
- Perfect for entertaining
- No cooking required
Other Dip Recipes To Try
Watch How To Make Whipped Ricotta Cheese
What Is Whipped Ricotta Cheese?
Mild and milky, ricotta is a whey cheese with a slightly grainy consistency. It is made by being boiled twice, then strained to retain only the soft clumps of curd that give it its characteristic texture.
Once whipped in a food processor, ricotta cheese loses its natural graininess and transforms from a mild and bland cheese to a silky, cloud-like spread.
Whipped ricotta differs in a number of way from regular ricotta. Here is a breakdown to help you understand when and how to use both:
| Regular Ricotta | Whipped Ricotta | |
| Texture | Slightly grainy, dense, crumbly | Silky, smooth, mousse-like, airy |
| Flavour | Mild, subtly sweet, a bit tangy | Brighter, creamier, more pronounced |
| Appearance | Rough, rustic | Smooth, glossy |
| Prep needed | None, use straight from the tub | 5 minutes in a food processor |
| Best used for | Lasagne, stuffed pasta, baked dishes, cheesecake | Dips, spreads, toast, crostini, pasta sauce, sharing boards |
| Serves as a standalone dish? | Not really | Absolutely |
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ricotta cheese (full-fat)
- fresh lemon juice and zest
- extra-virgin olive oil
- garlic (skip if you are making sweet whipped ricotta cheese)
- salt
TO SERVE: optional
- thyme
- honey
- red chilli flakes
- croutons, pitta, bread sticks etc…
How to Make Whipped Ricotta Cheese (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Whizz in Food Processor
- Place the ricotta, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and lemon zest in the bowl of a food processor.
- Whizz until smooth. Season to taste with salt and more lemon juice if needed.
Step 2: Serve Whipped Ricotta Cheese
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Scatter fresh thyme leaves on top, as well as honey and red chilli flakes.
- Serve with croutons, pitta or bread sticks.
Sweet vs Savoury — Two Ways to Serve It
The recipe below yields a sweet and savoury dip that you can serve with vegetables, croutons or as part of a mezze / grazing board. However, you can skip the garlic and enjoy it as a sweet spread, perfect for breakfast or snack. You can also mix and match the toppings to your personal preferences. Here are some suggestions, but feel free to let your imagination guide you:
Sweet:
- Whipped ricotta with honey and lemon zest (good for breakfast, brunch etc..)
- Topped with pistachios, figs, or fresh berries
- Served on bread, pancakes, waffles
Savoury:
- Whipped ricotta with roasted garlic and herbs
- Topped with olives or roasted cherry tomatoes, peppers, caramelised onions
- Spooned alongside grilled vegetables, crudités or pasta
What to Serve with Whipped Ricotta
- Sourdough, baguette or crusty bread
- Crostini or croutons
- Crackers, bread sticks
- Swirled under roasted vegs or as a dip for crudités
- As a dip on a sharing board / grazing platter
- Stirred through warm pasta
Tips for the Best Whipped Ricotta
- Always use whole milk full-fat ricotta for the creamiest result
- Don’t skip the lemon juice and zest
- Serve at room temperature for the best texture
- Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil just before serving
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Can be made up to 2 days ahead (add the toppings just before serving)
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge
- Give it a quick stir before serving
- Do not freeze
Variations to Try
- Whipped ricotta with honey and pistachios
- Whipped ricotta with roasted garlic
- Whipped ricotta with chilli and lemon
- Whipped ricotta with herbs (thyme, chives, basil)
- Whipped ricotta with olives and sundried tomatoes
- Whipped ricotta with truffle oil (for a dinner party showstopper)
I hope you enjoy this whipped ricotta cheese recipe as much as I do. If you do make it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Make sure to save this recipe for later and share it with friends and family looking for fresh, healthy meal ideas!
Whipped Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Equipment
Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.
Watch How To Make This Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g ricotta cheese
- 1 to 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove grated
- 1/4 to 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest to taste
- salt to taste
TO SERVE:
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 to 2 Tbsp honey
- red chilli flakes
- croutons, pitta, bread sticks etc…
Instructions
- Place the ricotta, 1 Tbsp of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and lemon zest in the bowl of a food processor.500 g ricotta cheese, 1 to 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 garlic clove, 1/4 to 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest
- Whizz until smooth. Season to taste with salt and more lemon juice if needed.salt
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Scatter fresh thyme leaves on top, as well as honey and red chilli flakes.2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 to 2 Tbsp honey, red chilli flakes
- Serve with croutons, pitta or bread sticks.croutons, pitta, bread sticks etc…
Nutritional Information
Find this recipe online:
https://theflexitarian.co.uk/recipe-items/whipped-ricotta-cheese-recipe/
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can also use a hand mixer or whisk.
No it is not the same. Cream cheese is a spreadable cheese with added cream, while ricotta is a whey cheese with a much lighter consistency. Ricotta also contains less fat than full-fat cream cheese.
Whipped ricotta will last up to a week stored in an airtight container in the fridge. However, toppings such as nuts will soften.
For best results, you need to use full-fat ricotta as the low-fat version will not yield the same creaminess.
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