Ricotta cheese isn’t something I always keep on hand. When I want to make pasta, pizza, or a dessert with the cheese, it used to go on my grocery list. However, with a toddler in the house, I always have an abundant supply of whole milk. I recently discovered how easy it is to make fresh homemade ricotta with whole milk. It takes less than 10 minutes of work (plus an hour to drain the cheese) and I think the flavor is better than the store-bought stuff!
Homemade Ricotta Cheese
- 4 cups whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup white vinegar or lemon juice
- cheesecloth
- 1 toddler (optional)
Line a colander with a few layers of cheesecloth and place it over a bowl. Add all of the ingredients to a 4-cup liquid measure and stir. Heat in the microwave for about 4 minutes, until the milk is simmering but not boiling and the solids in the milk start to separate from the liquids.
Pour the mixture into the prepared colander and allow it to drain for about an hour. After an hour, the whey will have separated from the curds. What’s left in the cheesecloth is your ricotta.
Use it in lasagna, pizza, ice cream, cheesecake, or just grab a handful and enjoy!
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Awesome! I love the little one getting in on the cooking (and cheese) action. I had no idea it was this easy to make ricotta. I’m all over this!
There are lots of different versions I found. Some required a thermometer and seemed more difficult. I adapted this one from various different ones and it worked! Your kids would probably enjoy it too :)
That does look pretty easy! Missed reading these posts… I was getting pretty hungry LOL
Hahaha, thanks for being a faithful reader! And a good catering staff member too ;)
Beautifully photographed – your little one is a natural.
:-) Mandy
Thanks :) Are you glad to be back home?
It is great being home except for the cold weather and having to repair and replace so many things – not what we had in mind for our return but nearly all sorted, thanks. :-)
easy peasy. thanks for sharing. Will have to pass on the toddler though! they are in short supply in my family right now.
walk in beauty.
Haha, that’s okay. The toddler just makes it a little more interesting :)
How sweet. We’ve never made this or homemade mozzarella and it sounds so great. Love the pictures.
Thanks, Katherine! I would love to try homemade mozzarella too!
Adorable!
You made me laugh with the optional toddler
Thanks :) The toddler definitely made cheee-making more fun!
Cute and lovely photos! I never knew making this would be easy.
Thank you. I didn’t either!