Almonds adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
cheese, ricotta
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
A fresh, soft Italian whey cheese made by re-heating the liquid left after making mozzarella or Pecorino — mild, slightly sweet, and versatile as both a fillin…
54 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Ricotta (literally "recooked") is produced by acidifying hot whey, precipitating the remaining albumin and globulin proteins that survive the original curd-making — making it technically a cheese of the leftover proteins rather than the primary curds. The result is light, delicately flavored, slightly sweet, and grainy in texture (from large protein aggregates) — unlike most aged cheeses, it has no fermentation-derived sharpness or complex flavor beyond the milk itself. Whole-milk ricotta is creamier and more satisfying than part-skim; fresh farm ricotta still warm from production is transcendent. In pasta fillings (ravioli, cannelloni), ricotta provides a neutral, creamy base for herbs, vegetables, or meat; in cannoli, it is flavored with sugar, vanilla, and candied peel. Baked with honey and lemon zest it becomes a simple, extraordinary dessert; with olive oil and sea salt on toast it approaches the appeal of the best fresh cheeses.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
almonds
apricots
bacon
basil
beans, fava
berries
blueberries
bread
cheese, mozzarella
cheese, parmesan
cheese, pecorino
cheesecake
chestnuts
chives
chocolate, dark
cinnamon
coffee / espresso
cream
dates
egg dishes
figs
fruits, dried
garlic
hazelnuts
herbs
honey
lemon
mace
mascarpone
nutmeg
olive oil
orange
parsley, flat-leaf
pasta
pepper, black
pine nuts
prosciutto
prosecco
prunes
raisins
raspberries
rum
salt, kosher
sorrel
spinach
strawberries
sugar
tapenade
tarragon
tomatoes
vanilla
vinegar, balsamic
walnuts
wine, red, sweet
almonds
Almonds adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
apricots
Apricots brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
bacon
Bacon reinforces the savory side of cheese, ricotta's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
basil
Basil gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
beans, fava
Beans, fava adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
berries
Berries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
blueberries
Blueberries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
bread
Bread gives cheese, ricotta's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
cheese, mozzarella
Cheese, mozzarella contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
cheese, parmesan
Cheese, parmesan contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
cheese, pecorino
Cheese, pecorino contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
cheesecake
Cheesecake contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
chestnuts
Chestnuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
chives
Chives gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
chocolate, dark
Chocolate, dark complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
coffee / espresso
Coffee / espresso complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
cream
Cream adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
dates
Dates brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
egg dishes
Egg dishes complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
figs
Figs brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
fruits, dried
Fruits, dried complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
garlic
Garlic adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
hazelnuts
Hazelnuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
herbs
Herbs gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
honey
Honey draws out the sweeter side of cheese, ricotta's character while adding roundness and dessert-friendly depth.
lemon
Lemon brings acidity that cuts through cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
mace
Mace adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
mascarpone
Mascarpone complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
nutmeg
Nutmeg adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
olive oil
Olive oil adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
orange
Orange brings acidity that cuts through cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
parsley, flat-leaf
Parsley, flat-leaf gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
pasta
Pasta gives cheese, ricotta's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
pepper, black
Pepper, black adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
pine nuts
Pine nuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
prosciutto
Prosciutto reinforces the savory side of cheese, ricotta's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
prosecco
Prosecco complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
prunes
Prunes complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
raisins
Raisins brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
raspberries
Raspberries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
rum
Rum adds aromatic warmth and acidity that deepen cheese, ricotta's character without making it feel flat.
salt, kosher
Salt, kosher complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
sorrel
Sorrel complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
spinach
Spinach adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
strawberries
Strawberries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
sugar
Sugar draws out the sweeter side of cheese, ricotta's character while adding roundness and dessert-friendly depth.
tapenade
Tapenade complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
tarragon
Tarragon gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
tomatoes
Tomatoes adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
vanilla
Vanilla draws out the sweeter side of cheese, ricotta's character while adding roundness and dessert-friendly depth.
vinegar, balsamic
Vinegar, balsamic brings acidity that cuts through cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
walnuts
Walnuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
wine, red, sweet
Wine, red, sweet adds aromatic warmth and acidity that deepen cheese, ricotta's character without making it feel flat.
Apricots brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
Bacon reinforces the savory side of cheese, ricotta's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
Basil gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
Beans, fava adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
Berries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
Blueberries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
bread
Bread gives cheese, ricotta's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
Cheese, mozzarella contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
Cheese, parmesan contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
Cheese, pecorino contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
cheesecake
Cheesecake contributes salt, fat, and lactic depth that frame cheese, ricotta's character without overwhelming it.
Chestnuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
Chives gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
chocolate, dark
Chocolate, dark complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Cinnamon adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
Coffee / espresso complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
cream
Cream adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
Dates brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
egg dishes
Egg dishes complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
figs
Figs brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
fruits, dried
Fruits, dried complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Garlic adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
Hazelnuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
herbs
Herbs gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
Honey draws out the sweeter side of cheese, ricotta's character while adding roundness and dessert-friendly depth.
lemon
Lemon brings acidity that cuts through cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
Mace adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
Mascarpone complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Nutmeg adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
Olive oil adds richness and carries the aromatic side of cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing feel fuller and more cohesive.
orange
Orange brings acidity that cuts through cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
parsley, flat-leaf
Parsley, flat-leaf gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
Pasta gives cheese, ricotta's character a sturdy, comforting base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel complete.
Pepper, black adds warmth and aromatic contrast to cheese, ricotta's character, giving the pairing more dimension.
Pine nuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
Prosciutto reinforces the savory side of cheese, ricotta's character, building a deeper and more satisfying base.
prosecco
Prosecco complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Prunes complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Raisins brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
Raspberries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
Rum adds aromatic warmth and acidity that deepen cheese, ricotta's character without making it feel flat.
Salt, kosher complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Sorrel complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Spinach adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
Strawberries brings fruit sweetness and acidity that lift cheese, ricotta's character and keep the pairing lively.
sugar
Sugar draws out the sweeter side of cheese, ricotta's character while adding roundness and dessert-friendly depth.
tapenade
Tapenade complements cheese, ricotta by adding contrast, support, or aromatic depth to cheese, ricotta's character.
Tarragon gives cheese, ricotta's character a fresh herbal lift, keeping the pairing aromatic instead of heavy.
Tomatoes adds vegetal sweetness or earthiness that gives cheese, ricotta's character more structure and balance.
Vanilla draws out the sweeter side of cheese, ricotta's character while adding roundness and dessert-friendly depth.
Vinegar, balsamic brings acidity that cuts through cheese, ricotta's character, making the pairing taste brighter and more focused.
Walnuts adds toasted richness and gentle bitterness that make cheese, ricotta's character taste rounder and more substantial.
wine, red, sweet
Wine, red, sweet adds aromatic warmth and acidity that deepen cheese, ricotta's character without making it feel flat.