Whipped Ricotta Spread (Printable)
A light, fluffy spread made from fresh ricotta whipped with cream and seasonings. Ideal for toasts, crostini, or serving alongside vegetables.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 1 cup (250 g) fresh whole-milk ricotta cheese, drained
02 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream
→ Seasonings
03 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
→ Garnish (optional)
07 - 1 tablespoon honey or hot honey
08 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (basil, chives, or parsley)
09 - Cracked black pepper, to taste
10 - Flaky sea salt, to taste
11 - Toasted bread or crostini, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place the drained ricotta cheese and heavy cream in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Using a hand mixer or whisk, beat the ricotta on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light, smooth, and fluffy.
03 - Add the extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon zest, then mix until just incorporated.
04 - Taste the whipped ricotta and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Transfer the whipped ricotta to a serving bowl. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs, cracked black pepper, and flaky sea salt if desired.
06 - Serve immediately with toasted bread or crostini, or cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It takes exactly the length of one song to make, and people will think you spent ages perfecting it.
- The texture transforms ordinary ricotta into something that feels like it belongs on a restaurant menu.
02 -
- Skipping the draining step once left me with a watery puddle instead of a spread, so always let the ricotta drain in a fine mesh sieve for at least fifteen minutes.
- Adding a teaspoon of lemon juice alongside the zest was an accident that turned into my favorite variation because it brightens the whole bowl.
03 -
- If your ricotta tastes flat, a tiny pinch of salt and another few drops of olive oil will almost always rescue it.
- Warming the bowl slightly before whipping makes the whole process faster and gives you an even lighter result.