What Can I Make with Ricotta Cheese

Okay so today I’m asking for some ideas! What can I make with ricotta cheese? I’ve made delicious Italian drop cookies and my granddaughter has made awesome lasagna both using ricotta cheese. When I’m finished baking the cookies I still have cheese left over so I’m looking ideas to use what’s left over. I’m trading the Italian cookie recipe for ideas, I’d love more desserts made from Ricotta Cheese!

The Italian cookie recipe is one from a dear Italian friend from over 50 years ago. Her handwritten recipe has faded and I’ve penned over the letters but it’s one that will be passed down to Alexandra and Lia. These cookies are so soft and delicious with a confectionery sugar frosting and sprinkles. Here is a link to a batch I made back in 2016. http://themarthareview.com/italian-drop-cookies/

Italian Cookies

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine (I always use butter)

3/4 cup Ricotta cheese

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla & 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (This is where I make variations.  I switch the vanilla & lemon to almond or add orange extract in place of the lemon)

1 cup granulated sugar

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt (which I never add)

Blend the softened butter with the cheese, add the egg, vanilla and lemon, mixing well

Stir in the dry ingredients (sugar, flour, baking soda, salt)

Drop teaspoons of batter on greased cookie sheet (I use a silicone baking sheet and doesn’t need greasing plus the cookies are lightly browned and they do not stick)

Bake 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. One batch  makes 3 dozen.  Remove from oven and cool.

Frosting

Mix together 1 cup confectioner sugar,  flavored extract of your choice and a little water to make it easy to spread. I usually start with 2 tablespoons of water and add more as needed.  Spread on the cookies, then add sprinkles to the top.  

After cookies are completely cooled, frost and add sprinkles. I whipped up this batch a few days ago to take some up to my grandson in Indiana!

Lasagna

Take a look at Alexandra’s homemade mouthwatering lasagna! She uses Ricotta, Asiago, Provolone, Romano and Mozzarella cheese!I can’t share her recipe because it’s in her head! She just started adding ingredients until it looks like this! http://themarthareview.com/homemade-lasagna/

So please help me by putting your cooking thinking caps on and give me some ideas of what to do with left over Ricotta cheese. Do you have a recipe that calls for ricotta cheese? What can I make with Ricotta cheese, I’d love to hear your ideas!