ricotta

/rəˈkɑdə/

/rɪˈkɒtə/

Ricotta is a soft, creamy cheese made from whey. Because it tastes mild and slightly sweet, ricotta can be used in desserts as well as savory dishes.

Mixed with garlic and parmesan, ricotta makes a delicious filling for pasta shells baked in red sauce. Italian cheesecakes and sweet cannoli can also be made using ricotta. It's similar to cottage cheese, but it's smoother and sweeter. In Italian, ricotta means "recooked," a reference to the way this versatile cheese is made, by cooking milk whey that's left over from making other cheeses.

Definitions of ricotta

1. noun

   soft Italian cheese like cottage cheese
   type of:

   cheese

   a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk