Basic Homemade Ricotta Cheese Recipes

EASY AND DELICIOUS HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Pour milk into a saucepan set over medium heat. Heat milk until it registers 194 degrees F (90 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir lemon juice and salt slowly into warmed milk. Let stand until milk curdles, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture carefully into the lined strainer. Let stand until most of the liquid has drained off the ricotta, about 15 minutes. Discard drained liquid.

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a stainless-steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side, but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.

BASIC HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• Place milk, cream, and vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil; simmer until curds form, about 2 minutes. Stir in salt and pour mixture through a cheesecloth over a bowl. Let it sit between 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how thick you want your ricotta to be.

CLASSIC STUFFED SHELLS RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a 9"x13" baking pan with cooking spray, set aside.
• Spread 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce in the bottom of the pan. Spread so that it is evenly coatedIn a medium bowl.
• Place the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of Italian blend cheese, Italian seasoning, egg, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Stir to combine.
• Fill each pasta shell with the cheese mixture and place, open side up, in the baking dish. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the shells. Sprinkle the other 1 1/2 cups of cheese over the top of the sauce.
• Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover the baking dish then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted, bubbly and starting to turn light brown in color.
• Garnish with parsley, then serve warm.