Name: How To Make Ricotta Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 cups
Cuisine: Italian

It is a Keeper Verified

March 4, 2026

Learn how to make ricotta cheese in just a few simple steps! This soft, creamy cheese only uses a few ingredients, and can be used in lots of sweet and savory recipes. Making ricotta at home takes very little time, so you can have fresh ricotta cheese whenever you want instead of buying it at the store.

From the Cook

1/7

How To Make Ricotta Cheese

It is a Keeper Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

This recipe also lives on It is a Keeper. Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Check out original post! 😊

Original PostView

Instructions

Place milk in a large stockpot and stir in the salt. If you have a candy thermometer, clip it to the side of the pot to keep an eye on the temperature.

Set the milk on medium heat until it reaches 185F. Small curds should begin to form.

Stir in the lemon juice.

Reduce heat to medium-low, while maintaining the temperature of 185F for 20 minutes.

Remove milk from heat and let sit for a few minutes before straining.

Line a fine mesh sieve/strainer with cheesecloth and either pour the milk mixture into that, or transfer curds individually with a spoon. You can either discard the whey (liquid) or save a cup to store the ricotta curds in.

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Use Fresh, High-Quality Milk 🥛
Choose whole milk with a high fat content and avoid ultra-pasteurized varieties, as they won't curdle properly and will yield less cheese with a better texture.
Monitor Temperature Precisely 🌡️
Heat milk slowly to exactly 185-195°F and maintain this temperature range while stirring gently—too cool and curds won't form, too hot and you'll get a grainy, rubbery result.
Line Your Strainer with Cheesecloth 🧊
Use fine-mesh cheesecloth doubled over to catch delicate ricotta curds that would otherwise slip through, ensuring maximum yield and creamy texture.
Add Salt at the Right Time ⏱️
Season your ricotta immediately after straining while it's still warm, as warm cheese absorbs salt more evenly than cold cheese, preventing uneven salty pockets.
Save the Whey for Extended Freshness 💧
Store finished ricotta submerged in the reserved whey in an airtight container—this extends shelf life to 5-7 days and keeps the cheese moist and creamy.

Intelligent Tags

About the Cook

It is a Keeper

Hi! I’m Christina… welcome to my kitchen! It’s so nice to meet you! I share tried and true recipes that anyone can make. I believe, if you can read, you can cook.