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Homemade Ricotta Cheese

This easy homemade ricotta recipe proves that fresh, artisanal cheese is surprisingly simple to achieve in your own kitchen. Using just four everyday ingredients—whole milk, double cream, lemon juice and salt—this vegetarian staple has a far superior flavour and texture to many shop-bought varieties. The result is a beautifully creamy, delicate curd that feels truly indulgent whether served warm or chilled from the fridge.

As a versatile vegetarian component, this fresh cheese is perfect for dolloping over seasonal pasta dishes, finishing a homemade pizza or spreading onto toasted sourdough with a drizzle of olive oil. If you have any leftover whey, it can be used to add nutrition to smoothies or as a flavourful base for vegetable soups. This recipe is an excellent introduction to home cheesemaking for any confident home cook.

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Ingredients for Homemade Ricotta Cheese

  • 1925ml whole milk

  • 240ml double cream

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 45ml lemon juice

Line a large colander with 2 layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl.

In a 5 to 5.7L pot over medium heat, heat milk, cream, and salt, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching, until mixture foams and comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add lemon juice. Simmer, stirring, until mixture curdles, 2 minutes for small curds. If you'd like a larger, dryer curd, continue to simmer an additional 2 minutes.

Pour mixture into cheesecloth lined colander and drain 10 to 15 minutes or until desired texture is achieved. Empty liquid from bowl if necessary to ensure proper draining. Reserved whey can be used in smoothies or soup. Chill ricotta until ready to use.

Serve spread onto crostini with a drizzle of olive oil, dollop over pasta or pizza, or stir into scrambled eggs. Ricotta will keep in the fridge for 1 week.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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