If you are looking to stock on ricotta cheese, you may be wondering, how can you freeze ricotta cheese? Is it possible? Or perhaps you have some leftover ricotta and know that it will eventually spoil if you leave it in the fridge. For whatever reason, if you want to avoid food waste, you ought to learn how to store your dairy products for longer periods of time properly.
It’s essential to eat healthily, and it’s even more important to store healthily. Proper food storage can make all the difference in preserving your food’s quality, freshness, and nutrition content. It’s good always to be well organized and take the right steps to ensure your food’s freshness and nutrition value.
If you feel a little overwhelmed and have no idea what to do with your extra ricotta cheese and you don’t feel like eating it any time soon, do not panic; we’ll be sharing with you everything you need to know about how to freeze ricotta cheese. Learning how to freeze ricotta cheese isn’t complicated at all; though the process is quite simple, you need to keep in mind a few tips and tricks, so grab pen and paper and take note!
Table of Contents
Can you Freeze Ricotta Cheese
Method 1: Ricotta leftover
- Stir the ricotta with a spoon so that the cheese will freeze more evenly.
- Remove the cheese from the container and press it down with a layer of paper towels to drain.
- Wrap the cheese in plastic wrap, either as a whole or in individual portions using an ice cube tray
- From here, you may either transfer the cheese to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container.
- If using a bag, be sure to press out as much air as possible before sealing.
- Mark the container with the date.
- Place in the freezer for up to three months.
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Method 2: Cooked ricotta cheese
Can you Freeze Ricotta Cheese is doable by cooking your cheese dish and then freeze it. Freezing ricotta cheese this way will give you better results as opposed to freezing the cheese by itself.
For example, if you don’t want your delicious lasagna to go bad, try following the steps below:
- Cut it into sections as large as you wish.
- Wrap each section individually with plastic wrap or wax paper.
- Place each section into individual gallon or quart-size freezer bags.
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Common Questions Regarding Can you Freeze Ricotta Cheese
Where does ricotta cheese come from?
Commonly believed to have its origins in Sicily during the early part of the 13th century, ricotta, which means “cooked once again,” is literally just that.
Ricotta cheese is actually a cheese by-product that first appears in whey, a foamy, watery substance that appears while mozzarella and provolone cheese are being made. The whey is then gathered, re-cooked, and drained until it becomes a creamy curd known as ricotta cheese.
The ricotta cheese you find at your local grocery store was developed in the early 19th century from cow’s milk and resembles cottage cheese. It has a mild and slightly sweet taste. Moreover, because it is made with stabilizers, it has a moist, firm texture with delicate granules.
Is it possible to make ricotta cheese at home?
Ricotta cheese is easy to make. Lemon juice, milk, and give or take a half-hour of your time are all you need to make a batch of fresh, creamy homemade ricotta.
What is the difference between ricotta and cottage cheese?
While ricotta cheese resembles cottage cheese, it is more delicate in consistency and contains five times more calcium.
Can you freeze ricotta cheese for lasagna?
Even though it is perfectly safe to keep ricotta cheese in your freezer for longer preservation, be aware that freezing it will somewhat change its texture and taste.
That said, your frozen ricotta will still work well in dishes such as lasagna, soups, sauces, and other recipes that require cooking.
How long can you freeze ricotta cheese?
Ricotta cheese can last for three and up to six months in the freezer. If you are planning to freeze ricotta for longer than three months, make sure you follow the tips below before freezing:
- The ricotta cheese should be fresh. If it is near or past the date, it may not last as long as it could.
- If you did not open the package, put it in the freezer as it is.
- If you want to freeze it for more than a month, tightly seal the whole package inside a freezer bag.
- If you have some ricotta left in the container, take it out and place it in one or several freezer bags.
- Make sure you get all the air out before you seal them.
- If you want to keep it in containers, place the containers in heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.
- If you see any whey in your container, drain it off before freezing it because it can sour the cheese.
- Ensure that your freezer stays at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below.
What can I do with extra ricotta cheese?
Because it melts well, it can be used in much Italian pasta with meatballs or other recipes such as ravioli, tortellini, manicotti, and cannelloni, in many desserts, cheesecakes, cookies, muffins, tarts, and pies.
Ricotta cheese is also an excellent accompaniment to a variety of fruit, and it makes a tasty topping on bagels, Italian bread, and sweet rolls. You can use it in hot and cold salads and as a dip.
You can use previously frozen ricotta in dishes like this Spinach-Ricotta Quiche or this Baked Ziti with Sausage.
How long does ricotta cheese last in the refrigerator?
Previously frozen ricotta will last for up to three days in the fridge. Don’t bother refreezing, as this will completely ruin the texture.
How to know if ricotta cheese has gone bad?
If you notice your ricotta cheese has turned yellow and has a not-so-nice odor or flavor, it may have gone bad and should be discarded.
How to defrost ricotta cheese?
The best (and safest) way to thaw ricotta cheese is simply by leaving it in the fridge for several hours, about five to six.
When you take it out, and it begins to thaw, you may notice some liquid on the top. Here is what you can do:
Stir the liquid back into the cheese with an electric mixer or large spoon.
If it is still too soupy, you can get rid of some of the excess liquid.
Can you Freeze Ricotta Cheese Additional Tips
- Ricotta is actually listed among the worst cheeses to freeze on our guide to freezing cheese. But just because it’s not ideal doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
- Because ricotta has a high moisture content, the water will become ice once it’s frozen, causing the texture to change. The cheese will become more dry and crumbly in texture as the curds and whey are divided by the ice.
- Keep in mind that previously frozen ricotta cheese is only going to work for certain recipes. Only use previously frozen ricotta in cooked dishes to make the texture difference less noticeable in your dishes.
- If the container is unopened (and unexpired), you can freeze it in the plastic container in which you generally find store-bought ricotta.
- Never thaw ricotta at room temperature, as this can put the cheese at risk of bacterial contamination.
- Consider freezing the ricotta in individual servings so you can defrost the exact amount you need, as refreezing is not recommended.
