By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 10, 2026
Rich, creamy, and super easy to make, this ricotta cheese recipe is a keeper. Once I started making fresh ricotta cheese, I’ve never looked back. Way better than store-bought, I like to keep a container in the fridge as it’s perfect to use in so many of my recipes.
Pin this recipe for later!
5-Star Review
“Raised Italian but never ate ricotta…. So I tried making my own. This ricotta is so good and so creamy! I love it!” – Diane
Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Have you tried making your own ricotta cheese at home? It’s such a fun process and much easier than you think. I don’t always have ricotta cheese in the fridge, so I developed my own recipe so I can whip up a batch whenever I want to prepare a recipe that calls for it.
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese and can be made from different milks: sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo. It’s made from the leftovers from the production of other cheeses’ whey, and is easily recreated at home.
I used just four basic ingredients, and ended up with the most creamy ricotta, trust me, it’s so much better than store-bought.
Tips For Beginners
- The milk needs to get hot enough to curdle . If you have a thermometer, check the temperature to make sure it is at least 190F before adding the white wine vinegar.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice . If you don’t have white wine vinegar, substitute the same amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Use milk and cream . This combination of milk and cream makes the creamiest ricotta. I highly recommend using both.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 cups whole milk
- ▢ 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ cup white wine vinegar
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Place a sieve over a large bowl, line with a cheesecloth, and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring the milk, heavy whipping cream, and salt to a simmer, stirring constantly to prevent it from boiling over– about 5 minutes. 4 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp kosher salt
- Add in the white wine vinegar and continue stirring. ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- Allow the mixture to curdle– about 2 minutes.
- Strain the mixture through the cheesecloth-lined sieve and set it aside to drain for at least 20 minutes.
- Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How To Make Homemade Ricotta Cheese Step by Step
Gather your ingredients.
Get the bowl ready: Place a sieve or strainer over a large bowl, line it with a cheesecloth, and set it aside.
Simmer the milk and cream: Over medium-high heat, in a large pot, bring 4 cups of milk, 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, and 1 tsp kosher salt to a simmer, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes so that it doesn’t boil over.
Curdle the milk and cream: Add ¼ cup of white wine vinegar and continue stirring. Let the mixture curdle. This usually takes me about 2 minutes.
Strain the mixture: Strain the curdled mixture through the cheesecloth-lined sieve and set it aside to drain for at least 20 minutes.
Use or store: Use the ricotta cheese immediately or store it to use at a later date. Enjoy.
How to Store
Once your ricotta has fully drained, you can enjoy it straight away, or transfer it to an airtight container for up to 5 days.
This ricotta actually freezes really well, so I often make a big batch and stash half in the freezer. The liquid will separate, and the texture will change, but you can thaw it in the fridge and either stir it back together or strain it, and it’s good to use.
Serving Suggestions
The options to use this homemade ricotta are endless. I love stuffing it into these homemade cannolis or using it to prepare a batch of this creamy chocolate chip cannoli dip . I also like to use it for the creamy cheesy garnish in this lasagna soup , and I find it makes the stuffing in these mozzarella chicken rolls ups irresistible.
More Homemade Cooking Basics To Try
- Forgo the store-bought bacon bits and learn How To Make Bacon Crumbles at home. I find they are great on salads, in sandwiches, or sprinkled over a savory stew.
- Rich and nutty, this recipe for How to Make Browned Butter will help you add a deep, toasty flavor to all your favorite recipes.
- Homemade Pasta is easier than you think! I love using these fresh, golden noodles in all my pasta dishes.
more cheese recipes
Boursin Cheese Recipe
Homemade Mascarpone Cheese
Pimento Cheese Recipe
White Queso Recipe
How to Make Ricotta Cheese (Ricotta Cheese Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Place a sieve over a large bowl, line with a cheesecloth, and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring the milk, heavy whipping cream, and salt to a simmer, stirring constantly to prevent it from boiling over– about 5 minutes. 4 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp kosher salt
- Add in the white wine vinegar and continue stirring. ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- Allow the mixture to curdle– about 2 minutes.
- Strain the mixture through the cheesecloth-lined sieve and set it aside to drain for at least 20 minutes.
- Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
