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Homemade Ricotta Cheese
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5 from 7 votes

How to make Ricotta cheese

Ricotta Cheese is one of the most versatile and easiest cheeses to make at home. Plus, it's simply delicious! Follow our easy step by step instructions to make your own cheese.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 560kcal
Author: Jayne

Equipment

  • Stock pot
  • cheesecloth
  • cheese ladle

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon Whole milk
  • 4 cups Heavy cream
  • 1½ cups Distilled white vinegar
  • ½ cup Fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Kosher salt

Instructions

  • Heat the milk and cream over medium heat until it reaches 200˚F. Stir frequently to avoid sticking or burning at the bottom of the large pot.
  • Mix the lemon juice and vinegar together in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Once the mixture reaches 200˚F turn off the heat completely.
  • Keep stirring consistently while you add in the salt and lemon juice vinegar mixture.
  • Mix 1-2 times to completely combine. The cream mixture will begin to coagulate immediately. This is normal. Cover with the lid.
  • Allow the cheese to rest for 10 minutes without removing the lid or stirring. This is important so DO NOT BE CURIOUS.
  • While the mixture is resting it will coagulate and white curds will form and float on the surface.
  • While you are waiting for the cheese to finish line a colander with a fine cheese cloth, and place the colander into a large bowl. Set to the side of the pot.
  • After 10 minutes remove the lid from the pot. Gently rest your skimmer on the curds. If the skimmer does not sink all the way below the curds you are ready to scoop out the cheese.
  • Scoop from the middle of the pot to the sides of the pot. Lift out the cheese and place it into the cheesecloth-lined colander.
  • Scoop out as much of the curds as you can until all that is remaining is a liquid called "whey". See below for all the ways you can use the leftover whey proteins.
  • Allow cheese to drain completely. This will take around 30 minutes.
  • Retain any liquid whey draining from the cheese for future uses.
  • Remove the cheese from the cheesecloth. Cheese can be placed in molds or shaped to your favorite shape.
  • You can serve the cheese or add flavors. Cheese is now ready to add to your favorite recipes.

Nutrition

Serving: 500grams | Calories: 560kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 2013IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 532mg | Iron: 0.1mg