rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryricottaSoft cheese
noun

ricotta

rih-KAH-tuh/rɪˈkɑːtə/

A soft Italian cheese made from whey.

A spoon lifts the soft, fine curds of ricotta.

A shallow ceramic bowl holding a soft mound of fresh ricotta, with a spoonful lifted just above the rim to reveal its delicate, slightly grainy curds.
Etymology
riLatinagain
+cottaLatinto cook

The pieces mean 'cook again,' giving ricotta the literal sense 'recooked.' The cheese's name points to repeated cooking in its preparation.

In context

cooking videos7:16
make our lasagna, too. We mix the ricotta cheese with one egg. That's it. It mix pretty fast, pretty easy.
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe | Cheesy Pasta Bake We Make on Repeat

More examples

  • The filling combined ricotta with spinach.
  • A spoonful of ricotta softened the sharp tomato sauce.
  • The bakery sold pastries filled with sweetened ricotta.

Forms

ricotta

Similar words

cottage cheese
Cottage cheese generally has larger curds; ricotta is finer and is traditionally made from whey.
mascarpone
Mascarpone is richer and smoother; ricotta has a lighter, grainier texture.