This creamy Whipped Ricotta Cheese Dip might become your new favorite easy appetizer! With just 4 simple ingredients and no fancy equipment needed, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dip that’ll wow your guests.
This recipe features a rich blend of ricotta cheese, cream, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. And that final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil? It adds a beautiful finishing touch that makes this dip look as gorgeous as it tastes.
For extra creamy flavor, I love making this dip using our homemade ricotta cheese recipe, but store-bought ricotta works great, too.
If you love cheesy appetizers as much as we do, be sure to check out our recipes for Mini Cheese Balls, Artichoke Green Chile Cheese Dip, Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls and Artichoke Cheese Wontons.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Amazing Flavor: The combination of ricotta, Parmesan, and cream creates a rich, indulgent taste with a silky smooth texture.
Versatile: Feel free to add different ingredients to suit your tastebuds, and check out the recipe variations below.
Easy to Make: Just heat, chill, and whip – no complicated techniques required!
Ingredients Notes
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own homemade ricotta spread:
Ricotta Cheese – Use a good quality, whole-fat ricotta cheese.
Heavy Cream – Adds a depth of creamy flavor, and helps get that perfectly whipped texture.
Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan cheese adds a complex, nutty flavor to the ricotta dip.
Sea Salt – Fine sea salt blends beautifully into the dip and elevates the flavor.
Olive Oil – Use a drizzle of high quality extra virgin olive oil on the top of the dip before serving! Its fruity flavor is the perfect complement to the creamy dip.
Equipment Needed
Whipped ricotta dip requires a few common kitchen tools to make! Here’s what you need:
- Heavy medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Medium mixing bowl
- Electric mixer – You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer.
- Spatula
Step by Step Instructions
STEP ONE: Pour the cream into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat; bring it just to a boil, and remove from the heat.
STEP TWO: Then, add the cheese in small handfuls and whisk until the cheese is incorporated and the mixture thickens.
STEP THREE: Transfer the mixture to a heatproof bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled and thick, about 4 hours or overnight.
STEP FOUR: Transfer the chilled cream mixture to a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on low speed with electric mixer until mixture is creamy, about 1 minute.
STEP FIVE: Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the ricotta and salt. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until mixture is smooth, light and fluffy, about 3 more minutes.
STEP SIX: Spoon into a serving dish. Swirl the top and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Serve with crackers or crudites.
How Long Can You Store Whipped Ricotta?
Store any leftover ricotta cheese dip tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If mixture has separated, use a fork to blend the mixture before serving.
Recipe Variations and Add-ins
The variations and add-ins that can be made to this whipped parmesan dip are endless! Here are some fun ideas that you can try:
- Roasted garlic – Mash a whole head of roasted garlic into the dip for rich, mellow flavor.
- Fresh herbs – Mix in chopped basil, thyme, or chives.
- Spice – Add crushed red pepper flakes or Italian spice mix.
- Honey – Drizzle ricotta with regular or hot honey.
- Mediterranean style – Top with sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and fresh basil.
- Balsamic vinegar – Drizzle with balsamic vinegar for a tangy flavor.
- Citrus – Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest or orange zest.
- Caramelized onion – Fold in cooled caramelized onions for rich depth of flavor.
- Pesto – Swirl in a few spoonfuls of prepared pesto.
- Everything bagel – Top with everything bagel seasoning.
What to Serve With Whipped Ricotta
This versatile savory ricotta dip pairs beautifully with so many dippers! Try it with:
- Garlic Bread
- Crostini
- Fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber rounds, and bell pepper strips
- Crispy crackers, pita chips, or air fried tortilla chips
- Fresh or grilled fruit like figs, peaches, or pears
- Drizzled over roasted vegetables
FAQs
Absolutely! Make this whipped ricotta recipe up to 2 days in advance and store tightly covered in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir and add the olive oil drizzle right before serving.
For the smoothest results, use whole milk ricotta cheese. I like to use my homemade ricotta, but you can use a high-quality store bought version if you prefer. Avoid low-fat versions as they can be watery and won’t whip up as nicely.
Heating the cream ensures the Parmesan melts completely into the mixture, creating a super soft and smooth texture!
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Printable Recipe Card
Whipped Ricotta Cheese Dip with Parmesan
Equipment
- 1 heavy medium saucepan
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 silicone spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Assorted crackers or crudites for serving
Instructions
- Pour the cream into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat; bring it just to a boil, and remove from the heat.
- Add the cheese in small handfuls and whisk until the cheese is incorporated and the mixture thickens.
- Transfer the mixture to a heatproof bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled and thick, about 4 hours or overnight.
- Transfer the chilled cream mixture to a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on low speed with electric mixer until mixture is creamy, about 1 minute.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the ricotta and salt. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until mixture is smooth, light and fluffy, about 3 more minutes.
- Spoon into a serving dish. Swirl the top and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Serve with crackers or crudites. 12 servings.
Notes
Nutrition
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Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.
This recipe is a little different from most, as you first make a cream and Parmesan cheese mixture, chill it, and then whip it into the ricotta. This makes the dip extra soft and creamy! I hope you and your guests enjoy it as much as I enjoyed developing it.