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The Surprising Differences Between Ricotta and Cottage Cheese

At first glance, ricotta and cottage cheese may seem like identical twins – both are pale, soft, and shapeless. But don’t be fooled! These two cheeses have distinct differences in ingredients, texture, taste, and uses.

A Brief History of Ricotta

Ricotta originated in Italy as a way to utilize whey, a byproduct of cheese production. The name “ricotta” comes from the Latin “recocta,” meaning recooked. This cheese is known for its smooth, slightly grainy texture and subtle sweetness. While there are variations like ricotta salata, which is salted and aged, and American ricotta, which adds whole or skim milk to the whey, traditional ricotta is a staple in Italian cuisine.

Cottage Cheese: A Different Story

Cottage cheese, on the other hand, is made from the curds of milk, resulting in a lumpier and wetter texture than ricotta. It’s often flavored with chives or pineapple and has a higher sodium content. While it can be used as a substitute in some recipes, cottage cheese has its own unique characteristics that set it apart.

Using Ricotta and Cottage Cheese in Recipes

So, how can you incorporate these cheeses into your cooking? Here are some ideas:

• Ricotta: Dollop it on pasta, fold it into a sauce, or spread it on toasted bread with honey or tomatoes for a delicious bruschetta. Ricotta is also a popular filling for pasta shells, manicotti, ravioli, cannoli, and cheesecake.
• Cottage Cheese: Use it as a healthier alternative to ricotta in lasagna and stuffed shell recipes, or enjoy it on its own with fruit at breakfast or as a light dessert.

Recipe Inspiration

Ready to get cooking? Try these recipes that showcase the unique qualities of ricotta and cottage cheese:

• Homemade Ricotta Cheese: A simple recipe using milk, cream, salt, and distilled white vinegar.
• Herbed Ricotta Spread: A luxurious spread made with chopped herbs, lemon juice, and ricotta.
• Winter Greens Lasagna: A decadent vegetarian dish featuring crème fraiche, ricotta, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
• Baked Ziti with Meatballs and Ricotta: A classic Italian-American dish with a twist.
• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: Fluffy pancakes made with whole-milk ricotta and lemon zest.
• Ricotta Honey Tart: A simple yet impressive dessert featuring a buttery flour crust and a creamy ricotta filling.
• Ricotta Cheesecake with Blood Orange Marmalade: A light and fluffy cheesecake topped with a tangy blood orange marmalade.
• Chilled Chile con Queso with Cottage Cheese: A healthy and flavorful dip perfect for spring garden parties and summer barbecues.
• Noodleless Zucchini Lasagna: A low-carb and low-fat alternative to traditional lasagna, using cottage cheese and zucchini strips.
• Bubbe’s Luchen Kugel: A traditional Jewish noodle kugel recipe using low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream.