What to Do with Trader Joe’s Lemon Ricotta Cheese? [11 Creative Ideas]

Trader Joe’s Lemon Ricotta Cheese is a creamy, tangy cheese flavored with lemon zest and juice. What I like the most about it is its smooth texture and bright, refreshing taste that is perfect for both sweet and savory dishes. The lemon flavor is subtle yet noticeable, adding a zing to any recipe it’s used in.

I know that sometimes, having too many options is as complicated as having none, so it’s a good idea to have your options narrowed down and listed in a single, convenient place. Therefore, in the following paragraphs, I will give you some ideas about what you can do with Trader Joe’s Ricotta cheese.

How to Eat Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese?

Baked lemon ricotta cheese is a tasty ingredient you can enjoy in many ways. You can use it in many ways; each one is more enjoyable than the one before.

You can serve baked lemon ricotta cheese can as a dip for vegetables, crackers, bread, or anything else you think could use dipping. It’s an excellent appetizer for parties or gatherings or for a bit of self-indulgence. Simply mix together the baked ricotta cheese with some herbs and spices of your choice, and serve alongside your favorite dippers.

Spread the baked lemon ricotta cheese on toast for a quick breakfast or snack. Top with fresh herbs, sliced tomatoes, or avocado for added flavor and nutrients, and enjoy simplicity and deliciousness joining forces.

Lemon ricotta cheese makes pasta creamier and zestier, adding flavor and a little bit of magic to the dish. Baked lemon ricotta cheese is an excellent addition to pasta dishes, especially those with a light and creamy sauce. Mix it into your favorite pasta dish for a delicious and original flavor.

Crumble the baked lemon ricotta cheese on top of a salad for some extra protein. It pairs well with fresh greens, nuts, and fruits. So, take your pick and enjoy your reinforced salad.

I use baked lemon ricotta cheese in a variety of dessert recipes, such as cheesecakes and tarts, or even as a filling for crepes. It adds a tangy sweetness that pairs well with other flavors, such as berries or chocolate. It’s a great and a little lighter substitute for mascarpone cheese, so it will do an excellent job if you need mascarpone and don’t have it at hand.

What to Make with Lemon Ricotta Cheese? 

Lemon ricotta cheese is an incredibly practical and delicious ingredient that you can pair with a variety of foods to create unique and flavorful dishes. From creamy pasta to creamy cake, lemon ricotta works on so many levels, enhancing whichever dish you add it to. It pairs wonderfully with both sweet and savory ingredients, making it a versatile choice for any meal. 

Lemon Ricotta Spread

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Using your lemon ricotta cheese as a spread is probably the most unimaginative idea on this list, but never underestimate simplicity, as the simplest things are those that work best. Try mixing your lemon ricotta with sour cream and spread it on toast or crackers. 

You can top the lemon ricotta layer with berries or cured meats, and you have a delicious breakfast or midday snack ready in a matter of minutes. 

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

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Nothing beats a stack of fluffy pancakes on a lazy weekend morning. Ricotta is a frequent solution for making pancakes fluffy and airy, so it is no wonder that lemon ricotta works so well in this situation. Adding lemon ricotta cheese to the batter is my not-so-secret pancake trick – not only does it give the pancakes a creamy texture, but it also imparts a subtle lemony flavor that will brighten up your day. 

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

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Although adding cheese to pasta doesn’t sound spectacular at all, this idea is nevertheless worth every chance. A lemon ricotta pasta dish is quick and easy to make yet packed with flavor. 

Cook your favorite pasta as you usually would. In a separate pan, sauté some garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil. Add a few spoonfuls of lemon ricotta cheese to the pan and stir until the cheese has melted and coated the pasta. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh basil. 

Adding another type of cheese, such as mozzarella, parmesan, or cheddar, cannot harm your dish, but serving it with only lemon ricotta is more than enough. Also, you can put the cheese and pasta mixture into the oven and make a baked pasta dish. Yum!

Toast 

The lemon ricotta toast is an excellent option for breakfast, lunch, or even a light dinner. Toast a slice of bread and add a generous amount of lemon ricotta cheese on top. Sprinkle with some lemon zest and honey, and enjoy your quick and sweet breakfast.

If you are more inclined toward savory toppings, you can add some sliced avocado, smoked salmon, or prosciutto for extra flavor and protein to your lemon ricotta toast.

Lemon Ricotta Cake

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If you’re looking for a dessert that’s not too sweet but still a dessert, lemon ricotta cake is perfect for you. You can either add lemon ricotta instead of mascarpone, in most places, for instance, if you are making cheesecake or simply add it to your cake batter for some extra fluffiness. 

Lemon ricotta cheese also works excellent for muffins, whereby you simply add it to your muffin batter. You will get a creamy and puffy dessert with extra flavor and virtually no added effort.

Dip

Lemon ricotta cheese mashes perfectly with dairy-based dips, such as cream cheese dip, sour cream, crème Fraiche, or creamy cottage cheese. This dip is perfect for snacking or as an appetizer for a party. Since you can make the dip from whatever you want, add a spoonful or two of lemon ricotta cheese to spice things up. 

You can also mix it with mayo-based dips, as well as an avocado dip. Feel free to experiment and improvise, as the odds of making a delicious dip are in your favor with lemon ricotta cheese.

Omelette 

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Whether you want something to start the day or need a midday boost, the lemon ricotta omelet may be just what you are looking for. Edgy, tangy, and rich lemon ricotta will enhance your omelet and give it a unique flavor dimension. 

You can, of course, make this omelet as you want it. Whether you mix only eggs and lemon ricotta or enrich the combination with other ingredients is entirely up to you. Mix and match!

Use It as Pizza Topping

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If you’re feeling particularly peckish and a tad creative, and looking for a unique and delicious pizza topping, try using lemon ricotta cheese. Add a generous layer of lemon ricotta cheese to your pizza crust, and add some cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a few drops of olive oil. 

For an even more decadent experience, mix some grated cheddar and lemon ricotta with homemade tomato sauce or marinara sauce and spread it onto your pizza crust. An amazing pizza experience!

Lemon Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are always a good idea to use any type of cheese, and for me, lemon ricotta is among the top three kinds of cheese for stuffed mushrooms. It is a simple job requiring minimum effort and nothing more than basic cooking skills. 

Just rinse the mushrooms, cut the stems, and mix them with grated or crumbled lemon ricotta cheese. Fill the mushrooms with this delicious and creamy filling and season them with fresh basil and perhaps oregano or another herbal spice you may like. Pop them into the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375°F, and that’s it!

Lemon Ricotta Dip with Fresh Fruit

If you are looking for a summer refreshment or a nutritious breakfast, look no further! Fix yourself a fresh fruit platter with your favorite fruits; any fresh fruit will do. Make your delicious lemon ricotta dip using lemon ricotta, of course, but also some sour cream or crème fraiche. 

I also recommend using dairy cream to make the dip creamier and adding some powdered sugar to the mixture to sweeten it up. It also works with no sugar, so this is a perfect refreshment if you’re minding your sugar intake. 

Bruschetta

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This appetizer is simple yet elegant and particularly delicious. For a fancier experience, toast slices of baguette, or just regular bread slices, if you don’t care about being fancy that much. 

In a mixing bowl, mix lemon ricotta cheese, some lemon zest, and chopped fresh basil, or other herbs you may like. Spread the cheese mixture on top of the toasted bread and top it with sliced cherry tomatoes and some balsamic cream.

Can You Eat Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese by Itself?

Yes, you can definitely eat baked lemon ricotta cheese by itself! Baked lemon ricotta cheese is both a delicious ingredient you can enrich your meal with, as well as a dish in itself you can enjoy. It also works excellent as a side for other foods. However, most people prefer combining lemon ricotta cheese as they find its flavor a bit too intense and naturally requires something to tone it down. 

Baked lemon ricotta, on its own, takes on a new appeal of flavor and texture. It is firmer and develops a slightly crispy crust on top, making it perfect for slicing and serving on its own. The lemon zest and juice added to the cheese mixture give it a bright and zesty flavor that will leave your taste buds either wanting more or a little bit overwhelmed.

When serving baked lemon ricotta cheese by itself, consider adding some toppings or garnishes to enhance its flavor and presentation, as well as tone it down a bit so that you and your guests can enjoy a more balanced taste. 

I usually add some fresh herbs when serving and presenting my baked lemon ricotta cheese. It makes all the difference – just sprinkle some fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, or parsley on top of the baked ricotta cheese for extra flavor and color. You can also throw in some herbs when baking the lemon ricotta so it absorbs them even more.

Nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios are an excellent addition to garnish and enrich your baked lemon ricotta cheese. In addition to some extra crunch, the nuts will infuse your lemon ricotta cheese with their nutty staple flavor, balancing it to perfection. 

Another great idea to enhance your baked lemon ricotta cheese is honey. Honey will add some discrete sweetness to the lemon ricotta cheese and balance out the tanginess. My friends all loved this the last time they visited; they said it tasted like a reward after a hard week!

If you want to decorate your baked ricotta cheese platter, add some fresh or dried fruits. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or dried figs, prunes, raisins, as well as cranberries will add style and flavor to your snack. You can even combine this idea with the previous one and add to the flavors!