This Creamy Baked Ricotta with Roasted Tomatoes is full of delicious lemon and garlic flavours.
Just mix and bake the cheese mixture alongside the tomatoes before enjoying a tasty homemade appetiser!
I’m often asked how to use ricotta. This is a mild, fresh cheese that baffles those who aren’t accustomed to using it. When very fresh, particularly if homemade, this cheese is excellent simply drizzled with olive oil, salt, and pepper. However, tuck it into hollowed-out vegetables like to make Stuffed Zucchini or Mushrooms. Or go sweet with this amazing Crumble Cheesecake or a Sweet Dip.
Ingredients needed for Baked Ricotta.
This recipe relies on simple but good ingredients. You will need-
- smooth ricotta
- Parmesan cheese
- garlic
- olive oil
- dried oregano
- grated lemon rind
- salt
- pepper
What is smooth ricotta?
Smooth ricotta is the same as the fresh ricotta you’ll find in a basket. However, the whey is not drained but blended back into the ricotta. This creates smooth, creamy ricotta you can use for dips, cheesecakes, stirring through pasta and many other recipes. The smooth ricotta I have used in this recipe is not fancy or expensive. You will find smooth ricotta easily in the supermarket.
Can I use fresh, drained ricotta in this recipe?
Sure! Fresh, drained ricotta can be used in this recipe instead of the smooth ricotta. Simply mix a few tablespoons of milk into drained ricotta to create a smooth texture.
This dip recipe is super easy and quick to make.
Only four very easy steps.
- Place ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, oil, lemon rind, dried oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Mix well.
- Spoon into oiled baking dish.
- Smooth the top, then sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese and bake until golden.
What to do if your Baked Ricotta doesn’t brown.
The top of this dip will never be burnished brown – ricotta is just not that type of cheese. However, if you want a bit more colour on the top of your Baked Ricotta just put it under the grill/broiler for a couple of minutes until it colours a bit more.
Roasted Tomatoes pair perfectly with Baked Ricotta.
These Roasted Tomatoes require no attention whatsoever. Firstly a drizzle of olive oil then a sprinkle of salt, before you bake these tomatoes alongside the ricotta. I like to use the truss tomatoes because I think they look gorgeous but go for whatever you find. If you choose larger tomatoes, cut in half and place cut side up in a baking tray and roast exactly the same way.
Serve Baked Ricotta with Tomatoes as part of an antipasto platter, cheese board or grazing platter.
Why not make a meal of it? Surround the baked cheese with roasted tomatoes plus olives, raw or blanched vegetables, dried fruit, nuts, assorted charcuterie and bread. Such a crowd-pleaser but above all, that’s easy entertaining!
If you need a quick and easy appetiser, then look no further because this is the recipe for you. This Baked Ricotta with Roasted Tomatoes ticks all the boxes and I know you’ll love it.
Baci,
Do you need easy entertaining recipes? Here’s my top picks.
Warm Marinated Olives
Puff Pastry Twists with Prosciutto and Parmesan
Sweet Ricotta Dip
Watermelon, Togaroshi, Feta & Mint from Another Food Blogger
Easy Chocolate Brownie Bites from A Baking Journey
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels from She Loves Biscotti
Artichoke Olive Tapenade from Sweet Caramel Sunday
Caprese Bread Tartlets from It’s Not Complicated
Strawberries and Chocolate Ganache from KJ’s Food Journal
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Baked Ricotta with Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 cups smooth ricotta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 3 teaspoons grated lemon rind or 1 lemon - rind finely grated
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese extra
Roasted Tomatoes
- 250 grams cherry, baby or grape tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°. Oil a two-cup capacity ovenproof dish.
Prepare tomatoes for roasting while ricotta bakes
- On a small baking tray or ovenproof dish, place the tomatoes. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Set aside.
Prepare ricotta for baking
- In a bowl place ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, crushed garlic, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, lemon rind, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Spoon cheese mixture into the oiled ovenproof dish and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese.
Cook ricotta and tomatoes
- Place the ricotta and the prepared tomatoes in the oven
- Bake 15-20 minutes. It will be jiggly but that's correct.
- Tomatoes will soften and skins will wrinkle when they are roasted. Ricotta should start browning in patches. If it doesn't, you can pop it under the griller/broiler to brown a little more.
- Drizzle Baked Ricotta with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
- Serve warm Baked Ricotta and Roasted Tomatoes with toasted ciabatta.
Oooohhhh, lemony! Great ingredients here. I’ve baked ricotta with slices of chile peppers on top. So good! I love how versatile of an ingredient ricotta is.
I love the recipe for the baked ricotta! What a nice base for your roasted tomatoes. I need to bring an hors d’oeuvre to a party tomorrow, so I hope to get some fresh ricotta at the farmers market and make this. Right now, the tomatoes are just starting to come in so I think I will be in luck on all fronts.
I love recipes like this baked ricotta that are a little different, easy to put together, and can feed guests at a casual get-together. Thanks!
How delicious and ideal for entertaining is this? I am so excited to try it! Pinned 🙂
Wow this looks fabulous Marcellina! I love the idea of serving it with the roasted tomatoes. It sounds like it is the perfect pairing. Yum, I can’t wait to try it.
I absolutely love appetizers with ricotta! I can’t wait to make this dish with my fresh garden tomatoes. Thanks so much for sharing my recipe for Smoked Salmon Pinwheels Marcellina 🙂