Can You Freeze Ricotta Cheese – How To Freeze Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is one of those ingredients that I did not normally keep in my fridge.  Unfortunately when I would have a craving to cook up some Italian favorites, I would be stuck with a grocery store run. And let’s face it, lasagna absolutely needs the tangy cheesy goodness of ricotta cheese – no substitute will do.

So, after a little research, I was overwhelmed by the delicious recipes available that use ricotta cheese.  From savory to sweet the versatility of this cheese is remarkable.  Ricotta cheese has definitely earned itself a permanent place in my fridge.  I will say however that sometimes I have gotten over zealous in my purchases and brought home more ricotta cheese than I could ever use up by its freshness date.

Can You Freeze Ricotta Cheese?

Ricotta cheese is a whey cheese that can be frozen while sacrificing only a tiny bit with regards to texture.  Thawed ricotta cheese is probably best used in cooked recipes such as lasagna or sauces.

How To Freeze Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese will freeze and remain good in the freezer for at least three months if care is taken in the process.  If the cheese is in its original packaging it may be put straight into the freezer.  If you are using ricotta from an open package or want to create single use portions to freeze, then freezer bags are the best option.  Be sure to remove as much of the air as possible to prevent any freezer burn.  Double bagging the ricotta is also a good idea to protect the delicate cheese.  If you choose to use containers to hold the ricotta cheese make an airtight seal and put the container into a freezer bag.  Be sure to always date the containers/bags.

Thawing the frozen ricotta cheese will take about two days in the refrigerator so plan ahead as you can’t really rush the process.  There may be some liquid whey that has separated once the ricotta cheese is thawed.  Simply stir it back into cheese with a spoon or mixer.

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