ricotta

noun

ri·​cot·​ta ri-ˈkä-tə 

-ˈkȯ-

: a white unripened whey cheese of Italy that resembles cottage cheese

also : a similar cheese made in the U.S. from whole or skim milk

Examples of ricotta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The method in which they’re folded, either down the middle or the side, determines whether the filling is ricotta or pea. —AFAR Media, 2 Sep. 2025

Given the size of their brood, there is never a dull moment on their large family vacations – Luke’s mispronunciation of ricotta being one of them. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025

For light, traditional Italian options, the chocolate cannoli ($14) come in a set of three crunchy shells filled with fluffy chocolate ricotta, while tiramisu ($12) is available in classic and pistachio variants. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Spaghetti al nero is great and for dessert, try the cannoli with ricotta, pistachio or chocolate. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from feminine of past participle of ricuocere to cook again, from Latin recoquere, from re- + coquere to cook — more at cook

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ricotta

• biota
• iota
• lakota
• nonquota
• chota
• cota
• quota

Kids Definition

ricotta

noun

ri·​cot·​ta ri-ˈkät-ə 

: a soft, white Italian cheese