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

Originating in Catania, Sicily, pasta alla Norma pairs caramelized eggplant with a silky tomato sauce, then tops it with fresh basil and ricotta salata. — Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026

Cara Mangini spoons these luscious tomatoes over crostini that she’s smeared with goat cheese or ricotta, then tops each with extra basil. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 18 July 2026

Here, the menu runs from light ricotta ravioli brightened with lemon to a suckling pig dressed with achiote, sweet potatoes, and marjoram. — Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese, and hearty spinach are what help make this vintage recipe one of our favorite throw-together casseroles for weeknights. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 July 2026

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