ricotta

noun

ri·​cot·​ta ri-ˈkä-tə How to pronounce ricotta (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The eggplant is first salted then quickly dipped in flour and egg batter, rolled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and Parmesan then baked, not deep-fried, with a judicious amount of tomato sauce. John Mariani, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Snacks were available in the galley all night and my lemon and ricotta hotcakes breakfast was rich and hearty, accompanied by a banana, coconut and mango smoothie. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Be sure to use high-quality, whole-milk ricotta for the best results. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025 Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, lasagna, anything with ricotta cheese, and red sauce have reappeared at restaurants all over town. Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ricotta

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ricotta was in 1617

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Cite this Entry

“Ricotta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ricotta. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

ricotta

noun
ri·​cot·​ta ri-ˈkät-ə How to pronounce ricotta (audio)
: a soft, white Italian cheese

More from Merriam-Webster on ricotta

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