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

This 15-minute appetizer starts with a toasty baguette slice that's covered with a creamy spinach-ricotta mixture and then topped with a slice of prosciutto. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026

Elsewhere, a sausage, egg, and chips has become a local favorite, while the wider menu moves comfortably between spinach and ricotta gnudi, seafood chowder and even soda-bread ice cream. —Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026

Pizza Kusina’s samantita pizza with spicy vodka sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, Calabrian chiles and Parmigano-Reggiano. —Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 8 Apr. 2026

The Mitchell’s menu includes steak frites ($29) and a cheeseburger with ricotta-berry jam ($16). —Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 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