Baked Ricotta

If you are a fan of spreadable baked cheese appetizers, like a baked brie, then you must give baked ricotta a try! It’s a very simple recipe with just a few basic ingredients. The key to really making this recipe special is fresh herbs. The herbs that I prefer using are fresh thyme and oregano, along with grated parmesan for that slight nutty flavor, and salt and pepper to taste. This alone would work well as nice appetizer spread over crostini or used as a dip for crackers. But the real fun happens when you start to incorporate some toppings. Ricotta is a versatile cheese, compatible with fruits and vegetables, drizzles of honey or glazed balsamic, or additional fresh herbs. Anything from apples and strawberries, to tomatoes, sage and rosemary would all work beautifully. My personal favorites are crisped prosciutto, sun dried tomatoes and drizzled honey.

You can bake the ricotta in either one baking dish, or separate into three to four ramekin dishes. I’ve done it both ways and both work well. The baking dish may work better as a party appetizer, where your guests could help themselves. The ramekins offer more of a personalized touch that you can place out for two to three people to share at a time. Yo could also refrigerate any unused ramekins and reheat it when ready. For this post I am using three ramekins, but the recipe measurements will also work well in a small sized baking dish.

Baked Ricotta

1 16 ounce container whole milk ricotta
1 large egg
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 1 tablespoon for topping
1 teaspoon fresh chopped oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix the egg, ricotta, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, herbs and salt and pepper. Mix well.

Divide the mixture between three to four ramekin dishes, or spoon it all into one baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and drizzle the top with olive oil. Serve warm with toasted crostini (see below) or crackers.

Toasted Crostini

To prepare toasted crostini, slice a French baguette into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices. Place the sliced bread on a baking sheet and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Place the tray in the oven during the last 15 minutes that the ricotta is baking. Remove when golden brown, making sure the crostini doesn’t burn. You can either plate the crostini loose, allowing everyone to add the baked ricotta spread themselves, or you can top the crostini with the ricotta before serving.

Crisped Prosciutto

One of my favorite toppings for baked ricotta is crisped prosciutto. Tear about 4-6 slices of prosciutto into pieces. Place the pieces onto a small baking sheet and place in the oven during the last 10 minutes that the ricotta is baking. Crisp it up to your liking, making sure it doesn’t burn. Spread the crostini with the baked ricotta, then top with a piece of prosciutto, or whatever other toppings you prefer! Pictured below are my favorite varieties: crisped prosciutto, sun dried tomatoes and drizzled honey.