Ricotta cheese tastes delicious and can be used in a variety of dishes. It is very delicate in consistency and contains five times more calcium than cottage cheese. It is an expensive ingredient with a short shelf life.
So the most frequent question is, how can you store the leftover? However, when it comes to storing leftover ricotta, that can last for a couple of days, so only freezing the ricotta cheese seems the only option.
But storing cheese in the freezer is a controversial issue, as many people say it can be frozen while others say it’s best to discard the leftover ricotta cheese. So what’s to do? Please don’t get confused; in this article, we are going to know everything about frozen ricotta cheese.
So, can you freeze ricotta cheese?
Yes, you can freeze ricotta cheese in refrigerators at the temperature of O degrees Fahrenheit without any worry. But one thing you must be aware of is that it is best if eaten fresh. After freezing, its taste remains the same only its texture is affected by frost.
However, frozen ricotta cheese works great in baked and cooked dishes and is alright for most other uses, including eating with a spoon.
While freezing ricotta cheese in refrigerators, you must consider how you are storing it. Like, if you have to freeze seal pack ricotta that you have not opened yet, you can freeze it as it is.
But if ricotta cheeses have been opened, place it in a baggie, squeeze the air out as much as you can, seal it carefully and then place it in the freezer.
However, if you want to freeze it for a more extended period, like 2 or 3 months, it will be best to double the bag.
No doubt you can store ricotta cheese in the refrigerator, but please be aware that frozen cheese will have a somehow different texture.
However, this minor change doesn’t matter a lot, and you can still use it in various dishes like soups, lasagna, and other recipes that require cooking.
What happens if you freeze ricotta?
Ricotta cheese is an excellent ingredient to a variety of fruits and makes a yummy topping on bagels, sweet rolls, and Italian bread.
Because ricotta cheese melts quickly, it can also be used in pasta recipes and some other recipes like ravioli, tortellini, cannelloni, and manicotti, and in many desserts, cheesecakes, and cookies, muffins, tarts, and pies.
As we have come to know that freezing ricotta cheese is not an issue. However, after freezing, some liquid will be separated on the surface. But its taste will not change.
However, there may be a minor change in its texture, but it’s not that bad, and this ricotta cheese can still be used in most recipes.
How to store ricotta cheese?
Freezing ricotta cheese is super simple that will take a few minutes. If the cheese container is unopened and unexpired, then you can simply put it in the refrigerator.
But if you are storing a leftover ricotta cheese, then take some freezer-friendly containers and follow some of the given simple steps.
- Take a spoon and stir ricotta so the cheese will store more eventually.
- After removing the cheese from the container, press it down to drain with a paper towel or dishtowel.
- Wrap ricotta cheese in plastic wrap as whole or individual portions using an ice cube tray.
- Then place the ricotta cheese in a freezer bag and be sure to squeeze out all the air.
- Then it’s best to label the container with the date. Place these bags in the freezer, and it’s best to use them within 2 to 3 months.
- Suppose, when storing in large quantity, it’s best to freeze it in smaller, single-serving batches. So you will not end up with leftover thawed ricotta.
Note: it is highly recommended not to refreeze thawed ricotta cheese.
Can I freeze the ricotta cheese mixture?
Yes, why not? You can also freeze any ricotta cheese mixture. Even freezing ricotta cheese mixture can give you better results as compared to freezing cheese by itself.
For instance, if you have made ravioli fillings with ricotta cheese and other ingredients in large quantities, then you can perfectly freeze leftovers into the refrigerator.
When you thaw, there will be only excess liquid on the top that you will have to remove; otherwise, it will be completely good.
How long is frozen ricotta cheese good for?
If you have appropriately stored the ricotta cheese, it can last up to 3 months in freezers. If you have stored it longer than that, it’s likely still fine, but the texture may be slightly changed.
If the ricotta cheese is kept at a very cold temperature, it can last for longer. That’s why it is highly recommended to store it at the very back of the freezer or at the very bottom to keep it fresh.
As ricotta cheese can be frozen in refrigerators for up to three months; but you can also freeze them longer if you follow some simple steps, including;
- Make sure that ricotta cheese is fresh when bought. If it is near the expiry date, it may not last as long as possible.
- By tightly sealing the whole packet of ricotta cheese, you can freeze it for more than a month.
- If ricotta cheese is left in a container, take it out and place it in the freezer bag. But before sealing, make sure to get all the air out from the bag.
- If you want to store ricotta cheese in the container, then place the container in heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.
- Also, ensure that freezer stays at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below.
One very important thing to know is the temperature of the freezer that matter a lot. So always check the temperature to keep your cheese fresh.
Can you use frozen ricotta cheese in lasagna?
Ricotta is a creamier cheese with lots of calories that works great in many dishes included lasagna. After freezing ricotta cheese, as its texture changes, so it is good to use it in cooked and baked dishes. As lasagna is usually cooked well, using frozen ricotta cheese in it will prove great.
Can I freeze Philadelphia cream cheese?
Cream cheese can be frozen no matter which brand it is. So, you can easily freeze Philadelphia cheese, but its texture will be changed. Instead of creamy and smooth, the Philadelphia cream cheese will become thinner and chunky. So it suits more in cooked and baked dishes.
Philadelphia cream cheese and ricotta cheese are similar, and both are very soft and creamy. However, Philadelphia cream cheese is made with cream and milk and contains higher fat than ricotta, which makes ricotta cheese more in demand. Moreover, ricotta’s calcium and protein levels are higher than in Philadelphia. More, Philadelphia is a little bit thicker than ricotta cream, and it is less fluffy than ricotta cheese.
Can you use expired ricotta cheese?
Ricotta is a versatile dairy product that is usually used in a variety of dishes. But what if the ricotta cheese you are having is expired? No problem, one good thing is that you can still use it if it is completely sealed.
Hence, unopened ricotta cheese can last for a couple of days past the expiration date printed on the container. So feel free to open it and use it.
How long is ricotta cheese good after the expiration date?
No doubt, you can use expired ricotta cheese, but be sure that it must be used within 3 to 5 days once it is opened. The faster you use it, the better the quality it will give.
You should know that ricotta cheese is made with ingredients that can separate a bit. So many people get worried about seeing water or gel-like substance on the top when they open it.
But, it’s all fine, and you should not worry about seeing it. You just have to stir it well to use it.
But if you feel any smell from ricotta cheese or its color turns yellow, it means it has gone bad, and you must throw it away.
How do you use frozen ricotta cheese?
After freezing, ricotta cheese can be used in so many dishes. However, there may be some liquid separated on the surface of the cheese, you can simply throw this liquid away, or you can simply stir that liquid back into your cheese, now your ricotta cheese is ready to use again.
Thawed ricotta cheese works great in recipes like Eggplant Involtini, Italian Pie, and Ricotta Cavatelli.
Remember, defrosted ricotta cheese in the refrigerator can be kept in refrigerators for additional 3 to 4 days before use. But if the ricotta cheese is thawed on the microwave, then it must be used immediately.
Here is another recommendation: you should always thaw ricotta cheese in the refrigerator and not thaw it at room temperature because this can put the cheese to bacterial contamination.
Thawing it may take 24 hours; once softened, stir it well, and use it where you want.
