Whipped Ricotta Dip with Lemon

If you are looking for an easy ricotta recipe or a really easy dip, this whipped ricotta dip with lemon is for you! This lemon ricotta dip is so easy to make and takes just 2 ingredients, lemon and ricotta! This ricotta dip has a naturally light sweet flavor from the fresh ricotta and the lemon is just a classic combo to add to it. Serve this whipped ricotta dip with crostini , on top of an Italian galette or with fresh fruit. Anyway you serve it, it will be amazing!

About this ricotta dip

If you are new to whipped up creamy cheeses, you are in for a treat! This whipped lemon ricotta dip is a ricotta dip that is made by adding ricotta cheese, a little lemon juice and some lemon rind to a food processor and blending until smooth. It is great as an appetizer or as a light meal.

This whipped ricotta is the perfect quick dip to make for entertaining or when you want a light meal during the warmer months. It is just so light and refreshing.

I first tried this ricotta dip in Italy and fell in love. I think just the sheer simplicity along with how good it tasted is what really made me love it.

I love really simple recipes and 2 ingredients is as simple as any recipe can get.

If you love ricotta like I do (my biggest obsessions being lemon ricotta cookies , Italian lemon ricotta cake and Italian ricotta pie), then you should really try this recipe.

What does this whipped ricotta dip taste like

This whipped lemon ricotta dip has a slightly sweet flavor which comes from the whole milk ricotta cheese. In addition to the sweet cream flavor of the ricotta, the lemon is not overly strong and compliments the sweet ricotta cheese perfectly.

I would not say this is a sweet dip. Just a natural sweet flavor from the cream. In fact, this whipped ricotta is delicious served with a salty crostini or sweet fruit like strawberries, blackberries, etc.

Ingredients needed

Now I have already mentioned the only two ingredients needed for this really easy whipped ricotta dip but just in case, here they are again 🙂

Ricotta cheese: You really should use whole milk ricotta cheese if you can. This type of ricotta is the creamiest and tastiest.
Lemon: You will be using the juice and the rind for the lemon flavor in this ricotta cheese dip.

That is it!

whipped lemon ricotta dip in bowl on a plate

How to make this whipped ricotta dip

If you thought the ingredients were simple, you are in for a treat when you see how easy this ricotta dip is to make.

Here is what you will need to do:

Measure out the ricotta and lemon from the recipe card below and add all of this to a food processor. Mix until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes or until you are happy with the texture.

Scoop out the lemon ricotta dip into a bowl and use right away or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To make the crostini for this whipped lemon ricotta, just follow these steps below. Here is what it looks like:

Add good quality sliced Italian bread to a sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil over the top and place under the broiler for about 1-2 minutes a side or until golden brown.

Making this toasted bread for this delicious whipped lemon ricotta is similar to the way I enjoyed it in Italy. The restaurant I had this at actually served the whipped ricotta alongside focaccia bread.

It was so decadent and amazing but since focaccia takes a bit longer to make, this version with bruschetta bread is my everyday side I like to serve with it. If you want to make the bread, I have a whole post on the best bread for bruschetta that will walk you through the steps.

Variations

This whipped lemon ricotta has a beautiful creamy texture making perfect as a dip or a spreadable topping. If you have more time, you can make a slightly drier version of this whipped ricotta by placing the ricotta in cheesecloth and drape it over a bowl in the fridge overnight.

This will allow some of the moisture in the ricotta cheese to drain out, leaving a much drier ricotta to whip up.

Another variation is you can omit the lemon and add in your favorite flavor. Maybe honey for a whipped honey ricotta.

Try it as is and also remember to experiment!

What to serve with ricotta dip

If you are looking for some ideas of what to serve with this lemon ricotta dip, here are some ideas:

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Faqs

Why is my whipped ricotta too thin?

If you add too much liquid to the whipped ricotta it will become too thin. To avoid this, you can dry out the ricotta the night before in a cheesecloth or adjust the amount of liquids in the recipe.

What do you eat ricotta with?

Ricotta is a delicious sweet Italian soft cheese that pairs so well with sweet or savory foods. We love to serve ricotta with crostini or fruit but it can be used in place of any soft cheese in a recipe.