Baked ricotta with basil, chilli and lemon
This baked ricotta with basil, chili, and lemon is a delicious and easy warm dip that can be whipped together in minutes. Serve with crackers or bread
Is there anything ricotta cant do? It’s one of the most versatile cheeses to use in savoury dishes or sweet desserts. On its own, it is fairly bland, but it sucks up all the flavours around it so beautifully. I simply love working with it.
If you plan carefully and are a little clever, you can quite easily make it yourself in advance. Check how to do it here.
Nothing makes me happier than knocking together a very simple dish using a few ingredients and making something delicious. This recipe is a fabulous and easy way to pack flavour into ricotta, turning it into a tasty spread or party dip. I used Parmesan-infused olive oil, which just made it more interesting, but a good extra virgin will work well too.
I had some of the ricotta leftovers and used it as a sandwich spread on a slice of whole-wheat bread. I added a few salad things – and frankly- it’s almost worth making it just to have that.
Recipe | makes about 1 cup
Baked ricotta with basil, chilli and lemon
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 - 2 cloves garlic crushed
- pinch dried chilli flakes
- 1/2 lemon zested
- 2 T lemon juice about 1/2 a small lemon
- 1 T finely chopped basil leaves
- 1 T olive oil or Parmesan-infused olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 C / 350 F.
- Mix all the ingredients together, checking to taste as you go, and adjust the seasoning to your taste. You might like more chili or lemon. Place in a small oven dish and back for 20 minutes until it just starts to turn brown.
- Drizzle more olive oil over the top and serve with crackers or bread.
Yip, just like that #easypeasy
You might like these other 2 baked cheese recipes:
baked camembert with crispy bacon and pepper
baked brie wrapped in parma ham and thyme
I look forward to connecting with you again in the future.
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Looks so good! I love baked brie and had never thought of baked ricotta!
I looooooove ricotta! I have used it so many ways but I have never heard of baking it before. What a great idea! Can’t wait to try it this weekend!
I loooove baked ricotta. Especially schmeared on some crusty crostini.
I love ricotta, these flavors are outstanding!
Wow this looks most delicious, what a wonderful flavour combo
i love the idea of baked Ricotta–will have to give it a try for the boys some time soon
Thanks Usha x
I love this idea. I wouldn’t have thought of that. Sounds like an amazing dip. Thanks :).
Emily
I am obsessed with ricotta lately! I will have to try baking it, thanks for the idea.
Have you tried making ricotta yourself Nicole? so easy.
I have made ricotta at home, in fact my latest post is Homemade Ricotta. It is so much easier than I ever would’ve expected … and tastes so much better than store bought!
Thanks for this recipe Sam, I made this last night for friends and it was perfect with some wine and french loaf.
Pleasure Gina, glad you enjoyed it.
I rushed off for the weekend with your recipe in mind – teaches one to print it out and take it along – I forgot the garlic and the chilli – drat! It was still lovely but it would have made it more zesty! I could not find basil – so used corriander – which was great with it! Thanks for the inspiration Sam!
Hey Pammy, great stuff, I think most herbs would work, but it needs the garlic and chilli me thinks.
I made this yesterday and it was delicious… I brought it to a party, served it with garlic crostini, and it was gone in minutes. Thanks!
Awesome Juliet – Im so pleased to hear 🙂
What are the crackers you picture in your photo with the ricotta dip?
HI LIsa – I think they are little fltabreads I purhcased frim a bakery that sadly is no longer.