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

Their concave shapes and generous size are perfect vessels for all kinds of fillings, from a rich, hearty meat ragù to lighter combinations like ricotta and seasonal vegetables. —Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026

Cirikovic makes everything from scratch, even the pastas (including ricotta gnocchi), and the soups that rotate, including Italian wedding, Pasta e fagioli, tomato bisque, lobster bisque, chicken and vegetables. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026

Unlike ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano suffers no historical silence. —Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

With lunchtime sandwiches like the broccolini panini, ricotta dumplings in the evening and one of the city’s most thoughtful, accessible wine lists, Henrietta is a destination-worthy neighborhood restaurant. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 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