The low-calorie rice pudding flan is so delicious by itself that you may want to save the calories and fat in the crust, and serve it without the pastry.
Handmade tortelloni stuffed with acorn squash, escarole, ham, and ricotta, finished in a buttery pecorino-tomato cream sauce. An Italian masterclass worth every minute.
A 10-minute dessert for two: sweetened ricotta studded with mini chocolate chips, layered with strawberry liqueur-soaked berries in stemmed glasses. Lighter than it looks and ready in a flash.
White pizza loaded with garlic-sautéed broccoli, ricotta, cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan on a sesame-edged crust. Three cheeses, one seriously good homemade pizza night.
Light, airy coffee cheesecake with ricotta, instant coffee, and fluffy egg whites on a honey-sweetened zwieback crust. A no-bake style set with gelatin for smooth, mousse-like slices.
Vegetarian lasagna with broccoli soup sauce, carrots, mushrooms, three cheeses, and eggs. A creamy white-sauce lasagna without traditional tomato sauce or meat.
Broccoli and cheese egg mixture baked in a fluffy pastry pie shell.
Low-carb lasagna swapping noodles for sliced zucchini, layered with a slow-simmered beef and red wine meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan. All the comfort, none of the pasta.
Sweet onion and ricotta cheesecake with cranberries and sage!
Sweet onion and ricotta cheesecake with cranberries and sage!
Light, puffy cheese toast made with ricotta and cream cheese on raisin bread. A quick toaster oven snack that bakes up golden in just 5 minutes. Weight Watchers friendly!
Place plain, nonfat yogurt into cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Place in strainer over a small bowl or cup. Allow to drain 2 to 24 hours, covered and refrigerated, until cheese reached desired consistency. Discard the whey (liquid). Store in covered container in refrigerator.
Homemade crepes filled with a vanilla ricotta and cream cheese filling, baked golden, and topped with fresh mixed berries. These lighter cheese blintzes are brunch royalty.
Pressure cooker ricotta cheesecake: a creamy Italian-style cheesecake with golden raisins and lemon zest, steamed to perfection in just 20 minutes under pressure. No cracks, no water bath fuss.
A layered vegetable lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, featuring both spinach and mixed vegetable fillings in a creamy béchamel sauce. Feeds eight in about an hour.
Extra cheese lasagne layers homemade pasta sheets with ricotta-spinach filling and a triple-cheese mix of provolone, mozzarella, and parmesan. A weekend project Italian classic for six.