Easy Ricotta Bake Appetizer

This Easy Ricotta Bake Appetizer takes only 5 ingredients, just 30 minutes to make, and will impress any guest! The creamy ricotta when baked gets puffed up and golden – it’s paired perfectly with bread slices or crostini for dipping or spreading.

Why I Love It:

• 5 Ingredients – All you need is ricotta, eggs, parmesan, chives, and pepper flakes!
• Ready in 30 Minutes – Just a quick mix by hand then about 25 minutes in the oven.
• Creamy, Cheesy Appetizer – This ricotta bake is the ultimate appetizer for any cheese lover!

Ingredients

• Whole Milk Ricotta
• Eggs
• Grated Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated is best
• Fresh Chives – thinly sliced
• Red Pepper Flakes

How To Make Baked Ricotta

1. Prep – Get the oven preheating and spray a 1.5-2qt baking dish with cooking spray
2. Mix Dip – In a large bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until well combined.
3. Transfer to Dish – Transfer the ricotta mixture to the baking dish and sprinkle with a little extra parmesan cheese.
4. Bake – Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the ricotta has puffed up and is golden brown on top.
5. Serve – Serve warm with bread or crostini.

Variations

• Individual Ricotta Bakes – Instead of using a larger baking dish (1.5-2qt), you can use smaller baking dishes (such as .25qt cocottes) to make individual servings. All you need to do is lower the baking time accordingly.
• Other Herbs – Instead of the chives, try other fresh herbs like fresh thyme.
• Lemon – For a citrus spin, try adding a teaspoon or so of lemon zest to the mixture.

Equipment

• Large Bowl and Wooden Spoon or Rubber Spatula – The great thing about this recipe is you don’t need an electric mixer! You can easily mix it up by hand.
• Baking Dish – Pictured is a 1.5-2qt baking dish, but you can use other sizes (see Variations section)

Leftovers and Reheating

Although it’s best served immediately after baking, leftovers can be stored in the fridge (covered or in an airtight container) for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating the leftovers in the oven until warmed.

Recipe Tips

• Bake Time – It needs to be baked for at least 15 minutes (so the eggs are cooked), but the total bake time will vary on how ‘set’ you want the dish to be or if you want it to be creamier. I like the texture at 25-30 minutes – it is set up enough, but still can be spread on bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Ideas

• Sliced Baguette – Lightly warmed or even toasted
• Crostini
• Crackers
• As part of a full charcuterie and cheese board

Other Appetizer Recipes

• Roasted Red Pepper Dip – It is similar to Romesco sauce and is made from roasted red peppers, garlic, almonds, basil, red wine vinegar, some spices, and oil. It’s great paired with veggies or your favorite crackers for dipping.
• Air Fryer Crab Cakes – They are crunchy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside, and super flavorful.
• Peach Ricotta Crostini – Other than a quick grill (or toast in the oven) of the bread slices, there is no cooking required. Super impressive for a dinner party but super simple to make.
• Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip – Cheesy, creamy, rich, and super easy to make! It’s the perfect appetizer for your next game day or any party. 

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