I absolutely love ricotta cheese! It all started when I took a trip to Italy in 2022 with my girlfriend (her family is Italian) and we had the pleasure of trying some of the best ricotta cheese in Sicily, the southern island of Italy. The creamy texture and mild flavor had me hooked from the first bite. I knew I had to find a way to bring a piece of that experience back home with me. But, how to resemble the uncomparable flavors from Italian cuisine back in Los Angeles?
Since then, I’ve been on a mission to try as many different types of ricotta cheese as possible. I’ve tried smoked ricotta, which adds a nice smoky flavor to dishes. I’ve also tried herbal ricotta, which adds a fresh and bright flavor to recipes like pasta or tarts. I haven’t found the right one, and I was looking in the wrong places until I came across the right one in the fridge at my local Trader Joe’s, in Redondo Beach.
My Absolute Favorite Is This Trader Joe’s Ricotta Cheese
The Trade Joe’s Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. It’s creamy and smooth, with a subtle lemon flavor that adds a bright and refreshing twist to any dish. I love to use it as a spread on crackers or bread, or even as a topping for pasta and pizza. The lemon flavor is not overpowering, just a touch of freshness that goes great with many recipes.
Trader Joe’s Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese is the perfect ingredient to elevate any dish, and it’s a great addition to any cheese platter. But you should be quick, it’s only available during for some months, and I’m not sure if it’s coming back in the future (only as long as they can keep it in stock). So, don’t miss the opportunity to try it, you won’t regret it! This is one of the winning products of Trader Joe’s Costumers Choice Awards 2023, along this other amazing item like the Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, and the Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.
How to Use the Baked Ricotta Cheese
One delicious recipe you can make using Trader Joe’s Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese is Lemon Ricotta Pasta. To make this dish, you will need spaghetti or any other pasta of your choice, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and Trader Joe’s Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese. Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
Add the pasta to the pan with the garlic and red pepper flakes and toss to coat. Remove the pan from the heat and add in the Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese. Toss until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated. If the pasta is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Serve the pasta hot and garnish with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. This dish is a perfect balance of lemon and ricotta, and it’s a great way to use the Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese and add a touch of freshness to your pasta.