Hot Ricotta Cheese Dip with Garlic and Thyme | Cooking Italian with Joe

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories, while cream cheese provides a similar creamy texture.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free option, while grana padano is a more affordable cheese with a similar flavor.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

In an oven-safe dish, add 32 ounces of whole milk ricotta cheese.

Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of hot red pepper flakes on top of the ricotta cheese.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt to the dish.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper to the dish.

Add 3/4 cup of grated parmesan reggiano to the dish, using a microplaner for a finer grind.

Add 2.5 to 3 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves to the mixture.

Press 1 clove of garlic into the mixture using a garlic press.

Chop 1/4 cup of freshly chopped flat Italian parsley and add it to the mixture.

Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the mixture.

Stir all ingredients together for about 2 minutes using a mini spatula to ensure everything is well combined.

Drizzle a little extra olive oil over the top of the mixture.

Sprinkle additional parmesan cheese over the top of the mixture.

Place the dish in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

For the last 10 minutes, switch to the upper broil to brown the top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens