How to Store & Freeze Ricotta Cheese

Store and freeze ricotta cheese with satisfactory results.

People with a taste for Italian food will usually recognize the creaminess and light taste of ricotta cheese as it blends with the meats and tomato sauces of an Italian dish. Ricotta is a soft cheese that comes from the whey from making hard cheeses. When you combine this whey with milk and heat it, ricotta cheese results. Store ricotta cheese in the refrigerator or freeze it with satisfactory results.

Things You'll Need

• Refrigerator
• Larger plastic container (with lid) (optional)
• Aluminum foil (optional)

Instructions

Refrigerator

1. Place the sealed ricotta cheese container in the refrigerator, noting the “purchase by” date stamped on the container.

2. Keep a tightly sealed ricotta cheese in the refrigerator for up to one week past the “purchase by” date.

3. Remove the container from the refrigerator and open it to assess the contents. Do not use ricotta cheese with visible mold or if you detect a spoiled odor.

Freezer

1. Place the sealed ricotta cheese container in the refrigerator. Add an additional layer of insulation around the container, if you desire, by placing it into a second sealed container or by wrapping the container with aluminum foil.

2. Keep the ricotta cheese in the freezer for up to one month.

3. Thaw the ricotta cheese in the refrigerator for at least eight hours. Stir the ricotta cheese well before you use it because the cheese may separate slightly. This separation will not affect taste.

References

• North Dakota State University: Food Storage Guide
• North Dakota State University: Food Freezing Basics