Can I freeze ricotta cheese?

I think it might change the consistency, but don’t quote me on that.

I frozen it and used it in casseroles and it worked just fine. I don’t know about using frozen ricotta in other dishes.

” Freezing ricotta cheese will change its character, but frozen cheese is still usable.

Ricotta cheese does not take kindly to being frozen. This type of baking and cooking cheese is commonly used in Italian dishes including lasagna and cannolis. Ricotta cheese is sold in portions which may be too big for your meal. Freezing the ricotta cheese will not spoil it, but it will change its texture. Gourmet chefs will not freeze ricotta cheese, but the average homemaker on a budget may successfully freeze cheese for future use.”

Source

Thanks – I had read the same thing that @marinelife posted, but I was hoping to hear from someone who had done it. Since I’m planning to use it in a casserole, it shouldn’t matter too much if it’s not exactly the same once it’s been thawed. Thanks again!

Ricotta has a high moisture content both inside the kernels and between them. That is why freezing permanently denatures it. You are better to do the extra cooking while it is fresh and freeze the cooked dish. I know this is true from the experience of others.

@Dr_Lawrence – I would have done the extra cooking if my oven and freezer were big enough to do so. Anyway, I froze what I had left over; we’ll see what happens. It’s not a huge deal if the texture is different.

@Seelix Yes, please do come back on here and let us know how the cheese looks, tastes and feels on the tongue when you thaw it out (before you use it in another dish). I am very curious to see how it fares. I love ricotta cheese!

@Seelix- The texture will simply be a little more “gritty” than before you froze it. (I have done it before.) It takes more egg or whatever other mix-ins you use to keep a creamy texture. I didn’t think the texture change was offensive.