noun

ricotta

rih-KO-tuh

Ricotta (noun) means a soft, mild Italian cheese made from whey, similar in texture to cottage cheese. Example: “She spread ricotta on toast with a drizzle of honey.”

noun

A soft, mild Italian cheese made from whey, similar in texture to cottage cheese.

"She spread ricotta on toast with a drizzle of honey."

"The lasagne was layered with ricotta and spinach."

How to use ricotta

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA soft, creamy Italian cheese made from whey.

Common pairings

ricotta cheese ricotta and spinach

Word forms

ricottas plural, Ricottas plural

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She spread _____ on toast with a drizzle of honey.

Etymology

From Italian ricotta, literally "recooked," because the cheese is made by cooking the leftover whey a second time.

Origin: Italian

Rhymes for ricotta

cotta Motta terracotta

See all rhymes for ricotta →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ricotta” mean?

The word “ricotta” means a soft, mild Italian cheese made from whey, similar in texture to cottage cheese. In plain terms, a soft, creamy Italian cheese made from whey.

How do you pronounce “ricotta”?

“Ricotta” is pronounced rih-KO-tuh (/ɹɪˈkɑtə/ in IPA).

How do you use “ricotta” in a sentence?

Here is “ricotta” used in a sentence: “She spread ricotta on toast with a drizzle of honey.”

What part of speech is “ricotta”?

“Ricotta” is a noun.

Where does the word “ricotta” come from?

The word “ricotta” comes from Italian. From Italian ricotta, literally "recooked," because the cheese is made by cooking the leftover whey a second time.

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Vocabulary lists that include ricotta:

Words with Italian origins