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Here’s my go-to ricotta grilled cheese sandwich recipe, with creamy ricotta, melty cheese, and perfectly toasted bread that gets golden brown and crispy on the outside.
These sandwiches have become my kids’ favorite lunch on weekends. I often make extra because everyone always asks for seconds. And let’s be honest – who doesn’t love a good grilled cheese for an easy dinner too?
Why You’ll Love This Ricotta Grilled Cheese
- Quick and easy – These sandwiches come together in just 20 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners or quick lunches.
- Elevated comfort food – The combination of creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella takes the classic grilled cheese to a whole new level, while keeping that cozy comfort food feeling.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients that you can easily find at any grocery store – perfect for last-minute meals.
- Customizable – This recipe is easy to adjust to your taste – add more herbs, switch up the cheese blend, or adjust the spice level with red pepper flakes.
What Kind of Ricotta Should I Use?
For a truly great grilled cheese, choosing the right ricotta makes all the difference. Whole milk ricotta is your best bet here – it’s creamier and richer than part-skim varieties, which can be a bit watery and grainy. Fresh ricotta from a specialty shop or Italian deli will give you the smoothest, most luxurious results, but good-quality supermarket ricotta works well too. Just make sure to drain off any excess liquid before using it – you can do this by letting it sit in a fine-mesh strainer for about 30 minutes. If your ricotta seems too wet, you can also give it a gentle press with a paper towel to remove extra moisture.
Options for Substitutions
This fancy grilled cheese is pretty flexible and you can switch things up based on what you have in your fridge:
- Ricotta cheese: If you’re out of ricotta, you can use cottage cheese (just drain and blend it smooth first) or cream cheese softened at room temperature. The texture will be a bit different, but still tasty!
- Mozzarella: Feel free to swap mozzarella with provolone, fontina, or even mild cheddar. Any good melting cheese will work here.
- Basil: No fresh basil? Try dried basil (use 1 teaspoon), or swap in other fresh herbs like oregano or thyme. You can even use pesto (about 2 tablespoons) instead.
- Mayonnaise: Mayo helps create that golden crust, but butter works just as well. Just make sure it’s softened so it spreads easily on the bread.
- Thick bread: Any sturdy bread works here – sourdough, Italian, or country white are all good options. Just avoid very thinly sliced bread as it might not hold up to all the cheese.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making ricotta grilled cheese is managing the heat – cooking too hot will burn the outside while leaving the inside cold, so keep your pan at medium-low heat and be patient. A common mistake is spreading the ricotta mixture too thick, which prevents it from warming through properly – aim for an even, moderate layer and make sure to season the cheese mixture well before spreading. To prevent a soggy sandwich, avoid pressing down too hard with your spatula while cooking, as this can squeeze out the delicious cheese filling and create an uneven texture. For the crispiest results, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise (not butter) on the outside of your bread, and cook each side for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is just starting to melt.
What to Serve With Ricotta Grilled Cheese?
This Italian-inspired grilled cheese pairs perfectly with a bowl of warm tomato soup – it’s like they were made for each other! A simple green salad with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the sandwich. For a more substantial meal, serve it alongside some crispy sweet potato fries or a cup of roasted red pepper soup for dipping. If you’re feeling extra hungry, add some marinated artichoke hearts or pickled vegetables on the side to cut through the creamy cheese.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These ricotta grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed right off the griddle when they’re warm and gooey. If you have leftovers, wrap them in aluminum foil or place in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Make Ahead: You can mix the ricotta cheese filling (ricotta, mozzarella, garlic powder, salt, pepper flakes, and basil) ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This makes assembly super quick when you’re ready to cook!
Warm Up: To bring back that fresh-made taste, warm up leftover sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side. You can also wrap them in foil and heat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. I’d skip the microwave – it tends to make the bread soggy.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 850-950
- Protein: 35-40 g
- Fat: 50-60 g
- Carbohydrates: 70-80 g
Ingredients
- 6 slices of thick bread
- 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons grated mozzarella
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, as needed
- Red pepper flakes, as needed
- 3 tablespoons finely sliced basil
- 1 tablespoon set aside for topping
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
Step 1: Make the Ricotta Mixture
Begin by combining 3/4 cup of ricotta cheese, 3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, a pinch of salt, red pepper flakes to taste, and 2 tablespoons of chiffonade basil in a bowl.
Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
Adjust the seasoning as necessary to suit your taste.
Step 2: Prepare the Bread
Take 6 thick slices of bread and spread 1 tablespoon of mayo on the pan side of each slice.
This will help the bread achieve a golden, crispy crust when grilled.
Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches
Divide the ricotta mixture evenly among the bread slices, spreading it onto what will become the interior layer of each sandwich.
Place the top slices of bread over the filling, ensuring the mayo-coated sides are on the outside.
Step 4: Grill the Sandwiches
Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
Add the sandwiches to the pan and cook until the bread reaches your desired level of crispness.
Carefully flip the sandwiches to cook the other side, ensuring even browning and crispiness on both sides.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once the sandwiches are golden and crispy, remove them from the pan.
Serve them hot with a sprinkle of the reserved chiffonade basil on top.
Accompany your grilled ricotta cheese sandwiches with a side of pesto for an extra layer of flavor.