Ricotta

In this extra cheesy, extra comforting meal, spaghetti pie meets an Italian classic: cacio e pepe.

This simple weeknight dish relies on zucchini ribbons instead of noodles, and is stuffed with a zippy ricotta-pea filling.

It's a pizza. It's a salad. Here, store-bought pizza dough gets this family-friendly dinner on the table in less than an hour.

The cheesecake has a little lemon in the filling, giving it a lovely hint of tartness. When topped with the velvety sweet curd, the flavors truly sing.

Polenta is often used as a neutral carb canvas for a rich sauce or braised meat, but here the creamy ricotta-and-spinach-enriched polenta is the centerpiece, with a simple little tomato salad on top for freshness. An egg on top is great, but optional.

Top this dense and decadent ricotta cheesecake with a crackly, crunchy almond candy for an easy and elegant presentation.

If you haven't mastered the Italian-American classic yet, now's the time to go on a journey to pasta nirvana.

With a simple "cheater's version" of ricotta gnocchi, this pasta dinner comes together easily on any weeknight.

For the best results, buy fresh full-cream ricotta. It's available at delicatessens and the deli counter of supermarkets.

Nothing feels more decadent than giant shells of pasta filled with creamy mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta.

Okay, this is actually a cheesecake, but it's so creamy and light that you won't care what it's called, you'll just ask for more.

Crisp-tender grilled green beans on a bed of creamy whipped ricotta is the ultimate simple summer side.

This cherry salsa recipe is also delicious as a condiment for grilled or roast pork or pulsed in a food processor to make a vinaigrette for a salad of tender greens.

This simple pasta delivers big on bright summer flavor, and gives you a good excuse to work through some of that zucchini surplus.

If you have enough individual baking dishes, divide the shells and sauce among them, then top with cheese, keeping in mind that you might need a little more cheese to top individual servings than is called for in the recipe.

This so-good-you-won't-believe-it's-healthy pie is covered in pesto and cheese and topped with a veritable salad of peas, crisp asparagus ribbons, zucchini, leeks, and watercress.

Get an extra jolt from your breakfast by putting espresso powder in the waffle batter.

This hearty salad combines roasted parsnips, hazelnuts, fresh orange, and crisp lettuce for a bright, refreshing vegetarian dinner.

Zucchini ribbons take the place of pasta in this naturally gluten-free vegetarian casserole.

Change up your typical pasta casserole with these fun vegetarian lasagna rollups—they’re like individually portioned mini lasagnas. The pasta tends to soak up a lot of the liquid while it cooks, so you’ll want to reserve about a half jar of marinara sauce to add at the end for a properly saucy dish.

A bright tangle of shredded Brussels sprouts, raisins, and pine nuts tops silky ricotta in this snappy, satisfying toast.

Turn any extra hardy greens or herbs you can find in your fridge into dinner tonight with this pesto pasta.

Think gnocchi are too time-consuming to make during the week? Think again!

Arranging the carrots in a geometric pattern transforms this savory tart into a truly show-stopping side or appetizer.