This delightful Giada Whipped Ricotta with Greens feels like a breath of fresh air in a bowl—it’s that good. It’s made with simple ingredients like whole-milk ricotta cheese, fresh basil leaves, and extra-virgin olive oil, and the flavors are just incredible.

It takes 30 minutes to prepare, which gives me just enough time to set the mood with springtime vibes while it’s cooking. It’s my favorite light meal because it’s delicious and so easy to make. I like to serve it as a side dish or light lunch—it never disappoints.

Recipe Ingredients

For the Whipped Ricotta

• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese, chilled
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

For the Greens

• 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (see Cook’s Note)
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on the size
• 18 sugar snap peas (about ¼ pound), trimmed and cut in half
• 3 cups baby kale or frisée

How To Make Giada Whipped Ricotta with Greens

Prepare the Whipped Ricotta

1. Whip the Ricotta: Using a food processor or blender, whip the ricotta for about 30 seconds until it becomes light and smooth. Stop and scrape the sides, then give it a few more pulses until it reaches your desired creaminess.

Make the Dressed Greens

1. Dress the Greens: In the same food processor (no need to wash it first), combine the basil, pine nuts, white balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes. Process until the basil is finely chopped and everything is well mixed.
2. Add the Olive Oil: With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing comes together into a smooth and creamy sauce.

Assemble the Salad

1. Spread the Ricotta: Divide the whipped ricotta across the bottom of each plate or serving dishes. Don’t worry about a perfect layer – just eyeball it.
2. Top with Dressed Greens: Place a spoonful of the dressed greens salad onto each plate, leaving a small border of ricotta showing around the edges. Add cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas to your heart’s content!

Recipe Tips

• Green Selection: Experiment with various leafy greens, like kale or spinach, to change up the dish’s flavor profile; simply be sure to squeeze out any excess moisture before adding to the whipped ricotta.
• Flavor Boost: Herbs and Spices Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some chopped fresh herbs, like parsley or chives, to give the whipped ricotta an extra layer of depth and a pop of color, making it a visually appealing appetizer or side dish.
• Make it a Spread: Use this whipped ricotta as a tasty dip for crudités or pita chips, or as a spread on toasted bread or crackers for an easy and elegant snack or light lunch; its creamy texture pairs well with crunchy accompaniments.
• Add Some Crunch: Mix in some toasted chopped nuts or seeds, such as pine nuts or pumpkin seeds, to the whipped ricotta for a delightful textural contrast that complements the smoothness of the cheese.
• Pasta Filler: Use the whipped ricotta as a filling for homemade pasta, like ravioli or cannelloni, adding some grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley for an authentic Italian twist on this classic comfort food.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Giada Recipes:

• Giada Spicy Lamb Bolognese
• Giada Mushroom Toast
• Giada De Laurentiis Basic Risotto