Where Is Ricotta Cheese In Walmart + Other Grocery Stores?
Ricotta cheese is a delicious Italian whey cheese that is incredibly versatile and used in many recipes like lasagna, cheesecake, gnocchi, and more. But it can be frustratingly difficult to locate in large grocery stores like Walmart or Kroger where there are endless aisles and options.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover exactly where to find ricotta cheese in Walmart, Kroger, Publix, and other major grocery store chains. We‘ll also discuss some of the best store-bought ricotta cheese brands and give tips for selecting quality ricotta.
Locating Ricotta Cheese in Walmart
Walmart supercenters are massive, so finding specialty items like ricotta can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Here are some tips to pinpoint the ricotta cheese section fast in any Walmart store:
Check the regular dairy/cheese aisle – Look on the refrigerator shelves near the shredded cheese, Parmesan, and cottage cheese. Ricotta is often stocked in this area.
Try the specialty cheese section – Many Walmarts also have an area for gourmet/specialty cheeses like feta or gorgonzola. Look for ricotta here as well.
Use the Walmart app – Search for "ricotta cheese" on the app and it will tell you the exact aisle number and shelf where it‘s stocked at your local store.
Ask for help – Any Walmart associate should be able to point you towards the ricotta cheese location quickly. Save yourself some time wandering aimlessly!
Where to Find Ricotta Cheese in Other Grocery Chains
No matter what grocery store you shop at, ricotta can be found in the refrigerated dairy section:
| Grocery Store | Typical Ricotta Location |
|---|---|
| Kroger | Refrigerated cheese aisle near shredded cheese |
| Publix | Refrigerated cheese aisle near cottage cheese |
| Safeway | Refrigerated cheese section |
| Whole Foods | Artisanal cheese area |
| Meijer | Refrigerated dairy near sour cream |
| Costco | Near milk and yogurt, may need to ask staff |
In general, scanning the areas around the shredded cheese, Parmesan, cottage cheese, and sour cream is your best bet for locating ricotta fast. Many stores stock it in at least one of these refrigerator sections.
Best Store-Bought Ricotta Cheese Brands
Once you‘ve found the ricotta section in your grocery store, which brand should you buy? Here are two great options:
Galbani Deli Style Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
Galbani is a leading Italian cheesemaker, and their deli-style ricotta has an authentic texture and flavor. It‘s creamy and mild, perfect for all recipes. Many reviewers rate this as the best quality store-bought ricotta.
Great Value Ricotta Cheese
For a budget buy, Great Value‘s ricotta cheese is a customer favorite. It performs well in baking like lasagna or cheesecake. Just be sure to drain off any excess liquid for best results. At just a few dollars per container, this is a cost-effective choice.
Tips for Selecting Ricotta Cheese
Check the sell-by date – Pick the freshest container furthest from the expiration date
Drain the liquid – All store-bought ricotta tends to have extra moisture, drain it before using
Avoid gritty texture – Make sure ricotta is smooth and creamy, not grainy or runny
Select whole milk – For richest flavor, choose whole milk ricotta over part-skim
Store in refrigerator – Once opened, keep ricotta in the fridge for up to 1 week
Uses for Ricotta Cheese
Fresh ricotta cheese is delicious on its own, but it also shines in both savory and sweet recipes:
- Lasagna, manicotti, or baked ziti
- Pizza
- Cheesecake or cannoli filling
- Pancakes or crepes
- Fruit and ricotta salad
- Stuffed shells or ravioli filling
- Ricotta gnocchi
Because it‘s so mild, ricotta works well either as the star ingredient or blended into dishes to add creamy texture. It‘s much more versatile than heavily-salted cottage cheese.
Ricotta Cheese vs Cottage Cheese
While ricotta and cottage cheese are both fresh soft cheeses, they have some notable differences:
- Texture – Ricotta is creamier and smoother, while cottage cheese is chunkier with curds
- Flavor – Ricotta is delicate and mildly sweet vs cottage cheese being more salty and sour
- Fat content – Ricotta is higher in fat, giving it a richer taste
- Acidity – Cottage cheese is more acidic due to use of vinegar or citric acid
- Uses – Ricotta works better in desserts and creamy dishes
For savory items like lasagna, ricotta is usually the better choice over the chunky texture of cottage cheese. But cottage cheese makes a great high-protein snack or topping for salads.
How to Make Homemade Ricotta Cheese
It‘s actually quite easy to DIY ricotta cheese at home with just 3 ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
Instructions:
- Pour milk and cream into pot, heat to 200°F on medium stirring occasionally
- Once at temperature, remove from heat and stir in vinegar
- Let sit 5 minutes until curds separate from whey
- Drain through cheesecloth-lined colander, discard whey
- Enjoy fresh ricotta right away or store in airtight container up to 1 week
Making homemade ricotta yields a delicious fresh cheese with even better flavor than store-bought. Plus, it allows you to control the ingredients. Give it a try!
Conclusion
I hope this guide has helped eliminate some frustration over finding ricotta cheese the next time you shop at Walmart, Kroger, or any major grocery store. With the tips here, you‘ll be able to easily locate the ricotta section and select the best brand for your needs. Ricotta is such a useful ingredient for both sweet and savory recipes. Now go create some delicious lasagna, cheesecake, or gnocchi with your fresh ricotta!
