Creamy Baked Ricotta with Savory Mushroom, Shallot & Kale Topping

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this exceptionally creamy and utterly delicious Baked Ricotta featuring a vibrant Mushroom, Shallot, and Kale Topping. While it makes for an elegant and sophisticated vegetarian appetizer, its hearty nature and rich flavors also make it a perfect candidate for a delightful lunch or a light, satisfying dinner. This dish promises to be a memorable addition to your culinary repertoire, effortlessly blending rustic charm with refined taste.

The Irresistible Charm of Baked Ricotta

If you’ve never experienced the pure joy of baked ricotta, you’re in for an absolute treat. Imagine a dish that emerges from the oven puffy, golden, and incredibly soft, with a texture that’s simultaneously light and profoundly creamy. Baked ricotta is a revelation – a warm, comforting cheese dip that offers a more refined and comforting alternative to cold dips. It’s the kind of dish that feels luxurious yet is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a star player for both casual gatherings and more formal occasions.

The beauty of baked ricotta lies in its simplicity. When gently baked, the delicate milk cheese transforms, becoming even more luscious and spreadable. Its mild, slightly sweet flavor provides the perfect canvas for a myriad of toppings, allowing it to adapt to whatever culinary mood strikes you. In this recipe, we elevate the humble ricotta with a robust, savory topping that turns it into something truly extraordinary.

Crafting the Perfect Savory Topping

What truly sets this baked ricotta apart is the harmonious blend of earthy mushrooms, sweet shallots, and vibrant kale. This isn’t just a simple garnish; it’s a meticulously crafted topping that infuses every bite with a complex layer of savory goodness, transforming the creamy cheese into a truly unforgettable experience.

Earthy Mushrooms

Our topping begins with baby bella mushrooms, known for their rich, earthy flavor and firm texture. When sautéed until lightly browned, they release their deep umami notes, adding a satisfying meatiness to the dish without any actual meat. Their robust character pairs beautifully with the delicate ricotta, providing a delightful textural contrast and a grounding flavor profile. Feel free to use white button mushrooms or a mixture for varied textures and flavors.

Aromatic Shallots

Finely chopped shallots are the aromatic backbone of this topping. Milder and sweeter than onions, shallots offer a nuanced flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. Sautéed in a combination of butter and olive oil, they become tender and translucent, releasing their fragrant essence and building a flavorful foundation for the mushrooms and kale. Their subtle complexity is key to the topping’s sophisticated taste.

Vibrant Kale

Adding a touch of vibrant color and a boost of nutrition, chopped kale completes our savory triumvirate. Its slightly bitter notes provide a wonderful balance to the richness of the cheese and the earthiness of the mushrooms. Cooked just until wilted, the kale retains a slight chewiness, contributing both texture and a fresh, green element. If kale isn’t your favorite, fresh baby spinach leaves make an excellent substitute, wilting down even more quickly. Alternatively, for a purely mushroom-focused topping, simply add more mushrooms!

The Flavor Symphony

The magic happens when these ingredients come together in a skillet. A generous touch of garlic adds pungent depth, while kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper season the mixture to perfection. A splash of white wine vinegar brightens the entire topping, adding a delicate tang that cuts through the richness, and a pinch of red pepper flakes introduces a subtle warmth that lingers pleasantly on the palate. This thoughtful combination ensures every spoonful is bursting with flavor.

The Secret to Heavenly Baked Ricotta

The ricotta mixture itself is a masterpiece of simple yet powerful flavors designed to enhance, not overpower, the natural creaminess of the cheese. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that irresistible, fluffy texture and balanced taste.

Choosing Your Ricotta

For the ultimate creamy texture, always opt for whole milk ricotta cheese. Its higher fat content results in a far more luxurious and decadent bake compared to part-skim varieties, which can sometimes be watery or grainy when heated. The quality of your ricotta will directly impact the final dish, so choose wisely.

Zesty Brightness

A touch of freshly grated lemon zest is a secret weapon here. It provides a bright, aromatic lift that cuts through the richness of the cheese, adding a delightful “zing” without making the dish taste overtly lemony. This subtle citrus note invigorates the palate and enhances the overall freshness of the ricotta.

Herbaceous Notes

Dried oregano lends a classic Mediterranean warmth and earthiness to the cheese mixture, complementing the savory topping beautifully. Grated Parmesan cheese contributes a salty, umami depth that makes the ricotta even more addictive, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor that harmonizes with the other ingredients.

A Hint of Heat

Just a pinch of red pepper flakes is included to provide a gentle, warming kick. It’s not meant to be spicy, but rather to awaken the flavors and add a subtle complexity that makes you want to keep coming back for more. Along with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, these seasonings ensure a perfectly balanced and flavorful cheese base.

Once all these ingredients are combined, the mixture is poured into a buttered oven-proof dish and baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Within 25-30 minutes, it transforms into a puffy, golden-brown delight, ready to be topped with the savory mushroom, shallot, and kale mixture.

Serving Suggestions: More Than Just an Appetizer

While this Baked Ricotta with Mushroom, Shallot, and Kale Topping shines as a star appetizer, its versatility allows it to transcend that role effortlessly. Here are some ideas to enjoy this delightful dish:

• Classic Pairing: Serve it warm with slices of crusty ciabatta bread, a fresh baguette, or sourdough bread. The bread is perfect for scooping up generous portions of the creamy ricotta and savory topping.
• Crispy Companions: Offer an assortment of gourmet crackers or toasted pita bread for a satisfying crunch alongside the soft ricotta.
• Healthy Dippers: For a lighter option, provide fresh vegetable crudités such as cucumber slices, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, or celery.
• Elegant Lunch: Turn it into a sophisticated lunch by serving a larger portion alongside a crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette. It’s hearty enough to satisfy without feeling heavy.
• Simple Dinner: With a glass of your favorite white wine – perhaps a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Grigio – this dish makes for a wonderfully cozy and fulfilling light dinner. You could even serve it over a bed of creamy polenta or pasta for a more substantial meal.
• Brunch Star: Imagine this warm, savory dish gracing your brunch table, offering a unique and flavorful alternative to traditional sweet options.

Customizing Your Baked Ricotta Experience

One of the joys of cooking is the ability to adapt recipes to your personal taste and what you have on hand. This baked ricotta recipe is incredibly forgiving and open to creative modifications:

• Veggie Swaps:

  If kale or mushrooms aren’t your preference, don’t shy away from experimenting. Sautéed spinach, Swiss chard, finely chopped bell peppers, or even asparagus spears could make wonderful additions or substitutions for the topping. Just adjust cooking times to ensure they are tender.

• Cheese Variations:

  While whole milk ricotta is highly recommended for its texture, you could experiment with adding a tablespoon or two of soft goat cheese to the ricotta mixture for a tangier flavor, or some crumbled feta to the topping for a salty bite.

• Herb Alternatives:

  Feel free to play with the herbs in the ricotta mixture. Fresh thyme or rosemary, finely chopped, could add a different aromatic dimension. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives over the finished dish would also brighten the flavors.

• Spice it Up:

  If you enjoy more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes in both the ricotta and the topping. A dash of smoked paprika could also add a lovely depth of flavor.

• Nutty Crunch:

  For added texture, consider toasting a handful of pine nuts or chopped walnuts and sprinkling them over the finished dish.

Why This Recipe Will Be Your New Favorite

This Creamy Baked Ricotta with Savory Mushroom, Shallot, and Kale Topping is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor simple, wholesome ingredients transformed into something truly special. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for entertaining, and versatile enough to fit into any meal plan. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or simply looking for a new way to enjoy delicious, comforting food, this dish promises to deliver. Its combination of warm, creamy cheese and a flavorful, textured topping creates an experience that is both satisfying and delightfully elegant. Give it a try, and discover your new go-to appetizer or light meal!

Explore More Delightful Recipes from The Beach House Kitchen

If you’re looking for other fantastic recipes that are perfect for summer entertaining or simply to enjoy at home, be sure to check out some other favorites from The Beach House Kitchen:

• My Crab Melts offer a comforting and flavorful seafood option.
• The Olive Balls are a fantastic make-ahead appetizer, perfect for freezing and enjoying later.
• And for a refreshing and vibrant dish, my Texas Caviar is always a crowd-pleaser.

Baked Ricotta with Mushroom, Shallot and Kale Topping

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 6 servings

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Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

45 mins

Ingredients

Mushroom, Shallot and Kale Topping

• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/3 cup shallots, finely chopped
• 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
• pinch of red pepper flakes

Baked Ricotta

• 2 cups whole milk ricotta
• 1 1/2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

Mushroom, Shallot and Kale Topping

1. In a large skillet pan, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring often for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until lightly browned, about 7-8 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook for one minute.
2. Season well with salt and pepper and continue to cook for a minute more, then add kale and white wine vinegar and simmer 2 minutes until kale is wilted, stirring often. Remove from heat.

Baked Ricotta

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ricotta, lemon zest, oregano, one tablespoon olive oil, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Pour into a buttered 2-cup oven-proof dish. Drizzle with remaining one tablespoon olive oil. Bake until puffy and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
2. Serve the baked ricotta with warm ciabatta bread slices and the warm mushroom, shallot and kale topping.

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizer

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