Name: Olive Ricotta Dip: The Ultimate Guide to a Delicious Appetizer
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients: 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese, drained; 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped; 1/4 cup pitted green olives, roughly chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; Crusty bread, pita chips, or vegetables for serving

Olive Ricotta Dip: Prepare to be transported to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean with this incredibly simple, yet utterly irresistible appetizer! Imagine the creamy, dreamy texture of fresh ricotta cheese mingling with the briny, savory notes of olives, all drizzled with golden olive oil. It’s a flavor explosion that will have your guests begging for the recipe.

While the exact origins of Olive Ricotta Dip are difficult to pinpoint, the combination of ricotta and olives is a staple in Italian cuisine, particularly in regions like Sicily and Puglia. These areas are known for their high-quality ricotta, often made from sheep’s milk, and their abundant olive groves. The simplicity of the dish reflects the Italian philosophy of using fresh, local ingredients to create something truly special.

But what makes this dip so universally loved? It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The creamy ricotta provides a smooth, comforting base, while the olives add a salty, briny kick that awakens the palate. A drizzle of good olive oil brings everything together, creating a luxurious and satisfying experience. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make! With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to elegant dinner parties. It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients:

15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese, drained
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped
1/4 cup pitted green olives, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Crusty bread, pita chips, or vegetables for serving

Preparing the Olive Ricotta Dip

Drain the Ricotta: This is a crucial step! Place the ricotta cheese in a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Set the sieve over a bowl to catch the excess liquid. Let the ricotta drain in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even better, for an hour or two. The drier the ricotta, the thicker and more flavorful the dip will be. I usually press down gently on the ricotta with a spoon to help release more liquid.
Prepare the Olives: While the ricotta is draining, prepare the olives. I like to use a combination of Kalamata and green olives for a more complex flavor profile, but feel free to use your favorites. Make sure they are pitted! Roughly chop the olives into small pieces. You don’t want them to be too finely chopped, as you want to retain some texture in the dip.
Mince the Garlic: Mince the garlic cloves finely. You can use a garlic press or simply chop them with a knife. Be careful not to burn the garlic when you add it to the olive oil later.
Combine the Ingredients: Once the ricotta is drained, transfer it to a medium-sized bowl. Add the chopped olives, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. If you like a little heat, add the red pepper flakes.
Season to Taste: Season the dip with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remember that the olives are already salty, so start with a small amount of salt and add more as needed.
Mix Well: Use a spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the ricotta cheese watery. You want the dip to be creamy but still have some texture.

Chilling and Serving

Chill the Dip: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Chilling also helps the dip to thicken slightly. You can chill it for longer, even overnight, if you prefer.
Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the dip and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or oregano to suit your taste.
Serve: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and garnish with a sprig of fresh oregano, if desired. Serve with crusty bread, pita chips, or vegetables for dipping. I love serving it with toasted baguette slices or crudités like carrots, celery, and cucumber.

Tips and Variations

Use High-Quality Ricotta: The quality of the ricotta cheese will greatly affect the flavor of the dip. Look for whole milk ricotta cheese from a reputable brand.
Experiment with Olives: Feel free to experiment with different types of olives. Castelvetrano olives would also be delicious in this dip.
Add Other Herbs: In addition to oregano, you can add other fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary.
Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: For a richer flavor, add a few chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the dip.
Make it Spicy: If you like a lot of heat, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Add Lemon Zest: For a brighter flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dip.
Make it Vegan: Use a plant-based ricotta cheese alternative to make this dip vegan.
Serve Warm: While I prefer this dip chilled, you can also serve it warm. To warm it, simply heat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Be careful not to overheat it, as this can make the ricotta cheese separate.
Make it Ahead: This dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure to cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out.

Serving Suggestions

This Olive Ricotta Dip is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:

As an Appetizer: Serve it as an appetizer with crusty bread, pita chips, or vegetables.
As a Sandwich Spread: Use it as a spread for sandwiches or wraps. It’s especially delicious on a grilled panini.
As a Pizza Topping: Spread it on pizza dough before adding your other toppings.
As a Pasta Sauce: Toss it with cooked pasta for a quick and easy meal.
As a Crostini Topping: Spread it on toasted baguette slices for a simple and elegant appetizer.
With Grilled Meats: Serve it alongside grilled chicken, fish, or steak.
In a Charcuterie Board: Add it to a charcuterie board with other cheeses, meats, and olives.

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions with Explanations

Draining the Ricotta (The Key to Creaminess): Don’t skip this step! Ricotta cheese, especially the kind you find in most grocery stores, tends to be quite watery. If you don’t drain it, your dip will be thin and runny. Using a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth is the best way to remove the excess moisture. The cheesecloth prevents the ricotta from falling through the holes of the sieve. If you don’t have cheesecloth, you can use a clean kitchen towel. Make sure the towel is lint-free! The longer you drain the ricotta, the thicker the dip will be. I find that 30 minutes to an hour is usually sufficient, but you can drain it for longer if you prefer. Gently pressing down on the ricotta with a spoon helps to speed up the draining process.
Preparing the Olives (Flavor Explosion): The olives are what give this dip its distinctive flavor. I like to use a combination of Kalamata and green olives because they offer a nice balance of salty, briny, and slightly sweet flavors. Kalamata olives are known for their rich, fruity flavor, while green olives tend to be more briny and slightly bitter. However, you can use any type of olives you like. Just make sure they are pitted! Nobody wants to bite into an olive pit. Roughly chopping the olives is important because you want to retain some texture in the dip. If you chop them too finely, they will disappear into the ricotta cheese.
Mincing the Garlic (Aromatic Boost): Garlic adds a wonderful aromatic boost to this dip. Fresh garlic is always best, but you can use garlic powder in a pinch. However, the flavor won’t be quite as intense. Mincing the garlic finely is important because you don’t want large chunks of garlic in the dip. You can use a garlic press or simply chop the garlic with a knife. If you’re using a knife, be sure to mince the garlic as finely as possible.
Combining the Ingredients (The Magic Happens): Once the ricotta is drained, the olives are chopped, and the garlic is minced, it’s time to combine all the ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the drained ricotta cheese, chopped olives, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. The olive oil adds richness and flavor to the dip, while the lemon juice adds brightness and acidity. The oregano provides a fresh, herbaceous note. If you like a little heat, add the red pepper flakes.
Seasoning to Taste (The Final Touch): Seasoning is key to making any dish taste its best. Start with a small amount of salt and pepper and add more as needed. Remember that the olives are already salty, so be careful not to over-salt the dip. Taste the dip and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or oregano to suit your taste.
Mixing Well (Creamy Perfection): Use a spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the ricotta cheese watery. You want the dip to be creamy but still have some texture. Gently fold the ingredients together until they are evenly distributed.

Conclusion:

This Olive Ricotta Dip isn’t just another appetizer; it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen, and trust me, you absolutely need it in your life. The creamy ricotta, the briny olives, the bright lemon zest it all comes together in a symphony of textures and tastes that will have your guests begging for the recipe. I’ve made this dip countless times, and it’s always the first thing to disappear at any gathering. It’s incredibly easy to whip up, requires minimal ingredients, and delivers maximum impact. What more could you ask for?

But the best part? It’s incredibly versatile! While I personally love serving it with toasted baguette slices for that perfect crunch, the possibilities are truly endless. Think about spreading it on crostini topped with a roasted red pepper for a pop of sweetness. Or, for a lighter option, serve it with an array of fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrots, and bell peppers. It’s also fantastic as a spread in sandwiches or wraps, adding a creamy, savory element that elevates your lunch game.

For a Mediterranean-inspired twist, try adding a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of good quality olive oil on top. If you’re feeling adventurous, a pinch of red pepper flakes will add a subtle kick. And for those who prefer a smoother texture, you can easily blend the dip in a food processor until it reaches your desired consistency. I’ve even experimented with adding sun-dried tomatoes for an extra layer of flavor the possibilities are truly endless!

Serving Suggestions:

* Toasted Baguette Slices: A classic pairing for a reason!
* Fresh Vegetables: Cucumber, carrots, bell peppers, celery sticks a healthy and refreshing option.
* Crostini: Top with roasted red peppers or a sprinkle of balsamic glaze.
* Pita Bread: Warm pita bread is perfect for scooping up this delicious dip.
* Crackers: Choose your favorite crackers for a quick and easy appetizer.
* Sandwiches and Wraps: Spread it on your favorite bread for a creamy and flavorful addition.

Variations:

* Mediterranean Twist: Add crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
* Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
* Sun-Dried Tomato: Incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor.
* Herbaceous Delight: Add fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme.
* Lemon Boost: Add extra lemon zest for a brighter flavor.

I truly believe that this Olive Ricotta Dip will become a staple in your appetizer repertoire. It’s the perfect dish to bring to a potluck, serve at a dinner party, or simply enjoy as a delicious snack on a cozy night in. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and prepare to be amazed by the incredible flavor of this dip.

I’m so excited for you to try this recipe! Once you do, please come back and share your experience in the comments below. Let me know what variations you tried, what you served it with, and how much everyone loved it! I can’t wait to hear all about your culinary adventures. Happy dipping!