Crock Pot Ricotta Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the milk and acid (white vinegar, lemon juice, Champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar) in the crockpot and heat on low until temperature reaches 180 degrees F. (At 7,000 feet or above, bring it to 172 degrees F.) If heating on a stove top use a heavy pan and very low heat. It takes about 30 minutes. (Do not try to hurry this process; the milk might scorch on the bottom of the pan and you'll have brown specs in the cheese.).
• Once the temperature has reached 180 degrees, remove from heat, cover and seet aside in a warm place (80 - 100 degrees F) for about six hours. The cheese is ready to strain when a solid curd has formed.
• Strain through several layers of dampened cheese cloth or a fine metal strainer; discaring the whey (the watery residue).

Steps:

• Mix ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Brown meat in large skillet; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and water.
• Spoon 1 cup meat sauce into a slow cooker; top with layers of half each of the noodles (broken to fit) and cheese mixture. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles (broken to fit), cheese mixture, and meat sauce. Cover with lid.
• Cook on LOW until liquid is absorbed, 4 to 6 hours. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan; let stand, covered, until melted, about 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Combine milks in crockpot. Turn on low and add acid agent. Stir well. Cook six to eight hours (the longer cooking time will start to add a bit of color to the cheese); it is very subjective and dependent on your crockpot, so watch carefully. The curd should be solid, and it should have a good cooked-milk smell.
• Turn off the crockpot and wrap the whole thing in several layers of towels. Let stand undisturbed for another 6-8 hours. Line a colander or mesh strainer with damp paper towels or damp cheesecloth. Spoon the curd into the colander and let drain; you can reserve the whey for various purposes (roses love it) or discard it. Don't rush the draining if you want a thick, soft cheese.
• Pack into containers; you can stir in flavorings or salt before packing if so desired. It will stay fresh for about 4 days, up to 7 days in a very cold refrigerator.