Determine whether to freeze the ricotta cheese. Frozen ricotta has a grainier texture once it’s defrosted. Avoid using it in recipes that call for fresh ricotta. Appropriate uses are in baked or cooked recipes like lasagna, stuffed shells, and pancakes.
If the ricotta cheese is unopened, leave it in the original packaging and place it in a resealable freezer-safe plastic bag. Or, you can freeze it in smaller quantities if you don’t think you’ll use it all at once: see step 3.
Stir the cheese. Divide it into small sizes (like 1/2 cup servings) or freeze it all together. Remember, you cannot re-freeze the cheese, so having smaller sizes is helpful if you don’t plan to use it all at once. Place the cheese into a sealed, freezer-safe container with as little air as possible, or wrap it in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe plastic bag.
Use a permanent marker to label the ricotta cheese with a “use by” date that is 2 months in the future. If using a plastic bag, partially seal the bag, then use a straw to suck out all the air from the bag.
Place the ricotta cheese in the freezer for up to 2 months. Place the ricotta cheese in the refrigerator for 24 to 36 hours to defrost it. Once thawed, stir. Use within 2 days. Keep in mind, it will have a grainier consistency than the original texture of the cheese.