Creamy, festive, crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer
If you’re looking for an easy, elegant, and budget-friendly appetizer to wow your guests this season, a Ricotta Cheese Board is an absolute must-have. This creamy, lightly sweet, and perfectly spreadable holiday board is ideal for Christmas Eve gatherings, date nights, or last-minute hosting. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can create a beautiful presentation that feels gourmet without the price tag. Whether drizzled with honey, paired with roasted vegetables, or topped with fresh herbs, ricotta brings a soft, cloud-like texture that everyone loves. It’s the perfect blend of cozy, festive, and effortless—exactly what busy hosts need during the holidays.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 6–8 as an appetizer
📝 Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey (plus more for drizzling)
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 cup roasted cherry tomatoes (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup marinated olives
- ½ cup grapes or sliced pears
- ¼ cup toasted nuts (almonds or walnuts)
- Fresh basil or thyme for garnish
- Assorted crackers, toasted baguette slices, or veggie sticks
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Serving board or platter
- Small bowls or ramekins
- Butter knife or small spreader
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring spoons
- Spoon for drizzling honey
📘 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Whip the ricotta — Add ricotta, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Whip with a spoon for 30–45 seconds until smooth and fluffy. 😍
- Spread onto your board — Spoon the whipped ricotta directly onto your serving board or into a shallow bowl, creating soft swoops.
- Arrange toppings — Add roasted tomatoes, olives, nuts, and fruit around the ricotta. Aim for color balance and a mix of textures.
- Add a glossy finish — Drizzle ricotta with extra honey or olive oil. The surface should look creamy and slightly glossy. ✨
- Serve with crackers or bread — Place toasted baguette slices, crackers, or veggie sticks around the board.
- Garnish — Scatter fresh basil or thyme for a pop of color and festive aroma. 🌿
💡 Pro Tips
- Make ahead: Whip the ricotta up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate; assemble the board right before serving.
- Budget swap: Replace roasted tomatoes with sliced cherry tomatoes tossed in olive oil and herbs.
- Want it sweet? Add dried cranberries, figs, or cinnamon-spiced nuts.
- Want it savory? Add sun-dried tomatoes, marinated artichokes, or roasted garlic.