Ricotta Cheese:
Grams to Cups
By Stefan Ulrich · Last updated
One cup of ricotta cheese weighs 246 grams. Soft, creamy, and mildly sweet, ricotta is a cornerstone of Italian baking — essential in cannoli filling, sfogliatelle, cheesecake, and light, pillowy ricotta pancakes.
How much Ricotta Cheese weighs at each cup measure.
Convert Ricotta Cheese
1 cup = 246 grams
= — grams
= — cups
Quick reference
Measurement Table
| Cups | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 5 g | 0.18 oz |
| 1 tbsp | 15 g | 0.53 oz |
| ⅛ cup | 31 g | 1.09 oz |
| ¼ cup | 62 g | 2.19 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 82 g | 2.89 oz |
| ½ cup | 123 g | 4.34 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 164 g | 5.78 oz |
| ¾ cup | 185 g | 6.53 oz |
| 1 cup | 246 g | 8.68 oz |
| 1¼ cups | 308 g | 10.86 oz |
| 1½ cups | 369 g | 13.02 oz |
| 2 cups | 492 g | 17.35 oz |
| 3 cups | 738 g | 26.03 oz |
About Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is a whey cheese made by re-curdling the whey left over from other cheese-making processes. Its delicate, slightly grainy texture and mild dairy flavor make it one of the most versatile cheeses in baking. At 246 g per cup, it's similar in density to sour cream and slightly lighter than cream cheese.
Whole-milk ricotta is the standard for baking, providing a rich, creamy texture. Part-skim ricotta has a drier, grainier consistency and less fat, which can make baked goods like cheesecake less smooth and lush. Low-fat or fat-free ricotta is not recommended for baking as it adds too much moisture without the fat needed for structure.
The moisture content of ricotta varies considerably between brands and types. When using ricotta in a filling (such as cannoli or cheesecake), draining excess moisture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth for 30–60 minutes prevents a watery final result. For ricotta pancakes or muffins (where moisture is welcome), use it straight from the container.
Fresh ricotta has a shorter shelf life than aged cheeses. Use within 2–3 days of opening. For baking, choose ricotta with the most days remaining before its best-before date to ensure the freshest flavor and safest results.
Tips for measuring Ricotta Cheese
- Drain in a strainer for 30–60 min when using in fillings to prevent watery results.
- Use whole-milk ricotta for baking — part-skim creates a drier, grainier texture.
- Bring to room temperature before mixing for smoother incorporation.
- Check the moisture level: drain if watery, use as-is for moist pancake batters.
- Ricotta can be very wet or very dry depending on the brand, so it is worth weighing it for cakes and cheesecake.
Common mistakes
- Using part-skim or fat-free ricotta in cheesecake — it lacks fat for smooth, rich texture.
- Not draining when making fillings — excess moisture makes cannoli and pie fillings watery.
- Measuring cold, dense ricotta without checking if it has separated — stir first.
- Using a loose spooned ricotta in a recipe that expects a packed or drained amount will shift the texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many grams in a cup of Ricotta Cheese?
- 1 cup of Ricotta Cheese weighs 246 grams — the standard used in most American recipes. Use the converter above for any other amount.
- How many grams is ¼ cup of Ricotta Cheese?
- ¼ cup of Ricotta Cheese weighs about 62 grams. The full table above lists every common cup fraction.
- What's the most common mistake when measuring Ricotta Cheese?
- Using part-skim or fat-free ricotta in cheesecake — it lacks fat for smooth, rich texture. Weighing on a kitchen scale avoids it entirely.
- Should Ricotta Cheese be measured cold or at room temperature?
- Temperature barely changes the weight of ricotta Cheese, but a liquid measuring cup read at eye level gives the most accurate result.