Cheese is an excellent source of protein. Single Serve Baked Ricotta is the perfect consistency and protein source for a patient after weight loss surgery.
I heard a surgeon once give a patient a hard time because she was eating ricotta cheese. Patients often assume they can’t eat any cheese after surgery. I guess this surgeon did too! I disagree.
Yes, cheese does contain varying amounts of fat and therefore calories, but cheese is a great source of protein. Better yet cheese is soft and often tolerated after bariatric surgery.
This baked ricotta recipe is under 150 calories. I don’t think that bad at all!
Tips to make single-serve baked ricotta:
- Use ramekins and a measuring cup to portion out the ricotta cheese.
- Grease the ramekins with olive oil spray, not regular olive oil. You use less oil with the spray, which equals fewer calories.
- Use part-skim ricotta not whole milk to reduce fat and calories.
- Top the baked ricotta with a smooth marinara sauce not chunky if you are on the pureed stage.
- Many recipes call for extra cheese and olive oil on the top. I eliminated this to decrease fat and total calories. The marinara sauce in a lower fat/calorie choice.
Single Serve Baked Ricotta
Baked ricotta is a good source of protein and the perfect texture to eat during the pureed stage after weight loss surgery.
Servings: 5
Calories: 144kcal
Ingredients
- Olive Oil Spray
- 15- ounce Part-skim ricotta
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
- ⅛ tsp basil
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of Salt and pepper
- Optional top with marinara sauce smooth, not chunky
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray 5 ramekins with olive oil and place on a baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir ricotta mixture to fully combine.
- Place 1/4-1/2 cup of the ricotta mixture into the prepared ramekins.
- Top with 1 tablespoon of smooth marinara sauce.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.33cup | Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 106mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 379IU | Calcium: 310mg | Iron: 1mg
When you reach later stages try these recipes with ricotta cheese:
Products you may need: (affiliate links)
Husband and I have had the sleeve, Working on new 2 serving dishes .Your site follows our goals.
So glad you are finding helpful information.
Love love love had rny and its perfect
So glad you like it!
Just wondering if adding eggs would add extra protein after barriatric surgery? Also can this dish be frozen in portion size containers?
You can add eggs for additional protein. The texture will change as eggs will likely make the ricotta stiffer and thicker. You can freeze the dish in the portion size containers.
Thanks for this! It just saved my day. I’ve been craving pizza, but I’m still in the bread free zone. I tried tomato soup with unflavored protein & parmesan cheese, but this simple recipe hit the spot. Got the protein and flavor I was looking for. And I even used fat free ricotta.
Glad you enjoyed this dish.
I love this, it’s like lasagna without the noodles
Can this be frozen? Also how long do these keep in fridge?
You can keep the recipe in the fridge for no longer than a week. As far as freezing I haven’t tried it. Freezing ricotta may change the texture because of the moisture content. If you do freeze the recipe make sure you use an airtight container or wrap the cups well. I would only keep in the freezer for a month.
Do i need grated or shredded parmesan cheese?
You can use either.
I also add a scoop of unflavored protein powder to the ricotta.
What size ramekins? 6 or 2 oz
Has anyone tried this with buffalo sauce instead of marinara?
I also added chicken- yum!
I have not, but sounds yummy!
Totally delicious! Guilt free good for me food!
So glad you like it!
so glad I found this website I am book marking it now. God Bless you!
Thank you so much!
What size ramekin did you use? Thank you
I use either 2 ounce or 4 ounce.
Tomatoes trigger my migraines. I wonder if pesto would be an okay substitute for the topping? Thank you!
You can substitute anything you wish! I think pesto would be great.
Can these be baked in a muffin pan? And then store in individual containers?
I have not tried, but I would be concerned that the ricotta would just fall apart. There isn’t anything in them that would bind the cheese together like a muffin.
I baked them in muffin pans. They were perfect!
It was good! I know personally I’m not a fan of ricotta/lasagna or anything like that so I knew I wouldn’t love love it but not for the lack of flavor. Flavors were good!
Do u cover while baking?
No need to cover them.
What is the grams of protein. Cant wait to make it.
On the recipe, you will see the full nutrition info: 12 grams per serving.
How can I follow you? I have sleeve done in the morning and just love your recipes. You are a life saver to me. The plan I was given is so vague and generic. Thank you so much.
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If I sub ricotta for cottage cheese would this still be nutritional?
You can sub cottage cheese I suppose. It won’t be a ricotta bake anymore. Not sure how cottage cheese would taste with tomato sauce. Cottage cheese is a great source of protein. The nutrition content would change based on the different main ingredient of course.
How do you reheat after being in fridge or freezer?
The nutritional info listed is for serving size 1 1/3 cup? These are served in 4 oz ramekins, I’m confused. How much protein/calories in 4 oz?
So you can use a ramekin that holds at least 1/4-1/2 cup. The serving size is 1/3 cup because a 15-ounce container of Ricotta would give you 5 even servings of 3 ounces or 1/3 cup. The nutrition info is for 1 – 1/3 cup serving. I suggest a ramekin that is 1/2 cup (4 ounces or less in size).
Can you make the ricotta bake ahead?
You can bake the ricotta ahead and head up later. I haven’t tried to freeze them, so not sure how they would turn out.
I just had bypass done on 8/24 im so sick of this liquid diet and found this on pinterest as i dream about my next stage…in my soft food stage..will this be allowed? It WILL be the first thing i eat and can not wait! Lol
Generally, this would be ok on the pureed stage.
I start purée stage tomorrow, so I will look into this. It looks very good.