If you grew up in an Italian or Italian-American household, chances are you've heard ricotta referred to as pot cheese.
But why that term?
It Starts in the Pot — Literally
The term pot cheese is a literal nod to how ricotta was traditionally made: in a pot over the stove. Unlike aged cheeses, ricotta is a fresh, soft cheese made from the whey left over after other cheeses (like mozzarella or provolone) are produced. That whey is heated gently in a pot until soft white curds form and rise to the surface — hence the phrase re-cooked, or ri-cotta in Italian.
So in the most old-world, no-frills sense: it was cheese made in a pot — and that's all it needed to be called in those early kitchens.
From Italian Farmhouses to American Kitchens
Generations ago, Italian immigrants brought these cheese-making traditions to the U.S., often adapting them with what they had available. Many Italian-American families used basic tools — big enamel pots, slotted spoons, and pillowcases as cheesecloths, to make their own ricotta at home.
And while store-bought ricotta became more common, the term “pot cheese” lingered, lovingly passed down along with handwritten recipes for lasagna, stuffed shells, and Sunday manicotti.
More Than a Cheese — A Cultural Time Capsule
Calling ricotta pot cheese was about more than the cooking method. It was a symbol of:
Resourcefulness and traditions
Family - passing down recipes in kitchens filled with laughter and love
Even today, the name evokes a certain simplicity and warmth, the kind you can’t quite buy in a store.
Where Ricottaware™ Comes In
At Ricottaware™ we created our nostalgic containers as a tribute to that legacy — where the same container that once held fresh ricotta could later store Sunday sauce, homemade cookies, or those famous meatballs Nonna sent home with you.
So whether you call it ricotta or pot cheese, you’re carrying on a tradition rooted in love, warmth, and homemade memories.
Fun Fact:
Ricotta is technically not a cheese in the strictest sense. It's classified as a dairy byproduct since it’s made from whey. That didn’t stop Italian grandmothers from calling it cheese or from turning it into unforgettable meals.
Start Your Own Tradition
Love the story behind pot cheese?
Bring that legacy home with our nostalgic Ricottaware™containers — perfect for leftovers, gifting, or simply honoring the Italian way of doing things: with love and plenty of food.