Can I Eat Ricotta When Pregnant?

Can you eat ricotta when pregnant? The short answer: Yes — ricotta is safe in pregnancy if it is made from pasteurised milk. Ricotta is a smooth, creamy soft cheese used in everything from pasta fillings and cheesecakes to pancakes and dips. It is a popular ingredient in home cooking and restaurants, and the good news is that UK supermarket ricotta is almost universally made from pasteurised milk.

Quick Answer

Ricotta in pregnancy: Yes — pasteurised milk ricotta is safe, and cooked ricotta is always safe

Ricotta sold in UK supermarkets is made from pasteurised milk and is safe to eat throughout pregnancy. When ricotta is used in cooked dishes — lasagne, baked pasta, stuffed vegetables — it is safe regardless because cooking eliminates any bacterial risk.

Why Does Pasteurisation Matter for Ricotta?

Listeria is a bacterium that can survive at fridge temperatures and, in pregnant women, can in rare cases cross the placenta and cause serious illness in the baby. Pasteurisation destroys listeria and other harmful pathogens, which is why the NHS recommends checking that soft cheeses are made from pasteurised milk.

Ricotta made from pasteurised milk — which covers almost all ricotta in UK supermarkets — is safe to eat cold or hot during pregnancy. Ricotta made from unpasteurised milk is the variety to avoid, but this is uncommon in the UK and will be clearly stated on the label.

NHS Guidance on Ricotta

The NHS guidance focuses on two main categories to avoid: soft mould-ripened cheeses (such as brie, camembert, and chèvre with a white rind) and cheeses made from unpasteurised milk. Ricotta does not have a mould rind, and supermarket ricotta is pasteurised, so it does not fall into either category.

As with all soft cheeses, cooking ricotta makes it even safer. Any dish where ricotta is baked or heated — lasagne, stuffed pasta shells, cheesecakes baked in the oven — is completely safe because the heat eliminates any bacteria that might be present.

Ricotta is a good source of protein and calcium, and it is lower in fat than many other cheeses, making it a nutritious choice during pregnancy. Its mild, creamy flavour makes it easy to use in both sweet and savoury dishes.

How to Eat Ricotta Safely

• Check the label — supermarket ricotta will state "pasteurised milk" in the ingredients, which is what you want to see. This is standard for UK supermarket products.
• Cooked ricotta is always safe — when used in lasagne, baked pasta, stuffed cannelloni, oven-baked cheesecakes, or any hot dish, ricotta is safe regardless of type because the cooking temperature destroys bacteria.
• Cold ricotta in salads or on toast — fine to eat as long as it is made from pasteurised milk and within date.
• Store correctly — keep ricotta in the fridge, use within the use-by date, and once opened use within a couple of days. It spoils relatively quickly due to its high moisture content.
• Ricotta from delis or artisan suppliers — if buying fresh ricotta from a specialist Italian deli, check whether it is made from pasteurised milk, as artisan products are more variable.

Ricotta works well in spinach and ricotta pasta, as a filling in cannelloni, as a lighter alternative to cream cheese on toast, and in desserts. It is one of the more versatile and pregnancy-friendly ingredients in the kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as long as it is baked. A baked ricotta cheesecake is cooked at high temperature, which makes it completely safe. A no-bake ricotta cheesecake made from pasteurised ricotta is also safe, but ensure the ricotta is pasteurised and that the dish is refrigerated and consumed within a day or two. If the cheesecake also contains raw eggs, that adds a separate consideration — check whether the eggs are British Lion-stamped, which are safe to eat runny or raw in pregnancy.

Is spinach and ricotta pasta safe in pregnancy?

Yes. Spinach and ricotta pasta — whether homemade or from a supermarket — is safe during pregnancy when properly cooked. Baked versions (such as stuffed pasta shells in the oven) are particularly straightforward. Ensure the dish is piping hot all the way through before eating.

What if I accidentally ate ricotta made from unpasteurised milk while pregnant?

Do not panic. The risk from a single exposure is generally low. Watch for any symptoms of listeriosis in the days and weeks following — these can include fever, flu-like aches and pains, nausea, or diarrhoea. If you feel unwell or are concerned, contact your GP or midwife and let them know what you ate. In the vast majority of cases, a one-off exposure causes no harm.

Always speak to your midwife or GP if you have specific concerns about your diet during pregnancy.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Related articles:

• Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Vitamins
• Healthy Diet in Pregnancy