The easiest appetizer to prepare during the fall and winter season! Ready in about ten minutes, this easy Whipped Ricotta and Goat Cheese dip with Pancetta is the perfect dip for sweet and savory enthusiast. Filled with creamy ricotta, goat cheese, honey and topped with seared pancetta served on warm crusty bread. Prepare your taste buds for a flavorful explosion and watch your guests devour in enjoyment!
Nothing screams fall and winter than cozy meals that make the heart warm. This dip fits into that category and is the perfect addition to your fall and winter line up if wanting to serve tasty appetizers. Or, if you are craving a sweet and salty combo and don't have a lot of time, this appetizer is the perfect choice. With that said, there needs to be no hesitation with trying this recipe, keep reading and you will understand why.

What does Whipped Ricotta and Goat Cheese Dip with Pancetta Taste Like?
This is an awesome question. If you have never ventured in to specialty cheese, I can understand some hesitation with the combo of flavors but fear not. To explain, ricotta is a smooth cheese that is mild in taste. Ricotta has a low salt content so it is the perfect cheese to use in sweet and savory dishes.
You will find ricotta used in savory dishes such as lasagna or sweet dishes to lighten up a cake! Additionally, goat cheese is quite the opposite and to some may admit it has an acquired taste. Goat cheese has a robust and earthy flavor while the texture is somewhat crumbly and smooth. Identically to ricotta cheese, goat cheese too can be used in sweet and savory dishes. Goat cheese is a great addition to seared proteins such as chicken or pasta dishes and equally satisfying in sweet recipes paired with fruit.
Furthermore, with the combining of ricotta and goat cheese, salt, pepper and honey and lastly topped with salty pancetta? This dip creates the ultimate burst of flavor that is mild but lasting in flavor. To explain, this whipped ricotta and goat cheese dip is airy and fluffy in texture with a perfect combination of creamy, sweet and salty in flavor. Combining the mild ricotta with the goat cheese makes for the perfect mix that results in a satisfying flavor that is not overpowering. When adding the honey, it cuts the tartness of the goat cheese and adding just enough sweet notes. Lastly, the seared pancetta is the icing on this cake taking this dip to the next level. This pancetta was a last minute addition to this recipe and I could not be more happy with that decision.
What Ingredients are In This Recipe?

This recipe calls for simple and approachable ingredients. Together with the salty pancetta that can be easily substituted with bacon, you may have all these ingredients on hand! Here is what you will need.
- Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
- Herbed Goat Cheese (or plain)
- Honey
- Salt
- Pepper (optional)
- Garlic Paste (fresh garlic)
- Pancetta (bacon or meat stick)
- Crusty Bread (fresh Italian loaf bread)
Why is The Ricotta and Goat Cheese Whipped?
In reality you do not have to whip the cheese to make this dip but I am here to convince you to not omit this step. By whipping the cheese using a stand or hand mixer or whisk, this creates a light and fluffy texture that is beyond enjoyable. Not to mention, this ensures the ingredients are mixed evenly, in this recipe you want to achieve the best blend of ingredients. To explain further, by whipping the ricotta and goat cheese, a lot of air is created that in return makes the dip fluffy and thick.
Since this recipe takes little time to prepare, whipping the cheese may be the hardest step in this recipe. You will simply pour all the ingredients into a mixing bowl, mix or whisk and in under a couple of minutes, will have an impressive dip that is pleasing not only to the eye but palate as well.

How to Make Whipped Ricotta and Goat Cheese Dip with Pancetta
Begin by gathering the tools needed. At this time, you will need to assemble your stand or hand mixer or grab a sturdy whisk and mixing bowl. Then, make certain you have prepped all of your ingredients. As mentioned, this recipe comes together in about ten minutes which results in little prep. Roughly chop the pancetta or meat of choice into small bite sized pieces and set aside until later use.
Slice your crusty bread into one inch thick slices, drizzle with olive oil and place on a baking sheet in the oven on 425 Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes until the slices are slightly brown and toasty.
At this time, begin placing the dip ingredients into the bowl. Pour in the ricotta cheese, goat cheese, honey, salt and mix until fluffy and slightly thick. This step will take no longer than two to three minutes. While mixing, be sure to taste the dip and adjust the saltiness or sweetness to your liking. Simply add a pinch more of salt if needed or a one fourth teaspoon of honey at a time until desired flavor is reached.
It's important to realize, you are more than half way through this recipe! You can leave the whipped dip in the mixing bowl or pour into your desired serving dish. Either way, this can be set aside until further plating.

How to Brown the Pancetta or Salty Meat Crumbles
At this time, grab a small sauté pan and place on medium to high heat. Depending on your meat of choice, this may be a good time to add one teaspoon of oil to the pan. In this instance, I used a pepperoni flavored meat stick, a little oil was needed to help with the browning process.
Add the roughly chopped meat crumbles to the pan and begin sautéing until the crumbles are charred and slightly crispy. Using a paper towel as a way to drain any excess fat, place the cooked meat crumbles on the paper towel to let cool and ry.
How to Plate Whipped Ricotta and Goat Cheese Dip with Pancetta
At this time, you are ready to plate and serve! Gather your favorite dish to serve dips in and pour the whipped ricotta and goat cheese dip into the bowl. Next, taking a spoon or honey dipper, pour about one teaspoon of honey over the of the dip in swirling motions to cover the entire top of the dip. To explain further, the honey should be evenly spread over the top of the dip to ensure honey is included in each dip or spoonful of the dip.
Next, gather your cooled meat crumbles and place on top of the dip in the center. Serve this delicious dip with warm, crusty bread and enjoy!
If you enjoyed reading about this recipe, you will definitely want to try prosciutto crostini with balsamic glaze, grilled peach and burrata crostini or baked spinach and shrimp dip.
Prosciutto Crostini with Balsamic Glaze

Grilled Peach and Burrata Crostini



Whipped Ricotta and Goat Cheese Dip with Pancetta
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Hand Mixer
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Ricotta Cheese
- 3-4 oz Herbed Goat Cheese or plain
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste fresh garlic
- ½ loaf Crusty Italian Bread
- 2 teaspoon Olive Oil
- ½ cup Pancetta salty meat crumbled
Instructions
- Assemble your stand or hand mixer or grab a sturdy whisk and mixing bowl.
- Roughly chop the pancetta or meat of choice into small bite sized pieces and set aside until later use.
- Slice your crusty bread into one inch thick slices, drizzle with olive oil and place on a baking sheet in the oven on 425 Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes until the slices are slightly brown and toasty.
- At this time, begin placing the dip ingredients into the bowl. Pour in the ricotta cheese, goat cheese, honey, salt and mix until fluffy and slightly thick.
- This step will take no longer than two to three minutes. While mixing, be sure to taste the dip and adjust the saltiness or sweetness to your liking. Simply add a pinch more of salt if needed or a one fourth teaspoon of honey at a time until desired flavor is reached.
- In a small sauté pan and place on medium to high heat. Depending on your meat of choice, this may be a good time to add one teaspoon of oil to the pan. In this instance, I used a pepperoni flavored meat stick, a little oil was needed to help with the browning process.
- Add the roughly chopped meat crumbles to the pan and begin sautéing until the crumbles are charred and slightly crispy.
- Using a paper towel as a way to drain any excess fat, place the cooked meat crumbles on the paper towel to let cool and dry.
- Gather your favorite dish and pour the whipped ricotta and goat cheese dip into the bowl.
- Next, taking a spoon or honey dipper, pour about one teaspoon of honey over the of the dip in swirling motions to cover the entire top of the dip. To
- Next, gather your cooled meat crumbles and place on top of the dip in the center. Serve this delicious dip with warm, crusty bread and enjoy!
Ann Marie DuBoe says
CAN YOU MAKE THIS DAY AHEAD OF TIME
Carita says
I would make this fresh. This dip is best served freshly whipped. Hope this helps!