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Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, light lunch, or elegant appetizer, this Herbed Ricotta Toast is one of those recipes that feels fancy while taking very little effort.

Fresh herbs, creamy ricotta, and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes come together to create a simple meal that's bursting with fresh summer flavor.

The creamy ricotta is whipped together with fresh herbs and spread over thick slices of toasted artisan bread before being topped with juicy roasted cherry tomatoes that become perfectly caramelized in the oven. Every bite is creamy, crunchy, savory, and just a little sweet.

Our herb garden is really kicking into high gear lately! We have so much fresh dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, sage, chives, and more that we are having to find yummy recipes to make with them.

Since we are in clean-out the pantry mode right now to use up some of the overruns of groceries we have, Kayla and I played around with an Ina Garten recipe.

Herbed Ricotta Toast with Sautéed Tomatoes

We upped the flavor a bit to create this delicious Herbed Ricotta Toast with Sauteed Tomatoes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ready in about 30 minutes
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch
A great way to use fresh garden herbs
Naturally vegetarian
Easy to customize with your favorite toppings

Ingredients

For the Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Herb Ricotta

1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

For the Toast

4 thick slices artisan bread (sourdough is my favorite!)
Olive oil for brushing the bread

Optional Garnishes

Extra fresh dill
Chopped fresh chives
Flaky sea salt
Fresh cracked pepper
Balsamic glaze
Lemon zest

How to Make Herbed Ricotta Toast

Before I tell you how to make this, I have to tell you about an awesome Goodwill find I recently came upon. Y'all know how much I love Ina Garten, right? I mean, I have made her delicious Ina Garten Lemon Bars before and it is still one of the most popular posts on my site.

Well — while we were shopping at Goodwill one day looking for some new summer dresses and some new food props, I decided to check out the cookbooks. I love finding a new book or two (and I read cookbooks like I read novels).

I looked down and saw an older Ina Garten cookbook for $2.99 and I was super excited!

This recipe for herbed ricotta toast can be found inside this cookbook, but as I said — Kayla and I decided to up the flavor some and top it with delicious burst tomatoes that have been sauteed in a garlic olive oil.

Okay – now on to make this amazing recipe.

To start off, you are going to need some fresh herbs for this recipe —

Fresh dill and chives taste so great together when mixed with the fresh ricotta. You can buy storebought, which is what we used. But — you can also make fresh ricotta cheese and the flavor profile is even more intense.

Start by mixing together your ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Once you get it all mixed up, set it aside. Now, take your sliced baguette toasts and broil them until the tops are just browned.

Once you get them browned, take a garlic clove and slice in half and rub each of the toasts with the garlic clove.

Now, top the toasts with the ricotta cheese.

Now — here's where the deliciousness begins to happen.

In a saute pan, add 4 tablespoons of olive oil and take the remaining garlic left and throw into the pan with the olive oil. Add in some cherry tomatoes and turn the heat on medium high.

Move the pan around and allow the tomatoes to heat through. As they start to warm, each tomato will begin to pop and shrivel. After a couple of minutes, remove from the heat and take the garlic infused olive oil and drizzle over the ricotta toasts.

Now, top with the burst tomatoes and a little more of the oil.

Serve to guests for an appetizer, or you can be like me and Kayla and just eat it for lunch. It is super filling and so delicious.

Tips for the Best Herb Ricotta Toast

Whole milk ricotta creates the creamiest texture.
Fresh dill and chives add bright flavor without overpowering the ricotta.
Roast the tomatoes until they burst for the sweetest flavor.
Thick slices of sourdough or artisan bread hold up best under the creamy topping.

Variations

Add a fried or poached egg for extra protein.
Top with sliced avocado for an even creamier bite.
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese.
Finish with hot honey for a sweet and spicy twist.
Add microgreens or arugula for extra freshness.

Storage

Store the herb ricotta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Roasted cherry tomatoes will keep for 3–4 days.

For the best texture, toast the bread and assemble just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the ricotta ahead of time?

Yes! The herb ricotta actually develops even more flavor after chilling for a few hours.

What bread is best?

Sourdough, ciabatta, French country bread, or any sturdy artisan loaf works beautifully.

Can I use dried herbs?

Fresh herbs are highly recommended for this recipe. Dill and chives provide a bright, delicate flavor that dried herbs simply can't match.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this toast with:

Fresh fruit
A crisp green salad
Iced coffee
Fresh lemonade
Tomato soup
Scrambled or poached eggs for brunch

Final Thoughts

When garden herbs and ripe summer tomatoes are in season, this Herb Ricotta Toast deserves a spot on your table. The creamy ricotta, fragrant dill, mild onion flavor from the chives, and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes create a simple dish that's elegant enough for entertaining but easy enough for an everyday meal. It's one of those recipes you'll find yourself making again and again all summer long.

For More Delicious Recipes Using Herbs, Check Out These Dishes

What is your favorite recipe to use fresh herbs with?

Yield: 8 toasts

Herbed Ricotta Toast with Sautéed Tomatoes

Name: Herbed Ricotta Toast with Sautéed Tomatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups ricotta; 3 tablespoons minced green onions (scallions) --use both the white and the green; 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill; 1 tablespoon fresh minced chives; Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper; 1/2 of baguette sliced into toast rounds; 1 whole garlic clove, cut in half; 4 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes

5.0 Stars (1 Review)

This easy recipe can be used as an appetizer or as a lunch for two or three.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups ricotta
3 tablespoons minced green onions (scallions) --use both the white and the green
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh minced chives
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
1/2 of baguette sliced into toast rounds
1 whole garlic clove, cut in half
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes

Instructions

Combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a bowl. Mix together and set it aside.
Cut your bread in half into slices and place on a sheet pan. Broil under a broiler until browned, around 1 -2 minutes.
When the toast is done, rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread with the herbed ricotta. Set aside.
Now, take your olive oil and place the remaining garlic in the oil in a sauce pan on medium high. Add your tomatoes and sauce for a couple of minutes until the tomatoes begin to bust.
Now, drizzle the oil over the toast and top with the tomatoes.
Serve warm slices to guests or eat as your own lunch!

Herbed Ricotta Toast with Sautéed Tomatoes

Why You'll Love This Recipe