Is there lactose in ricotta?
Low-ish — but higher than hard cheese.
Ricotta is a fresh, whey-based cheese, so it holds more lactose than aged cheddar or parmesan — but a normal serve is still modest and many people tolerate it fine.
Ricotta is the exception to the “cheese is low in lactose” rule of thumb. Most cheeses are made from the curd, with the lactose-rich whey drained off — but ricotta is made from the whey. That’s why it sits higher than a hard cheese, though a normal serve is still fairly modest.
If this sounds familiar: if lasagne or a cannoli reliably catches you out while a cheese board doesn’t, ricotta’s whey base is a likely reason. Portion and a lactose-free version are your friends here.
How much lactose is in ricotta?
Ricotta contains roughly 1–5 g of lactose per 100 g — about 0.5–2.5 g in a 50 g serve, well under milk but higher than drained, aged cheeses. Amounts vary a fair bit by brand and how it’s made.
| Food | Lactose per 100 g | Per typical serve |
|---|---|---|
| Ricotta | 1–5 g | ~0.5–2.5 g (50 g) |
| Regular milk | 4.8 g | ~12 g (250 mL) |
| Aged parmesan | <0.1 g | ~0 g |
Figures compiled from food-composition databases — see the full lactose chart & sources.
When to take a little care
Ricotta-heavy dishes, like lasagne, stuffed pasta, cheesecake and cannoli, stack up more than a spoonful on toast. If those trigger you, a lactose-free ricotta swaps in seamlessly, or lean on our lactose content chart to plan around it.
If ricotta isn't handy, reach for…
Common questions
Is ricotta OK for lactose intolerance?
Is ricotta higher in lactose than other cheeses?
Is there a lactose-free ricotta?
Want the full picture? Grab our free Living Lactose-Free in Australia cheat sheet — it sorts 60+ foods like this one so you never have to guess at the supermarket again.