Queso de Burgos vs Ricotta Cheese

Queso de Burgos is a fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty cow and sheep-milk cheese from Spain, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Queso de Burgos?

Queso de Burgos is a fresh white cheese from the province of Burgos, Spain, eaten within days of being made. Once a sheep's milk cheese sold at the Burgos market, it received EU Protected Geographical Indication status in September 2025.

What Is Ricotta Cheese?

Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.

What's the Difference Between Queso de Burgos and Ricotta Cheese?

• Origin: Queso de Burgos (Spain), Ricotta Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Queso de Burgos (Cow’s and sheep’s milk), Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
• Milk treatment: Queso de Burgos (Pasteurized), Ricotta Cheese (Whey)
• Texture: Queso de Burgos (Fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty), Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist)
• Aging: Queso de Burgos (Fresh, not matured), Ricotta Cheese (Fresh)
• Taste: Queso de Burgos (Mild, milky, and slightly sweet), Ricotta Cheese (Sweet, slightly creamy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Queso de Burgos Taste Like Ricotta Cheese?

Queso de Burgos reads as mild, milky, and slightly sweet, while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy character. On the nose, Queso de Burgos offers smells of fresh milk; varies in intensity based on sheep’s milk content, contrasted with Ricotta Cheese's mild. More specifically, Queso de Burgos shows slightly salty or not salty, no acidity or bitterness; varying intensity of sheep’s milk aftertaste depending on type, while Ricotta Cheese leans toward depending on milk source. Aging plays into this as well. Queso de Burgos at fresh, not matured develops a different profile than Ricotta Cheese at fresh.

Can You Substitute Queso de Burgos for Ricotta Cheese?

Queso de Burgos can stand in for Ricotta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, moist. Flavor-wise, Queso de Burgos reads as mild, milky, and slightly sweet while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy notes.

Which Is Better, Queso de Burgos or Ricotta Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty cheese, go with Queso de Burgos. For a soft, moist profile, Ricotta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Queso de Burgos suits recipes that want mild, milky, and slightly sweet notes, while Ricotta Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, slightly creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Queso de Burgos the same as Ricotta Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de Burgos originates in Spain, while Ricotta Cheese comes from Italy. Queso de Burgos is made from cow and sheep milk; Ricotta Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Queso de Burgos is typically aged fresh, not matured, Ricotta Cheese fresh.

Is Queso de Burgos similar to Ricotta Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Queso de Burgos for Ricotta Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Queso de Burgos taste like Ricotta Cheese?

Queso de Burgos reads as mild, milky, and slightly sweet, while Ricotta Cheese is sweet, slightly creamy. Aromas also diverge. Queso de Burgos leans smells of fresh milk; varies in intensity based on sheep’s milk content, and Ricotta Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Queso de Burgos made of?

Queso de Burgos is made from cow and sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh, not matured. It originates in Spain.

What is Ricotta Cheese made of?

Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Queso de Burgos or Ricotta Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso de Burgos is fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist.