This Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding is an extra easy and low-carb dessert recipe I got from a reader named Janet! If you’re someone who doesn’t love to make desserts but enjoys a sweet treat when you’re watching carbs, this easy recipe with about 2 net carbs per serving might be perfect for you! 

Click to PIN Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding!

Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding shown in four serving dishes with whipped cream on top.

Many years ago I got this simple recipe for Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding from a reader from Toronto who told me that she and her husband had recently started the (origina) South Beach Diet. Janet said they did miss having something a little sweet after dinner, so she’d been experimenting with some desserts.

Janet told me she was surprised how good the Sugar-Free Jello tasted when you weren’t eating sugar, and she’d also tried the ricotta creme desserts in the original South Beach Diet Book (affiliate link). Combining those ideas, she mixed ricotta cheese with Sugar-Free Jello and came up with a dessert she thought was pretty good.

I’m definitely not someone who loves to make fancy desserts, so this idea appealed to me. When I tried Janet’s creation, I was surprised how good it tasted for a completely low-carb, sugar-free, and South Beach phase one dessert, even with the slightly gritty texture of the ricotta cheese.

And Janet reports she has since gone on to more sugar-free Jello experiments, including replacing the ricotta with low-fat plain yogurt and adding fruit for a layered phase two dessert.

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

Is this Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding a healthy dessert?

This easy ricotta pudding has only about 2 net carbs per serving, about 5 grams of fat (or less if you use skim milk ricotta) and almost 5 grams or protein per serving.

What flavors of Sugar-Free Jello can you use for the Ricotta Pudding?

I first made this pudding using raspberry Jello, but when I decided recently to update the photos on this post I opted for Sugar-Free Lemon Jello this time. I also think the orange flavor might be really good; use whatever flavor you prefer.

Can you use skim milk ricotta for the Ricotta Pudding?

When I re-did these photos I used whole milk ricotta for maximum creaminess, but you can certainly use low-fat ricotta if you prefer.

Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding, collage showing recipe steps.

How do you make Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding?

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

  1. Here’s a picture of the whole milk ricotta and the Sugar-Free I used.
  2. Have four glass dishes (slightly over 1/2 cup each) ready on counter to pour the hot Jello mixture into.
  3. Put ricotta cheese into bowl or small measuring cup and stir until it’s softened.
  4. Put powdered Jello into 2 cup glass measuring cup, pour in boiling water and whisk for 1-2 minutes, until all Jello is dissolved.
  5. Stir in the ricotta, then the cold water and whisk together until the mixture is mostly smooth.
  6. Pour into glass dishes and place in refrigerator to set.
  7. I waited about 2 hours until the mixture was partly firm, then covered it with cling wrap. (The first time I made this years ago the jello and ricotta separated sightly into but this time I whisked it more and that didn’t happen.)
  8. Serve cold, from individual dishes, topped with whipped cream if desired.

We loved this simple dessert topped with Zero Sugar Reddi Whip, which is perfect when you want Keto-Friendly whipped cream without having to whip it yourself. I got this at my Smiths (Kroger) store and didn’t find it on Amazon, but hopefully you can find it (or something similar) at a store near you.

Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding shown in four dishes.

More Easy Sugar-Free Jello Desserts:

Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding shown in four serving dishes with whipped cream on top.
Yield: 4 servings

Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding

Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

If you don't want sugar but aren't into making fancy desserts, you might like this Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding for a simple treat!

Ingredients

  • one four oz. pkg. Sugar-Free Jello
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 2/3 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (see notes)
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • whipped cream for serving (optional)

Instructions

    Have four glass dishes (slightly over 1/2 cup each) ready on counter to pour the hot Jello mixture into.

  1. Put ricotta cheese into bowl or glass measuring cup and stir vigorously with fork or whisk until it’s softened and creamy.
  2. Put powdered Jello into large glass measuring cup, pour in boiling water and whisk for 1-2 minutes, until all Jello is dissolved.
  3. Stir in ricotta, then cold water and mix together.
  4. Pour into glass bowls and place in refrigerator to set.
  5. I waited about 2 hours until the mixture was partly firm, then covered it with cling wrap.
  6. Serve cold, from individual dishes, topped with whipped cream if desired.

Notes

Nutritional information is based on the ingredients I used, but you can definitely use skim milk ricotta if you prefer.75Recipe shared by a reader named Janet Davis and tested by Kalyn.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 75Total Fat 5.4gSaturated Fat 3.4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1.7gCholesterol 21mgSodium 42mgCarbohydrates 1.9gFiber 0gSugar 0.1gProtein 4.8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating (under the PRINT button in the recipe) or share a photo of your results on Instagram! THANKS!

Square image for Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding shown in four square dishes on cutting board, with whipped cream.

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding is a great dish for low-carb or Keto diet plans with Sugar-Free Jello and whole milk ricotta. This will also be great for any phase of the original South Beach Diet if you switch out the ricotta for skim milk ricotta.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Dessert Recipes for more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
The Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding was first posted in 2008, after I got the recipe from a reader. The recipe was updated with better photos and more information in 2024.

Pinterest image of Sugar-Free Jelled Ricotta Pudding

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