This No-Bake Ricotta Blueberry Cheesecake is a show-stopping summer dessert that’s light, airy, and full of fresh fruit flavor. Made without turning on the oven, this cheesecake features a creamy lemon-ricotta and cream cheese filling layered between a vanilla wafer crust and a luscious blueberry topping. It’s perfect for entertaining a crowd and can be made ahead for stress-free serving.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 box (11 ounces) vanilla-wafer cookies (e.g., Nabisco Nilla)

• ¼ cup + 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided

• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta

• 16 ounces cream cheese

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

• 1¼ cups heavy cream

• 5 cups blueberries (from 3 pint containers)

• 1½ teaspoons cornstarch

• 4 tablespoons lemon juice, divided

• 2 tablespoons water

• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. In a food processor, pulse cookies until finely ground. Add ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and melted butter. Pulse until moist (makes about 3½ cups). Press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Chill in the refrigerator.

2. In a clean food processor, blend ricotta, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons lemon juice until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.

3. Beat heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold into the ricotta mixture.

4. Spread 2½ cups of the cream mixture over the chilled crust. Top with 2 cups blueberries. Spread the remaining cream mixture on top and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

5. For the topping, in a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1½ cups blueberries, 2 tablespoons water, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook 2–3 minutes until berries burst.

6. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir into berry mixture. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup blueberries and let cool.

7. Spoon cooled blueberry mixture over the cheesecake, garnish with remaining ½ cup blueberries and mint. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16 of recipe)
Servings Per Recipe: 16

A No-Bake Dessert That’s as Beautiful as It Is Delicious

This recipe isn’t just a shortcut—it’s a game-changer for cheesecake lovers. The no-bake format simplifies the process while still delivering luxurious texture and flavor. The base layer—a buttery, sweet vanilla wafer crust—adds the perfect crunch and balance to the silky filling. The ricotta brings lightness and a slightly tangy flavor, while the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar provide that signature richness.

The whipped cream folded into the filling adds volume and airiness, creating a texture that’s somewhere between mousse and traditional cheesecake. Layered between this cloud-like filling is a generous sprinkle of fresh blueberries, adding bursts of natural sweetness and color in every bite.

What sets this recipe apart even further is the homemade blueberry topping. A quick stovetop compote with lemon and sugar creates a glossy, deeply flavored blueberry sauce that gets spooned over the finished cheesecake for a stunning finish.

Why You’ll Love This Ricotta Blueberry Cheesecake

This cheesecake is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience. It combines texture, flavor, and visual appeal in a way that’s surprisingly easy to achieve. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your summer dessert rotation:

It’s no-bake, so it keeps your kitchen cool and oven-free.
It can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for entertaining.
It uses fresh seasonal fruit, making it vibrant and naturally flavorful.
The texture is light and airy, thanks to the ricotta and whipped cream combination.
It’s easy to assemble, yet looks like a bakery-quality showstopper.
It feeds a crowd, thanks to the 9×13-inch pan size—ideal for parties or potlucks.
The flavors are balanced—not too sweet, not too heavy, and full of citrusy brightness.

The Ricotta-Cream Cheese Duo: Light, Creamy, and Perfectly Balanced

While traditional cheesecakes use only cream cheese, this version takes a lighter approach by incorporating ricotta. Ricotta adds a delicate texture and a slight tang that pairs beautifully with lemon zest and fresh blueberries. It also creates a more airy consistency that doesn’t feel as dense or heavy, which is ideal for summer.

Cream cheese anchors the richness, ensuring that signature cheesecake taste is still present. Meanwhile, folding in whipped cream creates a velvety texture that sets up perfectly in the fridge without the need for gelatin or baking.

This combo also allows the cheesecake to slice beautifully while still maintaining a soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality that’s perfect with every forkful.

Fresh Blueberries, Lemon, and a Hint of Sweetness

Few pairings are more classic or refreshing than blueberries and lemon. The acidity of the lemon brightens the sweetness of the berries and balances the creaminess of the filling. With three separate applications of blueberries—layered inside the filling, stirred into the topping, and sprinkled fresh as garnish—you get multidimensional flavor and texture throughout.

The blueberry topping is especially important: it provides contrast in color, flavor, and moisture. The natural pectin in blueberries thickens with the help of a little cornstarch, creating a jam-like topping that glistens on top of the cake.

A touch of kosher salt is added in both the crust and the topping, which is key for cutting the sweetness and elevating the fruit’s natural flavor.

Perfect for Entertaining: Make It Ahead and Chill

One of the best aspects of this recipe is that it’s entertaining-friendly. You can make it a day in advance and let it set in the refrigerator overnight. Not only does this save time the day of your event, but it actually improves the flavor and texture—allowing everything to meld and firm up to that perfect sliceable consistency.

It’s ideal for birthday parties, brunches, bridal showers, or simply treating your family to a decadent summer dessert. Just cover the pan with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. Add the topping and fresh garnish just before serving for the most beautiful presentation.

Tips for Perfect No-Bake Cheesecake Every Time

Use full-fat ricotta and cream cheese for the creamiest texture and richest flavor.
Let the cheese come to room temperature before blending—this ensures a smooth, lump-free filling.
Whip the cream to stiff peaks and gently fold it in to maintain the light, airy texture.
Chill the crust before adding the filling to ensure it sets firmly and doesn’t become soggy.
Cool the blueberry topping completely before spreading on the cheesecake, or serve it separately to preserve the layered effect.
Use fresh blueberries when possible—they have better texture and flavor than frozen in this context.
Slice with a clean, sharp knife, wiping between cuts for neat presentation.

Serving and Pairing Ideas

To serve, cut the cheesecake into squares and garnish with fresh mint leaves or thin lemon zest curls for a pop of color and flavor. This cheesecake is wonderful served on its own but also pairs well with:

A cold glass of sparkling lemonade or iced tea for casual gatherings
A crisp glass of Prosecco or Moscato for brunch or evening celebrations
A side of lightly whipped cream or Greek yogurt for a tangy contrast
A handful of toasted nuts or granola for crunch and flavor contrast on top

This dessert can also be adapted with other seasonal fruits like strawberries, blackberries, or even peaches.

Conclusion

No-Bake Ricotta Blueberry Cheesecake is the ultimate summer dessert—cool, creamy, and bursting with fresh berry flavor. It takes the traditional richness of cheesecake and lightens it with ricotta and whipped cream, then elevates it with bright lemon zest and a lush blueberry topping. The result is an elegant yet approachable dish that satisfies sweet cravings without being overly heavy.

Perfect for entertaining, celebrations, or even just a luxurious weekend treat, this cheesecake is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s a celebration of fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and the joy of sharing something truly delightful with others. Keep it in your back pocket for any warm-weather event—or whenever you need a slice of sunshine.