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Ricotta cheese is active in most lasagna, soup, sauce, dip, dressing, and baking recipes. When altering or creating new recipes, most people become skeptical about substituting an active cooking agent like ricotta cheese.
We’ve found ricotta cheese substitutes that you may use in your cuisine or baked products. These replacements have a different flavor and texture than ricotta cheese but serve the same duties in recipes. They can be excellent ricotta cheese alternatives when used in the proper proportions.
The best ricotta cheese substitutes to try are other varieties of cheese, buttermilk, béchamel sauce, sour cream, silken tofu, coconut cream, cashew cream, and yogurt, most kinds of yogurt.
It can be difficult to use a substitute for ricotta cheese because they come in a variety of textures and flavors. This is why we’ve included the recipes that are most suited for them, as well as the appropriate quantity to use in your dish.
Ricotta Cheese Nutrition
These are the nutritional elements in every 100 ricotta cheese you consume. Every 100 grams of Ricotta cheese contains 174 calories.
| Nutritional element | Grams | Daily value |
| Total Fat | 13 g | 20% |
| Saturated fat | 8 g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 51 mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 84 mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 105 mg | 3% |
| Total carbohydrate | 3 g | 1% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0.3 g | – |
| Protein | 11 g | 22% |
| Vitamin C | – | 0% |
| Vitamin D | – | 2% |
| Vitamin B6 | – | 0% |
| Iron | – | 2% |
| Magnesium | – | 2% |
| Calcium | – | 20% |
| Cobalamin | – | 5% |
Substituting For Ricotta Cheese
These tips guide your decision-making on the best replacement for ricotta cheese in your cooking or baking recipe.
- Check to see if the alternative would work in your recipe. Is the alternative suitable for salad dressings, dips, sauces, or soups? Before you choose a substitute for ricotta cheese in a recipe, think about these questions.
- Check to see if the flavor of the alternative will complement or alter the flavor of your recipe. Is the flavor of the substitution solid or moderate, and would it enhance or detract from the taste of your dish?
- Choose a healthier option that is good for your diet. Some replacements are not acceptable for people on a low-fat diet. Try the dairy-free options offered if you’re on a lactose-free diet.
8 Ricotta Cheese Substitutes to Try Today
Here are the best substitutes for ricotta cheese when cooking or baking:
1. Other Varieties Of Cheese
Although ricotta cheese is preferred for some recipes, other types of cheese can be used as a substitute if you run out. Other cheese varieties can be used as a ricotta cheese substitute because they contribute creaminess, flavor, and smoothness to dishes in the same way that ricotta does.
Cream cheese, Fromage blanc, cottage cheese, mascarpone, goat cheese, buttermilk cheese, pot cheese, paneer, requeson, mozzarella cheese, brouse, and parmesan cheese can all be used in place of ricotta cheese. It’s worth noting that these cheeses have flavors that can alter or complement your dish’s taste.
Ensure the substitution’s flavor complements your recipe to create a delectable dinner. Replace one cup of the chosen substitute with one cup of ricotta cheese.
2. Buttermilk
In several recipes, buttermilk is used instead of ricotta cheese. Buttermilk contains properties similar to ricotta cheese, despite their differences in texture and taste, making it a good substitute in recipes. Buttermilk gives your recipe more creaminess, moistness, and a tangy flavor.
Buttermilk is commonly used in pasta recipes as a ricotta cheese alternative. If you use buttermilk as a ricotta cheese substitute, be sure it’s thick enough.
To make thick buttermilk, combine buttermilk powder with a small amount of water and chill for at least 30 minutes before using You can make buttermilk cheese from homemade buttermilk.
3. Béchamel Sauce
Béchamel sauce’s creaminess and taste make it a common replacement for ricotta cheese. Its silky, buttery, and creamy texture can do wonders to your pasta and lasagna recipes.
Some chefs consider béchamel sauce the most suitable replacement for ricotta cheese in lasagna recipes.
This is because of the creamy texture it gives to dishes and how it effectively binds the layers. If you need the béchamel sauce to be thinner, you can add milk to the sauce before incorporating it into your recipe. Replace one cup of ricotta cheese with 1 cup of béchamel sauce.
Asides from using them in lasagna recipes, they can also be used as substitutes in chowders, pies, soups, pizzas, gravies, or gratins.
4. Silken Tofu
Vegans commonly use silken tofu as an alternative to ricotta cheese in recipes. This highly nutritious replacement is a good substitute for ricotta cheese. Silken tofu is high in protein, so it’s a healthy option for your recipe.
To use as a substitute, depending on your dish, you would need to blend or mash your silken tofu with lemon juice. Silken tofu can be used as a soup thickener, for salad dressing, and a substitute for ricotta cheese in baking recipes.
Replace one cup of ricotta cheese with one cup of pureed or mashed silken tofu. You can increase the flavor of your silken tofu by mixing in basil to complement your dish.
5. Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is another vegan option that can be utilized in recipes. Coconut cream is rich and creamy, with a naturally sweet flavor that may enhance the flavor of any dish.
With its high liquid content, coconut cream can be used to moisten, emulsify, and leaven any meal.
Coconut is an excellent option if you’re seeking a fruity flavor in your recipe. Coconut cream is low in fat, making it a good choice for people trying to lose weight. When substituting coconut cream for ricotta cheese in a dish, combine it with coconut butter and nutritional yeast to make it a great substitute.
6. Sour Cream
Sour cream is frequently substituted for ricotta cheese in recipes. This is because sour cream is common in many baking and dish recipes, making it readily available in most households.
Sour cream’s smooth texture and tanginess make it a good substitute for sour cream in tasty dips, dressings, soups, and sauces.
In a recipe, sour cream generates tender and rich flavors. Sour cream also gives fillings more substance. Sour cream can be used in various foods, including cakes, pancakes, pizza, and spaghetti. Substitute 1 cup sour cream for 1 cup ricotta cheese.
7. Cashew Cream
Vegans and lactose-intolerant people can use cashew cream as a ricotta cheese substitute.
Cashew cream adds richness to any dish while also increasing the moisture content. Cashew cream has a sour flavor comparable to ricotta cheese, making it an ideal replacement.
Don’t overdo it with the amount you will put in your meal. Cashew cream has a strong sour flavor, which might change the flavor of your food. For every cup of ricotta cheese, use 12 cups of cashew cream. Cashew cream can benefit from soups, sauces, dips, dressings, and spreads.
Cashew cream is mostly homemade. Simply blend soaked cashews with little water and use the mix for your dish.
8. Yogurt
Yogurt is another excellent ricotta cheese substitute. When used in the proper proportions, any type of yogurt is creamy and enhances the flavor of your food.
Dairy yogurts, non-dairy yogurts, Greek yogurt, kefir, skyr, and soy yogurt can all be used instead of ricotta cheese in baking and cooking. Yogurt fits in well with the rest of the ingredients in your recipe.
Yogurt can be used in various ways, including soups, sauces, and dressings, but it is most commonly used for dips. Because of its low-fat level, soy yogurt is frequently advised for people on a low-fat diet. Whip your yogurt before using it in a recipe, then add it to your meal.
Replace one cup of ricotta cheese with ¾ cup of whipped yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?
You can use other varieties of cheese, Buttermilk, Béchamel sauce, Paneer, Silken tofu, Coconut cream, Clabber cream, Greek yogurt, Sour cream, Cashew cream, and soy yogurt instead of ricotta cheese.
What is a good substitute for ricotta cheese in lasagna?
The best substitutes for ricotta cheese in lasagna are cottage cheese, cream cheese, béchamel cheese sauce, goat cheese, mascarpone, tofu, paneer, and Fromage Blanc. These substitutes perform similar functions to ricotta cheese in cooking recipes.
Can I substitute sour cream for ricotta cheese?
Yes, you can substitute sour cream for ricotta cheese in your cooking recipe. Due to its creaminess, sour cream, when added in the right quantity would increase the moisture content of your dish, and its tangy flavor may create a mouth-watering taste for your dish.
What can I substitute for ricotta cheese in manicotti?
Goat cheese, cottage cheese, and queso fresco are ricotta cheese substitutes you can use in manicotti. All of these substitutes have a similar texture to ricotta cheese and would perform their function in your dish whether as an ingredient for dips, sauce, s
Final Note
Before choosing a ricotta cheese substitute, ensure your choice is best suited for your recipe.
The alternatives provided for you come in different flavors and textures. Some require that you thicken or thin them. It is best to consider these before incorporating the substitute into your baking dish.
