Six Alternatives to Ricotta Cheese

Without it, cheesecake would be essentially nonexistent, cannoli and manicotti would be empty, and lasagna would just be flat noodles and sauce. Ricotta is an Italian cheese that is thick and creamy. If you use ricotta cheese frequently in your cooking endeavors, you are aware of how important it is to many of your favorite recipes.

However, if you happen to use the last bit of ricotta and need to start a new recipe that calls for it, there are a number of substitutes that are ideal in a pinch.

You won’t have to make a last-minute trip to the grocery store to give your finished product the rich, creamy flavor it requires when using pantry staples like cream cheese sour cream, and cottage cheese or more unusual options like silken tofu and queso fresco. Stock up on your favorites and keep your aspirations for lasagna and cheesecake alive by reading our guide to the top 6 ricotta cheese substitutes.

1. Cottage Cheese

When utilizing the small-curd variety, cottage cheese has a striking resemblance to ricotta in terms of texture and flavor. When substituting ricotta cheese in mildly flavored recipes like lasagna or baked goods, cottage cheese performs well.

In terms of taste and texture, cottage cheese is an excellent substitute for ricotta, and it also offers a few health advantages. Because it has less fat and calories than ricotta, the finished result will not only taste amazing but also be extremely healthy for you.

2. Sour Cream

Most likely, you’ve had sour cream on baked potatoes, in tacos, or as a main component of French onion dip. But sour cream also makes a fantastic substitute for ricotta in thick dips for veggies, chips, and crackers. Make sure to add a ton of herbs and spices to your dip to enhance its flavor.

3. Silken Tofu

Because of its smooth texture and extremely mild flavor, silken tofu is a suitable substitute for ricotta cheese, unlike its firm or extra firm brothers. If you add the correct herbs and spices to the silken tofu in your refrigerator, it can serve as a perfect substitute for ricotta cheese in a variety of baked products, including lasagna and ravioli. This is especially useful for vegans and people who are intolerant to dairy.

4. Fresh Goat Cheese

When fresh goat cheese is called for as a rich topping, such as on top of fresh fruit or desserts, it makes a fantastic substitute for ricotta in recipes. While the consistency of fresh goat cheese is thicker and creamier, its mildly acidic flavor will add just the appropriate amount of brightness to a dish that would otherwise require ricotta as the finishing touch.

5. Queso Fresco

If this mild, salty cheese is new to you, be sure to grab a few wheels the next time you visit the grocery store’s dairy section. When used as a substitute for ricotta in recipes calling for fresh cheese, such as as a filling for pastas or desserts, queso fresco performs well. Although it works well as a stand-in, you might want to use it sparingly because it has more calories, fat, and sodium than ricotta.

6. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese, a staple on your morning bagel, is a delicious substitute for ricotta cheese in a range of recipes, including cheesecake and lasagna. Choose a low-fat or non-fat variety of cream cheese if you’re trying to control your weight because it’s mildly flavored, soft, and creamy, but it does contain more fat than ricotta.

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