Best Substitutes For Ricotta Cheese
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.
Cheese is something that most of us cannot resist. Either as a topping, in salads, side dishes, as spreads, cheese has many ways in our cooking.
Since there are many types of cheese, each is unique in its own way by the way it is made and when you can use it. One of the many types, well be discussing the ricotta cheese. Typically added as a topping or addition to pasta or pizza and lasagna.
This creamy cheese will fit perfectly with some sweet dishes like cheesecake. It has a rich, sweet, and mild taste which makes it good for many savory and sweet dishes.
However, you might bump into a problem if you dont have ricotta cheese and you are in the midst of your cooking. So, is there an alternative?
The best substitutes for ricotta cheese are cottage cheese, goat cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, mascarpone, Fromage blanc, buttermilk cheese, pot cheese, or some of the next substitutes.
And for those who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or cant consume dairy products we have a few alternatives like tofu, coconut cream, and soy yogurt.
Check out the list below and find what will be good for your recipe.
Classic Baked Penne Pasta Ricotta Recipe
If youre trying to expand your recipe list or you just fancy a really comforting meal, this classic baked ricotta penne is the absolute best!
This is essentially a three-tiered hug in a baking dish. Spoon in your cooked pasta mixed with your tomato sauce and cheese sauce, top with extra cheese and parsley, and bake until its golden and oozing that gorgeous ricotta flavor!
Indian Palak Paneer With Ricotta
Just because you dont have Indian paneer doesnt mean you cant enjoy this delicious Indian palak paneer. This slightly modified recipe uses ricotta cheese instead, blended with the traditional spinach and spiced with cumin, ginger, and turmeric. Make sure you use whole milk ricotta for the right texture.
Recommended Reading: Babybel Cheese Backpacking
Make A Ricotta Cheese Frittata
Making a ricotta cheese frittata is as easy as combining all the ingredients in a large bowl and whisking until well combined.
To do this, youll need to take out the leftover from the fridge and place it in a large bowl.
Add some milk then whisk until creamy and smooth.
Stir in your favorite vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, or peas.
Pour mixture into a greased frying pan then place it in the oven and bake at 350°F for about 30 to 40 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and crispy.
Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as ketchup or hot sauce.
Ways To Use Up Ricotta Cheese
Recently, though, Ive been thinking about ricotta cheese.
Ive found that buttermilk practically never goes bad .
Ricotta cheese, though, has a pretty short shelf life. Which means once I buy a container of it, Im scrambling like a crazy person to use it up before mold shows up.
Also Check: Does Laughing Cow Cheese Have To Be Refrigerated
Smoked Salmon And Ricotta Crostini
The Spruce / Leah Maroney
Bright smoked salmon and creamy herb-studded ricotta cheese top crispy baguette slices for a perfect appetizer that doesn’t take long to make. Definitely spring for fresh herbs for this recipe they have a more assertive flavor that really makes a difference. Fina-style ricotta cheese also works best, but you can use any kind you can find.
Make Pasta Even Better
Youve had ravioli. Youve had stuffed shells. Youve had agnolotti. We dont need to tell you that ricotta works inside of pasta. We will tell you, however, that it works on top of it too. It’s hard for us to imagine a pasta that wouldn’t want to hang out with our creamy, curd-y leftovers, but any kind of bright, green pasta, like something tossed in pesto or mixed with fresh produce, will totally especially well with a few dollops of ricotta on top. It looks pretty, too. You know, in case you need some #content for the ‘Gram.
You May Like: What Sauce Goes On Philly Cheese Steak Pizza
Potential Drawbacks Of Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is a milk product that can cause vomiting, tingling, swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, coughing, and difficulty breathing in people who are allergic to whey protein.
If you get abdominal discomfort after eating ricotta cheese, you might have an intolerance rather than an allergy. Symptoms like bloating, gas, nausea, or diarrhoea come with lactose intolerance after consuming ricotta cheese. If you have severe lactose intolerance, avoid ricotta cheese or seek medical advice. However, small amounts of ricotta are not harmful if youre moderately lactose intolerant. Ricotta cheese has a low tyramine content and can be consumed in modest quantities by persons on a tyramine-restricted diet.
Summer Salad With Herbed Ricotta
Leafy green salads are no match for this summer salad.
Herbed ricotta tops ripe heirloom tomatoes, sliced red onion, cucumbers, and crunchy radishes. For a spicy kick, add some chopped serrano peppers.
Be sure to salt your tomatoes first to enhance their flavor and texture.
Come summer, this is all I crave. And after one bite, youll feel the same!
Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
What better way to showcase some fluffy, creamy ricotta than with a tomato basil pizza!
This is similar to a margarita pizza except instead of fresh mozzarella it uses ricotta cheese.
To give this pizza a more authentic touch, I recommend making your dough from scratch. However, store-bought will work just fine in a pinch.
This pizza is so fresh and tasty, itll be your new pizza night go-to.
Recommended Reading: Are Lunchables Gluten Free
Easy Ricotta Cheese Recipes To Try
Have you ever bought a pot of ricotta cheese but just werent sure how to use it? Or, are you just looking for some creative new recipes? Well, youve come to the right place, as we have compiled a whole variety of ways to use ricotta cheese that are guaranteed to get your taste buds tingling!
Originating from Italy, the creaminess of ricotta blends perfectly in both sweet and savory dishes alike.
Light in texture, ricotta can create rich pasta dishes packed with flavor, as well as perfectly delicious sweet treats to appease a full crowd!
Whether youre typically a cheese lover or hater, these recipes prove just how versatile ricotta can be.
How To Use Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is easy to use and very versatile, but it isnt quite the same as harder varieties of cheese.
To put it another way this cheese isnt something youll see on wine platters or in sandwiches.
Here are some tasty ways to use ricotta.
- Omelets: Put a little ricotta inside a meat-based omelet for a creamy, cheesy filling.
- With berries: For a quick and simple dessert mix your favorite berries into a bowl of ricotta.
- Dip: ricotta makes a great dip just add some black pepper, salt, finely diced onions, and chives.
- Scrambled eggs: For truly delicious scrambled eggs, try making them with ricotta. All you have to do is beat some ricotta with your eggs in a bowl, add salt and pepper, and then cook the mixture in a bit of butter.
There are all kinds of ways to use ricotta, and it can work well as an addition to almost any dish.
Even putting it in soups and stews can upgrade the overall flavor, so experimenting with new recipes is a great idea too.
Recommended Reading: Does Laughing Cow Need Refrigeration
Blackberry Ricotta & Onion Savory Tart
This savory ricotta tart is a stunner. While blackberries and ricotta could in theory make a sweet dish, this one is all savory. It works perfectly as a brunch vegetarian main dish or as an appetizer. The blackberries are combined with onions and a bit of balsamic to make a sweet and savory compote, smothered over a lemony ricotta topping.
Minute Lemon Ricotta Pasta With Spinach
Ready in less than 15 minutes, this might just be the easiest, zestiest pasta dish you will ever make! Using a few basic ingredients such as olive oil, spinach, lemons, and your multipurpose ricotta cheese, this dish is a great option if youre looking for a quick, simple, and refreshing midweek dinner.
All you will need to do for this is mix all of your ingredients to create that silky sauce, cook your spaghetti, and combine to create this deliciously easy pasta.
To make this even better, drizzle over some olive oil and add a lemon wedge to get that added zest!
Read Also: Is The Wax On Babybel Cheese Edible
The History Of Ricotta Cheese
As we have already established, Ricotta cheese is an Italian cheese of the Whey variety. Ricotta is a very historic cheese and it can be traced back to the days when Italy was in the Bronze age.
During the second millennium BC, Italians began to produce devices known as milk boilers which were ceramic vessels used to boil milk to produce fresh acid-coagulated cheese.
Cheese that would one day become known as Ricotta cheese.
Over the years, ricotta cheese continued to exist in Italy as it was produced by the ancient Romans.
The production of ricotta cheese is rarely spoken about by those who wrote about the Roman times, but this is probably because ricotta was not a profitable cheese, and instead, it was normally produced by those who wanted to consume it.
Over the centuries, ricotta cheese continued to play a big part in Italian culture, and it was made by Apennine shepherds in the 19th century.
Throughout the years, ricotta cheese has been a staple in Italy, and it is still produced using milk boilers like it was during the second millennium BC.
The rich history that ricotta cheese has in Italy proves what an excellent ingredient it can be in so many different dishes, but what do you do if you run out of ricotta cheese?
Lets take a look at some of the best substitutes for ricotta cheese which are just as good as the real thing.
What Can I Use Instead Of Ricotta Cheese In Lasagna
Ricotta cheese is an ingredient that is used in many different recipes. It can be found in lasagna, manicotti, and cannelloni among other dishes. It is thick, creamy, and has a sweet flavor that is difficult to find in other types of cheeses. Ricotta cheese also stands up well to heat as it melts well when baked or fried.
If youre looking for a substitute for ricotta cheese before making lasagna, there are many options that you might like better.
Here are some ideas for what you could use instead of ricotta cheese.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does Babybel Last In The Fridge
Can I Substitute Greek Yogurt For Ricotta Cheese In Baking
We are pleased to report the good news that in many cases, you can substitute Greek yogurt for ricotta cheese in your baking. This is because Greek yogurt delivers a very similar taste and texture to ricotta cheese
However, Greek yogurt is more liquid than ricotta cheese, so if you do want to substitute it for ricotta cheese, you will need to strain the yogurt of liquid in order to get the right consistency.
If you do have some ricotta cheese to hand, we recommend using 1/2 Cup Ricotta Cheese and 1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt for every 1 cup required of ricotta.
Baked Ricotta Pudding Cake
The Spruce / Jennifer Meier
With a texture that falls somewhere between angel food cake and pudding, this ricotta cake comes out creamy and rich while still nice and light. It makes a beautiful, faintly sweet end to a meal. The dish will puff up in your oven and then fall quickly thereafter, but resist the urge to dig in immediately. It tastes best at room temperature.
Read Also: How Long Does Babybel Cheese Last After Expiration Date
Tomato And Ricotta Phyllo Tart
The Spruce / Leah Maroney
Pretty heirloom tomatoes give this crispy, cheesy tart a beautiful presentation that will dress up any appetizer table. You can assemble the tart ahead of time, then just top it with tomatoes before baking. It tastes great either hot or at room temperature, so it works well for summer get-togethers when tomatoes appear in droves at the market.
Fresh Tomato And Ricotta Whole Wheat Pasta
Fancy a bowl of pasta but keen to keep it light and healthy? Not only is this a great healthy option, but its also ready to serve in just 15 minutes!
The fresh tomato sauce couldnt be easier to make. Just add a handful of fresh tomatoes to a bowl with some olive oil and garlic and then mix in with your warm pasta until combined!
The real star of the show in this dish is the ricotta and the creamy texture it provides without adding too much saturated fat to the dish.
Don’t Miss: How Long Will Babybel Cheese Last Unrefrigerated
The Coziest Winter Squash Tart Recipe
This delicata squash tart is the coziest recipe perfect for chilly nights when you want a flavorful veggie dish.
Delicata squash is a winter squash with a delicate rind that doesnt need to be peeled before use making it a stunning option for a tart.
These roasted grape crostinis are an easy and tasty appetizer recipe that is perfect for a dinner party!
Ricotta Vs Ricotta Salata
Ricotta, a fresh cheese, turns into ricotta salata when it gets pressed, salted, and dried. The texture becomes more crumbly, like feta or cotija cheese with a similar saltiness. Ricotta and ricotta salata aren’t interchangeable. Whereas fresh ricotta may be added to dishes in dollops or stuffed into pasta, ricotta salata makes a good finishing choice to sprinkle on top of a salad, scatter onto a plate, or garnish a soup.
Read Also: Babybel Cheese Melts
What Cheese Is Similar To Ricotta
Moreover, what can you use in place of ricotta cheese in lasagna?
Top 8 Substitutes for Ricotta Cheese in Lasagna
- Yogurt. Yogurt is almost everyone’s favorite.
- Tofu. Tofu and Ricotta cheese are quite similar â even in the texture and the taste.
- Cashews. Yes, Cashews can be considered as a replacement for Ricotta cheese.
- Mozzarella. Mozzarella is everyone’s favorite.
- Queso Fresco.
- Creme Fraiche.
- Parmesan.
Similarly, how do I substitute cream cheese for ricotta cheese? Cream cheese can easily be substituted for ricotta at a 1:1 ratio, but it will change your recipe considerably.
Also asked, can I substitute feta for ricotta cheese?
Ricotta. This is the number one substitute for feta cheese. The crumbly texture is very similar, though, so it serves the same purpose as feta in many recipes. People who are looking for a recipe substitute that doesn’t taste like feta but cooks similarly will find that ricotta is a good choice.
Can you substitute mozzarella for ricotta?
Low Carb Keto Ricotta Dessert Recipe
Do you have a massive sweet tooth, but trying to go keto? You need not compromise, as we have found some of the best dessert options available!
This recipe really shows how versatile ricotta can really be, by transforming cheese into the perfect sweet treat! Not only does this recipe require minimal effort, but it is also low carb and refined sugar-free.
To create the dessert mixture, you will need to combine ricotta, heavy cream, lemon zest, powdered sugar, and vanilla and blend until smooth once this is done, spoon into your cups, top with berries and youre good to go!
Don’t Miss: Charcuterie Board Lunchable
It’s Such A Versatile Cheese
The Spruce / Leah Maroney
Ricotta cheese first came about as a way to use up the last milk solids in whey after making other cheeses. Today, you can easily make ricotta at home or pick up a tub of the soft cheese at the store. It’s delicious used in savory recipes like pasta dishes and in sweet dishes like cakes and bars.
Some Tips To Strain Ricotta Cheese Effectively
For straining ricotta cheese more effectively, you should know a few tips below:
- The refrigerator is the best place to store this ingredient. Yet, the longer you leave it, the more cheese will melt.
- To save time, strainer in the evening and let the process go on throughout the night.
- If you want to wrap ricotta cheese, use a paper towel to do it.
Recommended Reading: How Long Do Cheese Sticks Last Unrefrigerated
Ricotta Cheese Recipes Youll Love
Do you love fresh, creamy cheese? Then you need some ricotta cheese recipes in your life.
Ricotta is a mild, creamy cheese and a must for Italian cuisine. Its surprisingly easy to make, but available at pretty much any grocery store.
Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
From appetizers to desserts, ricotta is a versatile ingredient that transcends dishes to a whole new level.
No matter if youre in the mood for sweet or savory, these 25 ricotta recipes are sure to delight.
If youve never made ricotta at home, fear not because its incredibly easy.
Homemade ricotta only requires four ingredients and about 1.5 hours to make.
The trick is to use quality ingredients. Do that and your fresh ricotta will taste far superior to store-bought.
Process Of Making Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta resembles cottage cheese in appearance. The production of ricotta cheese requires a considerable amount of whey to make, even for a tiny amount of cheese. Add vinegar or lemon juice to acidify whey from the production of other cheeses. Then, separate the curd to get a white creamy cheese mass with fine, grainy textured milk particles.
Equipment required: Clean and wide-mouthed bowl, cheesecloth, filter, thermometer, vinegar, or lemon juice to acidify.
Many ricotta cheese brands utilise rennet, a thickening agent produced from enzymes found in the stomachs of ruminant mammals like cows.
Also Check: Does Babybel Cheese Have To Be Refrigerated
