Cheese lovers feel their world is incomplete without Ricotta cheese. All your favorite foods like pasta, sauces, desserts, dips, pasta, lasagna, and cheesecakes feel incomplete without ricotta cheese. But what if you want to make your favorite cheesecake and run out of Ricotta cheese, then no worries, here is a solution to save your day. There are many Ricotta cheese substitutes, and if you’ve got one of them, you can make all your favorite foods without Ricotta. So here are some of the best substitutes for Ricotta cheese that will make your recipes complete.
Substitutes for Ricotta Cheese That Will Make Your Recipes Complete
1. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is one of the most versatile substitutes for Ricotta cheese that you can add to both cooked and uncooked food. Cream cheese is readily available and is pretty easy to use due to its silky and creamy texture. However, the cream cheese is bulkier than Ricotta cheese and does not offer a light and fluffy texture when used as a spread or dip. To make it a perfect substitute for Ricotta cheese, you can add sour cream or egg to cream cheese.
2. Buttermilk Cheese
Buttermilk cheese is another inexpensive substitute for Ricotta cheese. The best part is that you can easily prepare buttermilk cheese at home, and therefore it is the perfect choice when you cannot rush to the market to buy some cheese. Buttermilk cheese tastes differently from ricotta cheese and has a slightly acidic and sour taste. You may not like it a dip or spread, but it tastes great when used in cheesecakes or as a pasta filling.
3. Pot Cheese
Pot cheese is another perfect substitute for ricotta cheese that will make your recipes complete. This substitute is the perfect option for people looking for a low-fat alternative for Ricotta cheese. Pot cheese is available in the market, but it is better if you prepare it at home. It is one of the healthiest cheese variants with less salt and fat content and higher protein content. Pot cheese has a dry and crumbly texture and can be used in sauces, dips, and spreads.
4. Soft Mozzarella Cheese
If you want the exact taste and texture of the ricotta cheese in lasagna, pasta, or cheesecake, Soft Mozzarella cheese is an ultimate option. Although it is slightly mild in favor, it offers impressive airy and fluffy consistency when used in cheesecakes, lasagna, and spreads. To make your recipes perfect, it is advised to buy soft mozzarella cheese with the highest cream content. Also, you can pair it up with cream cheese or cottage cheese to enhance the flavor, consistency, and texture.
5. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a white creamy soft cheese that is so close to Ricotta cheese in texture, flavor, and appearance. Cottage cheese is readily available and is an inexpensive alternative to Ricotta cheese. Also, it is low in fat and calories, making it a healthy substitute for Ricotta cheese. Since cottage cheese has a creamy texture, there is no need to add variations to cottage cheese while using it as a Ricotta substitute.
6. Mascarpone
Mascarpone is a perfect substitute for Ricotta cheese that will make your recipes complete. This white cheese also originated from Italy and can be used in various recipes of Pasta, Cannoli, and Ristostts as a Riotta cheese substitute. Remember, this Italian white cheese comes in a thick consistency and has a more tarty flavor than Ricotta cheese. Therefore it is advised to use it in less quantity than the ricotta cheese.
7. Goat Cheese
Goat cheese comes with its signature taste and smell, making it quite different from other cheese variants. This cheese type can be used as a Ricotta cheese substitute when you cannot tolerate cow milk. Unlike ricotta cheese, it lacks a creamy consistency and offers a solid and tough consistency.
Also, it has a rubbery texture, and you cannot use it directly in your recipes. It is combined with other cheese varieties like cream cheese or soft mozzarella cheese to adjust its consistency and bring a creamy texture. It is also a healthy and unique substitute for ricotta cheese that will make your recipes complete.
8. Greek Yogurt
If you run out of Ricotta cheese, Greek yogurt is another cool substitute you can use in some recipes. For its sweet tarty flavor and creamy texture, Greek yogurt can be used in some recipes like fruit salads, sandwich filling, and shakes. Greek yogurt has a thin consistency, and it is advised to use it in the strained form to achieve Ricotta-like smooth and thick consistency.
9. Quark
Quark is another smooth textured cream made from sour milk. However, it doesn’t taste like ricotta. Its creamy consistency makes it a cool alternative for the people who like Quark taste. Quark is readily available in Austria and Germany and can be used in various recipes of pizza, lasagna, pasta, sandwiches, and spreads.
FAQs
What can you replace ricotta cheese with?
You can replace ricotta cheese with soft mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, and pot cheese. These cheese variants with adjusted consistency and flavor can be used as Ricotta cheese substitutes in various foods.
What can I use for lasagna if I don’t have ricotta?
You can use fresh goat cheese and cottage cheese in lasagna if you don’t have Ricotta cheese. It is advised to adjust the consistency, texture, and flavor of goat cheese to get a ricotta-like flavor in the food.
Final Thoughts
Ricotta has a specific taste and texture, making it a favorite of lasagna and pasta lovers. However, if you don’t have ricotta, you have some superb alternatives that you can add to complete your recipes. Before choosing a specific ricotta substitute, it is advised to consider its taste, texture, flavor, and consistency. Depending on these factors, it may or may not fit a particular recipe.