13 Best Substitutes For Ricotta

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Ricotta is well known for its use in Italian cuisine, particularly with pasta. However, it can be a key ingredient in several other dishes, including fritters, omelets, sandwiches, and desserts. According to DeLallo, unlike other types of cheese, ricotta is made using a cheese byproduct, or latticino, otherwise known as whey. The liquid whey is essentially "recooked" at near-boiling temperatures after it has fermented for a couple of days. The resulting curds are filtered with a cloth, and the final product is the lasagna ingredient we know and love. 

Ricotta appears white and relatively firm in structure but is actually quite soft and creamy with a grainy consistency (via BBC Good Food). According to Stubborn Seed, if you purchase it fresh, it should have a rich, mild flavor with a slightly nutty taste. Because ricotta is a unique type of cheese (or, more accurately, a latticino), you may not always have it available when a recipe calls for it. But, since the ingredient often lends both its flavor and texture to a meal, you can't swap it out for just any alternative grocery item. That said, here are some of the best substitutions you can use in place of ricotta.

Like cottage cheese, cream cheese also has a mild flavor that makes it a good substitution for ricotta. However, unlike ricotta, it is slightly sweet and carries a little tang to it (via Cheese.com). According to Foodiosity, cream cheese is soft in texture due to being made from a blend of whole milk and heavy cream. As a result, the dairy product has a higher fat content, making it best suited for dishes that taste best with a richer flavor, says Foodiosity. This also means that cream cheese has a noticeably thicker consistency than ricotta and, as such, should be mixed fairly well before any substitution.

When replacing ricotta with cream cheese, you can use the same amounts. However, if you're making a recipe that requires a thinner consistency, consider using a small bowl to add one teaspoon of water to the cheese at a time and blending until you reach the desired consistency before adding it to your dish.

Ricotta is frequently used in Italian cuisine, so it makes sense that other types of Italian cheeses, including parmesan, mascarpone, and mozzarella, can be great substitutes. Parmesan cheese (which is technically a slightly bitter copycat of Parmigiano Reggiano, according to Cheese.com) has a somewhat harder consistency and more fat. So, while it isn't best as an exact replacement, it can be with the addition of other ingredients like cottage cheese to keep its taste and texture balanced.

Mascarpone is similar to cream cheese in that it is on the thicker side with a mild, sweet, and milky flavor (via Julie's Cafe Bakery). For that reason, when used as a ricotta substitute, it is best fit for desserts such as cannolis, tiramisu, and cheesecake. To match the consistency of the latticino, simply add a bit of cream to thin it out.

When you think of "Italian" cheese, mozzarella may be another variety that comes to mind. Since mozzarella is actually made with whey, in terms of relativeness, it may seem like a fitting match for ricotta. However, it is a bit stringier in comparison, so you will need to adjust your ratios accordingly for the substitution to account for the texture.

Crème frâiche is a smooth and creamy dairy ingredient that is often used in savory dishes. Like ricotta, it is also considered a "secondary milk product" (via Julie's Cafe Bakery). However, due to how it's processed, crème frâiche tends to be thicker and higher in fat (via Club Zest Gym), resulting in a distinct richness that's great for thickening sauces and soups.

In terms of taste, this ingredient shares a similar flavor profile with ricotta in that it is also slightly sour and salty, though it has an additional nuttiness. However, Julie's Cafe Bakery also notes that the former is generally more buttery, whereas the latter has more tang. That said, you can use crème frâiche for desserts like pies and cakes, and sides like mashed potatoes. It can also be used to complement most spices. If you don't happen to have this ingredient readily available, you can make your own crème frâiche at home by combining heavy cream and buttermilk.

Greek and standard yogurt are alike in that they are both made with the same ingredients and go through the same fermentation process. However, what makes Greek yogurt unique — and, therefore, a better alternative for swapping out ricotta — is that it is strained after culturing, resulting in a thicker consistency (via Healthline). Generally, Greek yogurt is a popular substitute in recipes that require a smooth, creamy, and moist result. If you happen to be out of sour cream, heavy cream, mayo, or ricotta, but have plenty of this ingredient on hand, you're in luck. This particular substitution works best if you happen to have just a little bit of the latticino left. 

According to Undeniably Dairy, for every cup of ricotta you need, replace it with ½ cup of ricotta mixed with ½ cup of Greek yogurt. However, if you're all tapped out, simply use ¾ cup of yogurt to replace 1 cup of cheese (via Miss Vickie).

For the lactose intolerant or those who follow a vegan diet, tofu makes a great replacement for ricotta, especially for savory dishes. Not only is the texture of this soy product similar to the cheese, but it can easily resemble it too. It also acts as a sponge in meals, soaking up and mimicking any strong flavors present. As an added bonus, tofu is also high in protein, so as a substitution in a dish that traditionally includes meat as an ingredient, like lasagna, it easily makes up the difference nutritionally.

Use firm or extra-firm tofu if you want it to achieve the same crumbly consistency as cheese. Otherwise, silken tofu also makes a nice, creamier substitute for ricotta, if needed. Simply drain a block of tofu, add it to a food processor, and pulse (via Feasting at Home). Mix in nutritional yeast and seasonings to amplify the cheesy flavor. Once you have your ideal blend of tofu and extra seasonings, swap it out at a one-to-one ratio with the latticino.

Also known as "white sauce," béchamel sauce is a combination of flour, milk, butter, and optional seasonings (usually nutmeg, salt, and pepper) that often serves as a base for other sauces (via Recipes from Italy). Think of it as a type of roux. Béchamel has a creamy consistency resembling that of Alfredo sauce — though its actually quite different, according to The Seattle Times. 

Béchamel sauce is extremely versatile and suitable for dishes like casseroles, soufflés, grilled roasted meats and vegetables, pasta, quiche, and more. Therefore, if you're looking to replace ricotta in any of these savory meals, this creamy ingredient is the way to go. Its simplified components mean that you can easily make it a home, even if you don't have a store-bought version readily available. If you happen to still have a little bit of ricotta left, try combining equal parts ricotta with béchamel sauce for a creamier result (via Foods Guy).