How to make store bought ricotta creamy?

Whipping ricotta in the food processor transforms it into an incredibly smooth, spreadable cheese—a blank canvas to be paired with any number of flavors and ingredients.

Why is ricotta not vegetarian?

It depends on how hard core they are and what the quality of the ricotta is. Traditional ricotta is made with rennet, which is an animal product, so kinda a no-no for vegetarians . It can be made with vinegar instead, but that creates a different flavor.

Why use an egg with ricotta cheese?

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny .

How do you make store bought ricotta taste better?

You can also add garlic powder, black pepper, fresh basil, or shredded mozzarella cheese for an added boost of flavor. For desserts, there are so many delicious ways to flavor your ricotta. Try using lemon zest, chocolate chips, maple syrup, or Nutella.

Do I have to add egg to ricotta filling?

Eggs help bind the ricotta cheese, but if you don't have eggs on hand then it's OK to omit them . Adding egg to ricotta cheese helps to bind the cheese for lasagna so that it doesn't ooze out of the casserole when you cut it. Basically, the egg helps all the cheesy goodness stay intact.

What flavors go well with ricotta?

You can smear ricotta on toast and then top it with almost anything for an easy meal. Try it with corn and scallions, or pesto and tomatoes, or a fried egg . You can also eat it for dessert: top with strawberries and honey or banana and nutella. Get the recipes here.

Who makes dairy free ricotta cheese?

Tofutti Brands, Inc. - Dairy-Free, Vegan.

What was vegan cheese made out of?

What Ingredients Are in Vegan Cheese? Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins. Usually, they're made from soy; nuts, such as cashews and macadamias; and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil . You can also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.

What is a healthy substitute for ricotta cheese?

Cottage cheese : As far as ricotta substitutes go, light and mild cottage cheese is your best bet. In fact, some people prefer to use cottage cheese because it has a similar flavor and fewer calories.

Easy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (2024)

Last modified: August 3, 2023. Originally posted: August 3, 2023 By Sophia DeSantis

This post may contain paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This cashew ricotta recipe is so easy to make using 3 simple ingredients and water. It's vegan and the perfect sub for any recipe!

The flavor and texture is spot on! We use it for everything from pasta, lasagna and pizza.

Easy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (1)

Easy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (2)

This recipe was originally published on 11/18/13

If you're trying to be dairy free, you're going to want to make this vegan ricotta cheese! It's amazing in my traditional vegan vegetable lasagna, but also great to use for dips or to spread on flatbreads.

Ingredients

Whatever your reason for needing dairy alternatives, it's amazing to see what options are out there and what you can do with other ingredients to mimic the flavor and texture of items with dairy.

It really doesn't get more simple than this! Only a few ingredients and some water is all you need to make homemade vegan ricotta:

Raw cashews
Distilled white vinegar
Seasonings

Easy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (3)

How to Make Vegan Ricotta

Making homemade cashew ricotta cheese is extremely easy. Here's what to do:

Put ingredients into the food processor and blend.
Use in everything!

Easy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (4)

Easy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (5)

How to Use Cashew Ricotta

Ricotta cheese is something that we use often since there are so many great recipes that use it, especially for our favorite, lasagna! Here are some tasty vegan recipes to try it in:

Vegan Pasta Bake
Pesto and Vegan Sausage Lasagna
Green Veggie Lasagna
Stuffed Shells
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Vegetable Lasagna
Butternut Squash Lasagna

Preparation tips

The best vegan ricotta is made using a food processor, it allows the mixture to blend well with the small amount of liquid you use for the ideal texture.
If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender. However, due to the small amount of liquid you'll have to stop and mix it often to get the ingredients moving.
Soak cashews overnight or boil them for 30 minutes to soften.
You can use raw slivered almonds instead of cashews for a very similar result. Another nut will work as well, but the flavor will be a bit different.

How to Store Vegan Ricotta

Seal the ricotta in an airtight container.
Store in fridge, for up to 5-7 days.
You can also freeze it!
- Keep in a freezer safe airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Defrost in the refrigerator before using.

Common Questions

What is vegan ricotta made of?

There are many ways people make vegan ricotta, tofu is one option. But my go to involves either cashews or almonds.

I use an almond based ricotta in these lemon ricotta pancakes, but I love the creaminess of cashews in general. The texture and flavor is pretty spot on, and it mixes well into any recipe.

What is a good substitute for ricotta cheese in lasagna?

Ricotta is an easy thing to substitute when trying to avoid dairy. You can use this vegan ricotta cheese recipe, but there are other things I do sometimes as well.

I like to use a vegan cream sauce instead of ricotta in some recipes, or you could even buy or make a vegan mozzarella. Another option if you're trying to add in more veggies, is to use riced cauliflower.

How do you store vegan ricotta cheese?

Once made, store your cashew ricotta in an airtight container in the fridge. It also freezes well, so you can make it in bulk for easy use when needed.

All you need to do to make sure it freezes well is cover the top of the cashew ricotta with plastic wrap, press does so it provides a seal. Then cover with the container top. This helps prevent freezer burn.

What can you do with vegan ricotta?

So many things! Make pizza, lasagna, ravioli, pasta galore! Or make pancakes, desserts, and even spread on crackers for a snack!

More Vegan Cheesy Recipes

If cheese is life but you're not eating dairy, check out these plant based alternatives after you've devoured this vegan ricotta cheese recipe:

The Best Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe
The Best Vegan Nacho Cheese
The Best Recipe for Vegan Cream Cheese
The Best Vegan Cheese Fondue