Vegan Ricotta Cheese
This is seriously the best recipe for vegan ricotta cheese, and it’s so easy! It’s made with almond and tofu for the perfect texture and flavor. There are so many uses for it – stuffed shells, lasagna, pizza and you can even make it sweet for things like cannoli or breakfast toast. Makes about 3 cups.
Why I love this vegan ricotta
After years of being dairy free, I really found myself missing ricotta cheese. Stuffed shells and lasagna were always favorites of mine, and I love ricotta on a pizza or stirred into pasta sauce.
This year, I decided it was time to actually figure it out, and I tried a few different versions, mainly tofu ricotta. None of them were particularly fabulous, and I was always disappointed.
I decided to try my hand at making almond cheese after trying some I bought at the grocery store, and I figured I might as well try another batch of vegan ricotta cheese, too.
This time I went with a combination of almond and tofu, with some vegan yogurt added in to give this dairy free ricotta some extra tangy and mimic the flavor of real cheese.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it
Equipment
- Food processor
- Measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
- Optional: tofu press,
Base ingredients
- Slivered almonds
- Nutritional yeast
- Unsweetened vegan yogurt
How to make dairy free ricotta cheese
Prep your base ingredients. You’ll need to soak your almonds overnight and press the liquid out of your tofu before starting.
Measure the rest. Combine your prepared ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and measure out the rest, adding it to the processor.
Blend everything. Process the mixture until it resembles the texture of real ricotta cheese.
Season to taste. If it seems too thick, stir in a bit of additional yogurt, or a splash of dairy free milk.
FAQs and tips for making the best vegan ricotta cheese
Is there a vegan substitute for cottage cheese?
There aren’t any vegan products of the market for cottage cheese, but there are several different brands of vegan ricotta available. This recipe wouldn’t be a perfect match, but you could use it as a substitute for cottage cheese.
What is vegan cheese made out of?
Vegan cheese varies depending on that flavor you’re going for, but it’s typically made from tofu, coconut or nuts, usually with the addition of nutritional yeast or other seasonings to create a cheesy flavor. This recipe uses a combination of almonds and tofu as it’s base.
Can we freeze ricotta cheese?
I haven’t tried freezing it myself, but based on my knowledge of the ingredients, I think this recipe would be perfect for freezing.
How do you drain tofu?
Place the tofu between paper towels and set it on a baking cooling rack. Then place something heavy on top (I use a cast iron pan or a heavy bowl), and allow time for the water to drain out. You can also use a tofu press.
More dairy free basics:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Alfredo sauce without cream
- Mashed potatoes without milk
- Homemade ranch dressing
- Vegan hot chocolate
- Vegan biscuits
- Hot fudge sauce recipe
Dairy free resources:
- Are eggs dairy?
- Substitutes for butter
- Our favorite dairy substitutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup slivered almonds (soaked overnight and drained)
- 6 ounces tofu (pressed)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dairy free yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic*
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley*
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Place ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.
- Blend until the mixture has reached the consistency of ricotta cheese, scrapping the sides of the bowl as needed. If cheese is too thick, stir in additional almond milk or yogurt.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.
Video
I know not many people make soy milk from the beans but for those who do or might… the soybean pulp (okara) that’s left behind after blending is a perfect texture for vegan ricotta… and it’s essentially free! I just add miso a bit of nooch, and seasonings, it’s awesome! I make yogurt from the soy milk, and “ricotta” from the pulp. Can’t decide if I’m frugal… or just cheap! 🙂
best vegan ricotta I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a few!)
Thanks!
Looking forward to try bing this. We love your broccoli cheese soup. I’m hopeful this will be good also. I’m thrilled you include an option for sweet ricotta cheese. I used to ricotta cheese, with sugar and cinnamon, as part of my breakfast. I miss it. Thank you, Melissa!!!
What type of dairy free yogurt do you use?
I always use So Delicious unsweetened plain coconut yogurt!
Looks so good? If I substitute almond flour because I can’t wait to make it, how much would you recommend using? Thank you!!
Almond flour might affect the texture of the end product, but it would probably work. I would recommend using the same weight, which would be about 160g.
My very dairy loving husband ate this ricotta and loved it. He usually turns his nose up at substitutes, but not this time. We made gluten free baked ziti with it, something I haven’t been able to eat in over a decade. Love it!
I’m wondering how long the extra will keep for. Maybe 3 days?
I would assume 3-5 days. Glad you loved it!