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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Cheese Recipes

    5-Minute Vegan Ricotta

    Updated Jun 30, 2022 by Lori · This post contains affiliate links.

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    The best vegan ricotta for recreating dairy-free versions of your favorite Italian recipes! It's creamy, versatile, easy, and amazing in everything from vegan lasagna to lemon ricotta pasta. Only 5 ingredients, 1 bowl, and 5 minutes to make a batch. Made with tofu, it's rich in plant-based protein and contains no nuts, oil or nutritional yeast.

    Large batch of tofu ricotta in a red bowl.

    This vegan ricotta is lightly adapted from the tofu ricotta recipe in Miyoko Schinner's book Artisan Vegan Cheese. Side note: with just a few tweaks it also makes the most amazing vegan cottage cheese.

    For a long time almond ricotta was my go to ricotta substitute. But over time my tastes (and tummy) have changed, and now I prefer this tofu-based version.

    Plain vegan yogurt is key to creating the flavor and creaminess you crave in a vegan ricotta. Combined with lemon, salt, herbs, and garlic it's just too delicious. I hope you love it, too!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make Vegan Ricotta
    • Ways to Use Vegan Ricotta
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    A labeled photo of ingredients needed for vegan ricotta: tofu, yogurt, lemon, salt, garlic, and herbs.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Firm tofu - I prefer regular firm for this recipe because it's creamier and softer, but extra-firm works, too.
    • Yogurt - whether made from oats, cashews, almonds, or soy, look for a plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt for this recipe. If you have trouble finding one in your local grocery store, you can always make your own. I have two yogurt recipes for you: cashew and almond. To keep this recipe nut-free, here's a super easy recipe for soy yogurt.
    • Lemon juice - this adds a subtle and fresh tanginess and contributes to the overall cheesy flavor.
    • Garlic powder - also adds a cheesy undertone and makes this taste more like classic ricotta. Feel free to taste the mixture first without it then decide. Omit it if you plan to use ricotta in a sweet recipe (more on this below).
    • Italian seasoning - the blend I'm currently using contains the following dried herbs. If you don't have a pre-made blend on hand, use a generous pinch of oregano and smaller amounts as you progress down the list. Then adjust to taste.
      • oregano
      • marjoram
      • thyme
      • rosemary
      • basil
      • sage
    • Salt - salt is critical for creating a cheesy flavor, even a mild cheese like ricotta. I used fine sea salt. Keep in mind that if you're using table salt it is much finer and saltier so you'll need less.

    See the recipe card below for quantities and printable recipe.

    Two photos showing the steps of mashing tofu with yogurt and seasonings.

    How to Make Vegan Ricotta

    Aside from being healthy and tasting amazing, one of the other great things about this recipe is how simple and quick it is. No special equipment required!

    1. First, drain the tofu. Wrap a tea towel or paper towels around it, and lightly squeeze over the sink to remove some of the water. No need to fully press the tofu. Place it in a bowl with the other ingredients.
    2. Use a fork to mash the tofu and incorporate everything very well. Taste and adjust the amount of yogurt, garlic powder, salt, and Italian herbs, as desired.

    Easy, right?! Enjoy now or refrigerate until ready to use.

    Creamy tofu ricotta in a small glass jar.

    Ways to Use Vegan Ricotta

    Breakfast - enjoy with bagels, toast, muffins, and stirred into tofu scramble for extra creaminess.

    Lunch - add vegan ricotta to pasta salads, green salads, sandwiches, and wraps for extra protein and a cool, cheesy element.

    Snacks & Appetizers - it's also great on crostini and raw veggies and in vegan stuffed mushrooms.

    Dinner - stir it into pasta, and make stuffed shells, stuffed peppers, lasagna, and baked ziti. It's also great dolloped on pizza and in this lemon ricotta pasta.

    Dessert - omit the garlic powder and dried herbs and reduce the salt, to taste. Add your favorite sweetener and serve with baked goods or fresh fruit. It's amazing paired with these air fryer peaches!

    And of course, vegan cannoli is a must.

    Substitutions

    • Tofu - if you want something similarly creamy that can be used in sweet or savory dishes, check out this almond ricotta. It's just as easy and versatile.
    • Lemon juice - you can experiment with replacing the lemon juice with a mild vinegar, but use less since vinegar is much stronger than lemon.
    • Garlic powder - if you don't like garlic powder, there's no harm in leaving it out. You can also use minced fresh garlic, or use onion powder to taste.
    • Nut-free - go for soy, coconut, or oat yogurt. Again, just make sure it's completely unflavored and unsweetened! For homemade, try this soy yogurt recipe.

    Variations

    Like most homemade vegan versions of dairy products, this one is easy to customize depending on how you plan to use it.

    With oil - if you include oil in your diet, add even more richness and flavor with a drizzle of olive oil.

    For sweet recipes - for dessert recipes that call for ricotta, omit the garlic powder and dried herbs and reduce the salt by half. Taste and add a bit more lemon juice if desired.

    Storage

    Store vegan ricotta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. As it sits some liquid may separate. You can either stir it back in or strain it away.

    Tofu ricotta freezes very well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

    You might also like:

    • Oil-Free Italian Salad Dressing
    • Vegan Feta Cheese
    • Vegan Parmesan Cheese 3 Ways (Nut-Free Option)
    • Easy Meltable Vegan Mozzarella Cheese

    As always, I love hearing from you! Comment below to let us know your favorite ways to use this healthy vegan ricotta cheese!

    📖 Recipe

    Batch of creamy vegan ricotta in a bowl with a spoon resting on the side.

    5-Minute Vegan Ricotta Cheese

    Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen
    Are you ready for the best vegan ricotta? It's creamy, versatile, and perfect for all of your favorite Italian recipes. Only 5 ingredients, 1 bowl, and 5 minutes to make a batch. Rich in plant-based protein, it's a satisfying addition to entree recipes. No nuts, oil, or nutritional yeast.
    Yield: makes about 2 cups.
    Recipe lightly adapted from the tofu ricotta in Miyoko Schinner's book Artisan Vegan Cheese.
    Servings: 5 servings
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Total Time: 5 mins

    Ingredients 

    • 1 (14 oz) package firm tofu - Extra firm can also be used.
    • ½ cup plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt - See Notes.
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt or mineral salt - See Notes re: sweet recipes.
    • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
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    Instructions
     

    • There's no need to press the tofu, but we do want to remove some of the water. Drain the package, and wrap a tea towel or paper towels around the block of tofu. Holding the tofu over the sink lightly squeeze to remove some of the water. Place the tofu in a bowl with the other ingredients.
      1 (14 oz) package firm tofu, ½ cup plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt or mineral salt, ¾ teaspoon garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
    • Use a fork to mash the tofu and incorporate it with the yogurt and seasonings. Mash until the ricotta is as creamy as you like.
    • Taste for seasoning, adding more yogurt, garlic, salt, and herbs, if desired. The tofu ricotta can be used now in a recipe or refrigerated for later use.

    Notes

    Yogurt 
    Whether made from oats, coconut, cashews, almonds, or soy, look for a plain, unsweetened non-dairy yogurt for this recipe. If you have trouble finding one in your local grocery store, you can always make your own. I have two yogurt recipes - cashew and almond. 
    Sweet vs Savory Uses
    The seasonings in this recipe are geared toward savory recipes. If you're planning to make a sweet recipe with ricotta, omit the garlic powder and Italian seasoning and start with half the amount of salt. Taste and adjust, adding more lemon if desired. 
    Storage
    Store vegan ricotta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. As it sits some liquid may separate. Either stir it back in or strain it away. Tofu ricotta is freezer friendly. From frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

    Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

    Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 8gFat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 355mgFiber: 1gCalcium: 164mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used. We calculate this information using the online calculator cronometer.com.

    Did you try the recipe?I LOVE hearing from you! Comment below to let us know.

    More Vegan Cheese Recipes

    • Almond Ricotta Cheese
    • 5-Minute Vegan Cottage Cheese (No Nuts)
    • Easy Vegan Quesadillas With Homemade Cheese
    • 25 Amazing Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes

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    Comments

    1. M

      June 30, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      I’ve made this before for your crockpot lasagna and it’s just perfect. A bonus that it’s so easy. Thanks!

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    Lori Rasmussen, Owner/Creator

    Hi, I'm Lori. Welcome to My Quiet Kitchen where I share easy vegan recipes with a healthier twist. Many are special diet-friendly or easily adapted. I also have a passion for veganizing classic desserts, and sometimes even those get a healthy-ish makeover.

    Learn more about me →

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