This vegan ricotta cheese recipe is easy, uses simple ingredients and perfect for everything from lasagna to pizza. The flavor is spot on!
This recipe was originally published on 11/18/13
This is the perfect alternative for any recipe that calls for traditional ricotta cheese. Dairy free ricotta made simply and with whole foods!
Whatever your reason for needing to cut dairy, 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.
Ingredients
It really doesn't get more simple than this! Only a few ingredients and some water is all you need to make Vegan Ricotta Cheese:
- Raw cashews
- Distilled white vinegar
- Seasonings
How to Make Vegan Ricotta
Making vegan cashew ricotta cheese is extremely easy. Here's what to do:
- Put ingredients into the food processor and blend.
- Use in everything!
How to use vegan ricotta
Ricotta cheese is something that we use often. There's so many great recipes that use ricotta, 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
Tips and tricks
When making your homemade vegan ricotta, keep these suggestion in mind:
- Using a food processor works best for texture because it allows the mixture to blend well with the small amount of liquid you use.
- 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.
- Store in an airtight container in the 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 before using.
Common Questions
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.
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.
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.
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:
Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cashews , soaked overnight (see note)
- ¼ cup water , add more if you want a more liquid texture
- 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper , optional
Instructions
- Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend until it resembles a ricotta like texture.
- Use as needed for anything and everything!
Notes
- 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.
- This recipe makes about 2 cups of ricotta, serving size is ¼ cup.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Muskan
I tried this and lemme tell you, it was the best ricotta I’ve ever had! Super good! Will definitely make it again!
veggiesdontbite
Happy you like it!
Cynthia
The absolute best. Just used it to make stuffed shells. My family loves the lasagna as well.
veggiesdontbite
So happy you liked it Cynthia!!
Rebecca
Can this be heated in the oven? Thinking of doinf stuffed courgettes
veggiesdontbite
Absolutely! I use it heated in things all the time!
Christine
Omg, so good I can't stop licking the spoon, better than store bought I can't wait to try in my recipe.
veggiesdontbite
Yay!!! So happy you like it!
KH
This was absolutely amazing! It can be used in so many things. My kids even liked it, they were dipping crackers in it. Thank you!
veggiesdontbite
I'm so happy you like it!!! Thank you so much!
Rick Randel
How long does this keep? Can it be frozen?
veggiesdontbite
Hi Rick! This can definitely be frozen, in fact I have some in my freezer now! In the fridge I'd say about a week.
JD
This works perfectly in lasagna or anything really!
Jenn
Hi! This looks so good! I'm thinking of making this along with your lasagna recipe for Christmas and was wondering if it would be okay to use something other than distilled white vinegar? Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar?
Thank you! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Hi Jenn! You can use another vinegar but it won't taste exactly as I made it. White vinegar is much more tangy and tart than the others. But they will work!