Vegan Ricotta Cheese (Best Brands + Tofu Ricotta Recipe)

Say goodbye to dairy, but not to creamy, dreamy cheese, because vegan ricotta is here to steal the show! This plant-powered alternative brings the same lusciously lumpy texture and vivacious versatility to your kitchen, minus the moo. It’s a good thing, too!

Thankfully, we now live in a world where dairy is no longer the only route to creamy indulgence—yippee! With that said, we’ve collected a list of the top tasty vegan ricotta cheese brands. You’ll find many delectable, dairy-free alternatives that will certainly delight your palate. Plus, we’ll sweeten the deal with an enticing Vegan Ricotta cheese recipe that will totally knock your socks off.

If you’re ready to delve into all things creamy and cheesy, let’s get started!

What is Ricotta Cheese?

Ricotta cheese is a creamy, soft cheese of Italian origin made from the whey leftover during the production of other cheeses like mozzarella and provolone. It has a slightly grainy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it a versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes.

Some popular recipes made with ricotta cheese include:

• Lasagna (or Lasagna Soup)
• Stuffed Shells
• Ravioli
• Crostini
• Charcuterie Boards

While traditional ricotta is made from dairy, vegan alternatives have become increasingly popular, using plant-based ingredients to recreate its texture and taste.

Is Ricotta Cheese Vegan?

Traditional ricotta cheese is not vegan because it uses whey from cow’s milk (or possibly goat’s milk). Dairy-free ricotta cheese brands use tofu, almond milk, or cashews as a base.

The nubbly-bubbly texture is more difficult to create without the animal products, but the brands below have worked their magic and made us proud!

Best Vegan Ricotta Cheese Brands

Navigate the vegan ricotta cheese corner with our handpicked list of standout brands. They offer a variety of rich and creamy plant-based choices to enhance and flavor your favorite dishes. From a luscious lasagna dinner casserole to a light and crispy bruschetta appetizer, these cheeses have got you covered—delish!

Kite Hill

Plant-based ricotta cheese by Kite Hill is artfully crafted from almond milk and captures the flavor and texture of traditional Italian ricotta. It has a lovely, velvety texture and rich, nutty undertones, making it a versatile and delectable dairy-free choice. Also available in a whipped version.

New Roots

Dairy-free “La Cotta” from New Roots is a European-inspired ricotta cheese with a foundation of organic cashews. This brand boasts a light, creamy, artisanal texture, and a wonderful blend of flavors. Lactose-free and made in Switzerland.

Reine

Reine’s vegan almond ricotta offers a smooth and creamy dairy-free alternative, providing a mild and neutral flavor perfect for a wide range of savory and sweet dishes. This non-melting variety is perfect hot or cold and contains no coconut oil, gums, or starches.

Tofutti

Better than Ricotta from Tofutti is a versatile and soy-based option with a creamy consistency, making it a convenient addition to your plant-based recipes and a go-to choice for those seeking a mild, neutral flavor. Excellent for pasta, lasagna, cheesecake, pizza, cannoli, salads, bruschetta, and adding to flatbreads.

Treeline

Treeline’s delicious non-dairy cashew ricotta uses a foolproof formula of creamy cashews and live, active cultures. The beautifully balanced flavor has a subtle tanginess, delivering a versatile, dairy-free choice for all ricotta lovers. Their blend is also free of soy, gluten, and lactose.

Dairy-Free Ricotta Cheese FAQs

How To Make Vegan Ricotta Cheese

Although you can easily find vegan ricotta cheese recipes online, this tofu ricotta recipe from Allison Rivers Samson is our favorite! It’s a simple and delicious plant-based ricotta recipe for beginners, as well as a great choice for more experienced vegan cheese crafters.

Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe

Author: Allison Rivers Samson | The Dairy Freedom Cookbook

5 from 5 votes

This recipe will free you from any fear you may have of tofu. Used as a blank canvas, tofu takes on the flavors of what it’s mixed with, and in this case, creates a robust, creamy, protein-rich cheese that can be added to any dish that calls for ricotta. Stuffed pasta shells, anyone?

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1.5 cups, about 8 servings

Equipment

• food processor

Ingredients

• 8 ounces extra firm tofu, rinsed and squeezed to remove the water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, sliced into ribbons or chiffonade
• ½ cup canned olives, Allison’s favorite is Santa Barbara’s ripe green olives in a can
• 1½ teaspoons capers, drained

Instructions

• In a food processor, purée tofu, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Process until desired smoothness is achieved.
• Add basil, olives, and capers. Pulse 2-3 times for a rough chop.

Course Appetizer or Snack, Condiment, Dip, Spread

Keyword dairy-free ricotta recipe, tofu ricotta, vegan ricotta

More Creamy and Delicious Vegan Cheeses

• For those that savory the “stinky” cheese, this Vegan Blue Cheese guide is your best bet!
• Bagel lovers will find a variety of wonderful creamy cheeses in the Vegan Cream Cheese collection.
• The perfect pizza needs just the right type of Vegan Mozzarella cheese, like these!
• There’s nothing bedda than chedda! Check out our Vegan Cheddar guide for all things cheesy.
• It’s hard to find just the right flavored feta, you might find this Vegan Feta round-up really helpful. Bonus, there’s a feta cheese recipe to try, too!

Vegan ricotta cheese recipe shared with permission from The Dairy Freedom Cookbook by Allison Rivers Samson and Michelle Cehn.