How to make ricotta without cheesecloth?

Set two layers of paper towels in a wire mesh sieve, and set over a large bowl. Gently pour the milk mixture into the sieve to strain out the liquid . You can let your ricotta strain up to 1 hour. The longer it sits, the firmer your ricotta will be, though I like it fresh and warm.

What can I use instead of cheesecloth to strain ricotta?

Paper towels are probably the easiest cheesecloth substitute as it's a staple of nearly every kitchen. Place a dampened paper towel inside a strainer to get a finer strain. Keep in mind that paper towels, especially when wet, aren't as durable as cheesecloth and may break. Coffee filters are another excellent choice.

Can I use a towel instead of cheesecloth?

A thin kitchen towel can be substituted for cheesecloth , but make sure it is not too thick as this may hinder the flow of liquids. Another option to consider for smaller tasks is gauze.

What is the purpose of egg in ricotta?

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 .

Why is ricotta not vegetarian?

The answer to whether ricotta cheese is suitable for vegetarians depends on how it is produced . Some ricotta uses animal rennet – a product derived from the lining of a calf's stomach. However, many commercially available ricotta cheeses use microbial, vegetable, or acid-based rennet to induce coagulation.

What is a healthy substitute for ricotta cheese?

Cottage cheese delivers a chunky texture, perfect for pancakes or quick bread; remember to give it a blend for smooth textures. Meanwhile, a bit tangier but creamy, Greek yogurt works like magic in dips or baked treats, an easy one-to-one sub for Ricotta shortages.

Can you make cheese without a cheesecloth?

In place of cheesecloth, you can use a laundry bag, nut milk bag (used for making almond milk), mesh bag (used for making alcohol), or a paint strainer bag (found in hardware stores) to strain broths, cheeses, yogurts, and other foods.

Can I strain ricotta with paper towel?

A fine mesh strainer may do the best job of draining thoroughly, but a colander will also work. Line the entire inside surface with cheesecloth, or another fine mesh cloth. Some people have even reported success with two layers of sturdy paper towels .

Can I use a coffee filter to strain ricotta cheese?

Add in the juice, give it one quick stir, and then let it sit for 5-10 minutes. After 5-10 minutes you are ready to start straining the cheese. Here I used coffee filters, cause I didn't have any cheesecloth, and they work just fine . Line a mesh colander with a few filters and let your cheese strain.

Can you use coffee filters instead of cheesecloth?

Instead of cheesecloth, just line a mesh strainer/sieve with a coffee filter . All the solids are strained out, leaving behind clear liquid. Cleanup is easy—throw the filter away.

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

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

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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