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    Home > Recipes > How-Tos

    Vegan Tofu Ricotta Cheese (4 Ingredients)

    Published: Aug 16, 2022 · Modified: Dec 15, 2022 by Iosune · This post may contain affiliate links · 75 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A slice of bread spread with some vegan tofu ricotta cheese and some basil leaves and black pepper on top.
    A bowl with vegan tofu ricotta cheese and some bread slices around.

    This vegan tofu ricotta cheese is a dairy-free alternative to classic ricotta. It's so cheesy and made in just 5 minutes with only 4 ingredients!

    It tastes so good you'll really think you're eating the real thing. Besides, it's made with tofu, completely nut-free (no cashews required), and packed with good-quality vegetable protein.

    A bowl with vegan tofu ricotta cheese and some bread slices spread with the cheese.

    I think this vegan ricotta is a great and easy way of making vegan cheese so affordably because it doesn't require any nuts, which are quite expensive. With this very simple recipe, you won't miss cheese ever again!

    This recipe is so simple you can actually make it every day, but it's also perfect to make all that festive recipes that require ricotta during the Holiday season.

    It works great with plenty of different dishes. You can use it as a dip with some crudités or vegan bread or spread it onto some crackers or vegan pizza.

    You can even add it to pasta recipes like vegan stuffed shells or vegan lasagna, or to any other recipes that call for ricotta cheese.

    Jump to:
    • 🌟 You’ll love this recipe because it is
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 📋 Substitutions & variations
    • 🍽 Equipment
    • ❄️ Storage
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • ❓Recipe FAQs
    • 🧀 More vegan cheese recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    🌟 You’ll love this recipe because it is

    • Ready in just 5 minutes from start to finish!
    • Made with only 4 ingredients you probably have on hand.
    • Ridiculously easy to make. You only need to add all the ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
    • The best dairy-free alternative to classic ricotta cheese.
    • So delicious as a spread, as a dip, or instead of ricotta in both savory and sweet dishes. For sweet dishes, I would add less salt, though.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make vegan tofu ricotta cheese.
    • Firm tofu: firm or extra firm tofu work best for this recipe.
    • Lemon juice.
    • Nutritional yeast: it gives this vegan ricotta the cheesy flavor, so it’s an important ingredient.
    • Salt: I used ionized salt, but any salt will do.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    🔪 Instructions

    Chopped tofu in a food processor.

    Step 1: Chop the tofu and add it to a food processor or a high-speed blender.

    Vegan tofu ricotta cheese in a food processor.

    Step 2: Add all the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

    📋 Substitutions & variations

    • Soft or silken tofu is also a good choice, but I prefer to use firm or extra firm tofu for the best texture.
    • You could also use white or apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice, but I think this cheese tastes better when using lemon juice.
    • If you can’t find nutritional yeast, you could also use brewer’s yeast, but keep in mind not all brands of brewer's yeast work as some of them have a strong bitter flavor.
    • Some add-ins you can incorporate into your vegan ricotta are garlic or onion powder, ground black pepper, white miso, or even some fresh or dried herbs (like basil, oregano, or parsley).

    🍽 Equipment

    To make this vegan ricotta you'll need:

    • Measuring tablespoons and measuring cups (or a scale) to weigh your ingredients.
    • A wooden board and a knife to chop the tofu.
    • A food processor or a high-speed blender to blend all the ingredients.

    A slice of bread spread with some vegan tofu ricotta cheese and some basil leaves, black pepper and olive oil on top.

    ❄️ Storage

    • Refrigerator: store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • Freezer: store the leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 

    💭 Expert tips

    • I never press the tofu when I make this recipe, but it's up to you. I think it's not necessary to get perfect consistency, though.
    • If your vegan ricotta is too dry, add a little bit of water or non-dairy milk.
    • If your vegan ricotta is too watery, add more tofu until you get the texture you're looking for.
    • Although a high-speed blender is okay, use a food processor for the best results.

    ❓Recipe FAQs

    Is ricotta vegan?

    No, regular ricotta is not vegan because it is a kind of dairy cheese, but this vegan ricotta recipe is the perfect dairy-free alternative.

    What is vegan ricotta made of?

    It can be made with several ingredients like tofu, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, or plant-based yogurt.

    Ingredients like nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, and dried or fresh herbs can also be used to add flavor.

    Can you make this vegan ricotta in advance?

    Yes, you can! Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, as it's made in just 5 minutes, I prefer to enjoy it freshly made.

    Is soy good for you?

    According to Harvard University, soy is a nutrient-dense source of plant-based protein that can safely be consumed several times a week.

    Besides, it is likely to provide health benefits, especially when eaten as an alternative to red and processed meat.

    🧀 More vegan cheese recipes

    • Photo of a bowl of vegan cheese
      Vegan Cheese
    • Photo of some vegan cream cheese spread onto a bagel
      Vegan Cream Cheese
    • A picture of a bowl of homemade cashew cheese with bread sticks
      Cashew Cheese

    ⭐️ Did you like this vegan tofu ricotta cheese? Please consider giving it a 5-star rating and comment below!

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl with vegan tofu ricotta cheese and some bread slices around.

    Vegan Tofu Ricotta Cheese

    This vegan tofu ricotta cheese is a dairy-free alternative to classic ricotta. It's so cheesy and made in just 5 minutes with only 4 ingredients!
    4.69 from 32 votes
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Course: Appetizers, How to, Side Dish, Snacks
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Iosune


    Ingredients 

    US Customary - Metric
    • 14 ounces firm tofu, drained
    • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 and ½ teaspoons salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Chop the tofu and add it to a food processor or a high-speed blender. I don’t usually press it, but it’s up to you.
    • Add all the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
    • Use the ricotta as you would traditional dairy ricotta, for both sweet and savory dishes, or as a spread or dip. For sweet dishes, I would add less salt, though.

    Notes

    • This recipe yields about 1 and ½ to 1 and ¾ cups (360-420 ml).
    Substitutions:
    • Soft or silken tofu is also a good choice, but I prefer to use firm or extra firm tofu for the best texture.
    • You could also use white or apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice, but I think this cheese tastes better when using lemon juice.
    • If you can’t find nutritional yeast, you could also use brewer’s yeast, but keep in mind not all brands of brewer's yeast work as some of them have a strong bitter flavor.
    Storage:
    • Refrigerator: store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • Freezer: store the leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim says

      May 21, 2023 at 3:17 pm

      I plan on using this with fruit rather that anything savory. Should I adjust ingredients?

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        May 22, 2023 at 10:08 pm

        Hi Kim! It's not necessary, but you could add less salt if you want 🙂

        Reply
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