Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for ricotta cheese
Best swap for ricotta cheese: Cottage cheese, 1:1; blend smooth first for baking or filling; use whole-milk or low-fat, not nonfat, which turns watery when baked.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Ricotta Cheese?
The best swap for Ricotta Cheese is Cottage Cheese, 1:1; blend smooth first for baking or filling; use whole-milk or low-fat, not nonfat, which turns watery when baked. Another option is Cream Cheese, use 3/4 as much; richer, thin with a splash of milk. The table below also lists Mascarpone and Tofu (Soft/Silken), 4 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Cottage cheese | 1:1; blend smooth first for baking or filling; use whole-milk or low-fat, not nonfat, which turns watery when baked |
| Cream cheese | use 3/4 as much; richer, thin with a splash of milk |
| Mascarpone | 1:1; richer and less grainy |
| Tofu (soft/silken) | 1:1 blended with lemon juice, salt and herbs; vegan option for lasagna and stuffed shells, not desserts; adds soy |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Buying more? Storage times for ricotta cheese