The Best Vegan Ricotta with Tofu – Artisanal Vegan Cheese

Learn how to create the best vegan ricotta cheese! This rich, creamy artisanal vegan cheese is ideal for lasagna and more. Vegan ricotta tofu.

Welcome to the world of artisanal vegan cheese with this vegan ricotta tofu recipe! Vegan tofu ricotta has been around for years, but now it’s getting an authentic remake. This version of vegan ricotta cheese tastes just as good but has lower sodium levels and a more realistic texture. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this tasty take on vegan ricotta cheese. Get ready to elevate your artisanal vegan cheese game!

The Traditional Vegan Ricotta Tofu Based Recipe

When it comes to artisanal vegan cheese, a vegan ricotta tofu recipe has been a staple for many years. The traditional vegan ricotta recipe involves pressing tofu, blending it with some salt plus herbs and spices, and voila! You have vegan ricotta cheese. It’s a simple and delicious option for those looking to replace dairy ricotta in their recipes.

To make the traditional vegan ricotta cheese recipe, you will need a block of firm tofu, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, miso and/or salt, and pepper. The tofu is crumbled and mixed with the other ingredients to create a creamy, cheesy texture. While it may not be an exact replica of dairy ricotta, it still offers a tasty alternative for vegans.

However, there are some limitations to the traditional vegan ricotta recipe. One common complaint is that it can be a bit too watery, which can affect the overall texture and consistency of dishes. Additionally, the sodium levels can be quite high in the traditional recipe, making it less suitable for those watching their salt intake.

Developing a New Vegan Ricotta Cheese with Lactic Acid

Get ready for a game-changing upgrade to your vegan ricotta cheese! We’ve taken the traditional tofu ricotta recipe and elevated it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Say goodbye to watery and high-sodium alternatives and get ready to indulge in a more realistic and flavorful tofu ricotta. This artisanal vegan cheese recipe is going to blow your mind!

In the past couple of years of trying to shift to a plant based diet I spent a lot of my time focusing on meat and cheese substitutes. It wasn’t until sodium content became an issue for me that I wanted to have something better.

Ricotta cheese is naturally low in salt. Traditional vegan ricotta tofu recipes often rely heavily on miso and other salty seasonings for its flavor. I made this recipe low sodium like the original cheese, and added some other changes from the artisanal vegan cheese toolbox for texture and moisture retention too.

To achieve this upgrade, we’ve introduced two key ingredients: plant-based lactic acid and psyllium husk fiber. These ingredients work together to create a creamier texture and enhance the cheesy flavor of the tofu ricotta. The plant-based lactic acid adds a tangy taste, similar to that of traditional dairy ricotta. While the psyllium husk fiber helps to bind the ingredients together, resulting in a thick and luscious consistency.

Ingredients For The Artisanal Vegan Cheese Recipe

• 16oz block of firm, tofu drained and pressed
• Unsweetened plant milk
• Soy milk powder
• Nutritional yeast
• Olive, or a clear oil
• Lemon juice
• Plant based lactic acid
• Psyllium fiber husk
• Guar gum
• Xanthan gum

Accordingly, I used an average 16 ounce block of firm tofu packaged and sold in water for this recipe. I like this kind for the consistency, it will keep little pearls of tofu similar to the curds in ricotta. Drained and pressed, it weighed 473 grams. If you’re using a different kind or size of tofu you will have to scale your ingredients to fit the amount of tofu you have, and likely add even less liquid if the tofu cannot be pressed.

Unfortified nutritional yeast has a much paler color than the fortified variety. The more color we keep out of the ingredients, the more realistic our tofu ricotta will be. I like the idea of the flavor of the lemon juice and olive oil, but you could use a neutral oil and vinegar also.

More links you might be interested in:

• Siete Dairy Free Queso Copycat – Elevated Plant-Based Cheese Seasoning
• Marinated Shaved Tofu Vegan Gyros With Plant-Based Tzatziki
• Vegan Cheese Sauce With Sodium Citrate
• Cheesy Vegan Alfredo Sauce Recipe – No Nuts or Cashews
• Smashed and Dried: The Secret to Delicious Jackfruit Recipes

Plant-based Lactic Acid and Psyllium Husk Fiber

The secret to the upgraded vegan ricotta lies in two incredible ingredients: plant-based lactic acid and psyllium husk fiber. Chiefly these ingredients work together to transform the traditional recipe into a more realistic and flavorful artisanal vegan cheese.

Plant-based lactic acid brings a tangy taste to the tofu ricotta, similar to the traditional dairy ricotta. It adds that delicious zing that elevates the flavor profile of the dish. On the other hand, psyllium husk fiber acts as a binder, helping to create a thick and luscious consistency. It ensures that the vegan ricotta holds its shape and doesn’t become watery like the traditional version.

Last update on 2025-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

But what exactly are these ingredients? Plant-based lactic acid is derived from fermentation, and it mimics the tanginess found in dairy products. Psyllium husk fiber, on the other hand, is a soluble fiber derived from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant. It has binding properties and is commonly used as a thickener in plant-based recipes.

Last update on 2025-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Coupled with these two ingredients, the vegan ricotta takes the texture that perfectly mimics its dairy counterpart. You won’t believe how amazing this artisanal vegan cheese is until you try it for yourself!

Artisanal Vegan Cheese Making Secrets

We’ve got a few special ingredients to give the dairy flavor that regular vegan ricotta tofu recipes are missing. A cup of rich plant milk and six tablespoons of soy milk powder lend a lot to a realistic base flavor. Two tablespoons of unfortified nutritional yeast gives the standard vegan ricotta cheese notes. A half a teaspoon of plant based lactic acid adds a bit of sour tang that fills in the rest to sell this cheese substitute to your brain. Last, a little lemon juice and olive oil add the acid and fat that we’re short from dairy ricotta and the flavor is done.

Last update on 2025-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Old school vegan ricotta has a texture that’s not a close match for the texture of ricotta despite the name. Ricotta is a soft and wet cheese, little twisted protein curds that keep the moisture and fat bound up well. Tofu crumbled by hand, or pulsed in a blender, is chunkier and drier.

When tofu is baked it will give up a some more of the liquid that’s bound inside and get a little rubbery. To get our vegan ricotta to cook like dairy ricotta, we blend in the plant milk with some xanthan gum, guar gum, corn starch, and powdered psyllium fiber husk. We’re not adding as much like we would to other artisanal vegan cheese recipes, just enough to match the bit of cohesiveness and firmness to match the viscosity of ricotta.

Substitutions For Thickeners In The Vegan Ricotta Recipe

Lastly, substitute recipes usually include some corn starch in the recipe to hopefully keep the tofu congealed in a mass like a ricotta cheese would cook like. I find that the starch urges the tofu to squeeze up tight during cooking and give up its moisture. The ingredients I use instead might not be available or accessible, and you could easily use two tablespoons of corn starch instead.

Last update on 2025-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2025-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Vegan Ricotta Cheese Making Process

• Add all of the ingredients except the tofu to the bowl of a food processor and run until smooth
• Crumble in the tofu and pulse until the vegan ricotta has been blended down to a consistency of minuscule grains or pears of tofu, but not yet completely smooth

Serving Suggestions

Are you ready to take your artisanal vegan cheese game to the next level? Once you’ve whipped up a batch of our delicious and realistic vegan ricotta, you might be wondering how best to enjoy it. Well, we’ve got you covered with some mouthwatering serving suggestions that will have you coming back for more.

One of the simplest and most satisfying ways to enjoy vegan ricotta cheese is as a spread on toast or crackers. The creamy texture and cheesy flavor make it the perfect accompaniment to your morning toast or a delicious snack throughout the day.

Furthermore, for a more substantial meal, try using vegan ricotta cheese as a filling for stuffed shells or lasagna. The rich and creamy texture pairs perfectly with pasta, and the plant-based lactic acid adds a tangy kick that complements the savory flavors of your favorite Italian dishes.

You can also get creative with vegan ricotta in your salads. Mix it with fresh herbs and veggies for a light and refreshing salad dressing or use it as a creamy topping for roasted vegetables.

No matter how you choose to enjoy it, our upgraded vegan ricotta cheese is sure to satisfy your cravings and impress even the most discerning cheese lovers. Give it a try and elevate your artisanal vegan cheese game today!

Tips and Storage

Use an icing piping bag, or even a plastic baggie with the corner snipped off, to stuff shells for a quick and easy prep. Vegan ricotta cheese can store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tired of plant based cheese shreds that don’t melt, or from losing the cheese flavor in an off tasting plant milk béchamel variant? Look no further than this Vegan Cheese Sauce With Sodium Citrate recipe to learn how to make the most amazing textured and flavored cheese sauce with any plant based cheese.

This creamy Vegan Ricotta Cheese is just one of several impressive vegan cheese recipes on the blog. If you’re interested in expanding your homemade vegan cheese skills further, you’ll appreciate the comforting Cheesy Vegan Alfredo Sauce Recipe, ideal for creamy pasta dishes. Or explore the versatile Siete Copycat Dairy-Free Queso – Vegan Cheese, a flavorful cheese-seasoning powder that adds a delicious cheesy taste to snacks and meals. For those aiming for advanced cheese-making techniques, don’t miss our sophisticated Vegan Cheese Sauce with Sodium Citrate, known for its superior meltability and creamy texture.