Want to make tiramisu but out of Mascarpone cheese? We all love this velvety cheese, but unavailability is a real issue. Don’t worry; I’m here to handle this tricky situation. Read the article to learn about mascarpone cheese substitutes.
Mascarpone cheese originates from the Lombardy region of Italy. This Italian specialty is made from cow milk and has a velvety, soft, and smooth texture. It tops the charts with a rich, buttery, slightly sweet taste.
Mascarpone cheese is versatile cheese because both savory and sweet dishes use it. Risotto is one example, as are the desserts cheesecake, tiramisu, and cake frosting.
Some mascarpone cheese substitutes are ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, heavy cream, cream cheese combined, Greek yogurt, and English clotted cream.
If you want to learn about mascarpone cheese alternatives, how to use them in recipes, and their health advantages, continue reading.
13 Best Mascarpone Cheese Substitutes You Can Try!
1. Cream cheese
Cream cheese is an excellent substitute for mascarpone cheese. It exhibits salty and sour flavors with a soft texture. Cream cheese is a great substitute for mascarpone cheese in tiramisu and cheesecake.
From a health perspective, it has an excellent amount of protein and fat, vitamins A and B2, and several antioxidants beneficial to the body.
To get the perfect creamy consistency of mascarpone cheese, add full-fat heavy cream to it.
Pro Tip: Use full-fat cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese to substitute mascarpone.
Measure cream cheese in an even 1:1 substitution for mascarpone cheese. Then, combine it in a food processor or with a hand mixer after adding a small amount of cream or milk.
2. Sour cream
Sour cream is a popular substitute for mascarpone cheese. Made by fermenting cream from dairy milk, it has a similarly rich and smooth texture with a bad taste to mascarpone cheese.
Due to its tangy punch, you can use sour cream as a mascarpone substitute in savory dishes like soups, dressings, dips, and sauces.
From a health point of view, it is low in carbs, has some probiotics, and has some vitamins and minerals. Use sour cream in a 1:1 exchange for mascarpone cheese.
Pro tip: Use full-fat sour cream instead of regular sour cream to achieve the ideal consistency.
3. Crème Fraîche
Crème fraîche is a specialty of France made from heavy cream and has a tangy and slightly nutty flavor with a rich and creamy texture.
While it is not thick and fatty like mascarpone cheese, it still works as a substitute.
As a mascarpone cheese substitute, it works well in savory dishes like thick soups, stews, pizzas, sauces, and cheesecakes. Measure crème fraîche in an even 1:1 substitution for mascarpone cheese.
4. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is a great substitute for mascarpone cheese. From a flavor profile, it is milky, sweet, smooth, and spreadable similar to mascarpone cheese. It is moist and cheese with a grainy texture.
You can use ricotta cheese as a mascarpone cheese substitute in desserts like Ricotta Pie and cheesecake. It has many health benefits, a great source of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamins like A, B12, and K.
You can use ricotta cheese with some tweaks with a 1:1 substitution ratio.
5. Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is one of the healthiest mascarpone cheese substitutes. It is created by mixing an acid with pasteurized milk to separate the milk solids. It tastes tangy and creamy, much like yogurt.
Cottage cheese is used in dishes that don’t require the exact flavor of mascarpone cheese because of the texture difference between it and that cheese. You can use it in dips and pasta.
It is very nutrient-dense, loaded with proteins and vitamin B12, and promotes weight loss from a health perspective. Measure cottage cheese in an even 1:1 substitution for mascarpone cheese.
6. Requesón cheese
Requesón cheese is a Latin cheese made in Brazil and Portugal. Sheep, goat, or cow milk, pasteurized or unpasteurized, is used to make it.
It has a strong, salty flavor and a spreadable, creamy, and grainy texture. It can take the place of mascarpone when making savory dishes. You can use it as a pizza sauce or give a creamy touch to roasted vegetables.
It has numerous health advantages. Low in fat and simple to digest, it is an excellent source of proteins and amino acids. Substitute mascarpone for you by using the same quantity of Requesón cheese.
7. Greek Yogurt
If there is Greek yogurt in your pantry, you can use it as a mascarpone cheese substitute. It has a tangy flavor with a thick and velvety texture.
Due to its tanginess, it is used in savory dishes. Although, it can be most effective with recipes that call for mixing substitutes, like pasta, soup, etc.
Greek yogurt supports gut and heart health and is a healthy alternative because it contains proteins and iodine. Use the same quantity of Greek yogurt as a substitute for mascarpone cheese.
8. Clotted Cream
Clotted cream is one of the staple foods in England and can be used as a mascarpone cheese substitute. As per the taste profile, it has a richly sweet and nutty flavor with a grainy texture.
Both savory and sweet recipes call for it. It worked best as a delicious spread on toast and crumpets. Clotted cream is high in fiber and packed with vitamins and nutrients like vitamins A and E, calcium, and iodine.
Measure clotted cheese in an even 1:1 substitution for mascarpone cheese
9. Vegan Mascarpone
For those following vegan diets, vegan mascarpone is a fantastic substitute. Cashew nuts are blended to make it. It is similar in taste and texture to mascarpone cheese.
It is used as a direct mascarpone substitute in savory and sweet dishes. You can make vegan mascarpone into cheesecake, use it as a tart filling, or use it as pizza sauce.
It works best for people allergic to mascarpone cheese or who want to follow a low-dairy or low-sugar diet. Use the same quantity of Greek yogurt as mascarpone cheese in your recipes.
10. Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is a good mascarpone cheese substitute. Made with soy milk, it is vegan. As its name suggests, it has a silky texture and a rich, creamy flavor.
Compared to mascarpone cheese, its flavor is so strong. Combine cream cheese and silken tofu to make mascarpone cheese with the perfect taste and texture.
You can use this mixture in both savory dishes and sweet dishes. You can use it as pizza sauce, up your soup with it, or make your favorite desserts like cheesecakes or tiramisu.
To use silken tofu as a mascarpone cheese substitute, blend 3-part vegan cheese with 1-part silken tofu to get the desired consistency.
11. Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is a great nut-free alternative to mascarpone cheese. Due to the use of coconut in its creation, it has a thick consistency and a coconutty flavor.
Since it has a strong flavor compared to the mascarpone cheese’s unique flavor, you can use it in dishes without changing the general flavor profile.
It works well in both savory and sweet dishes. You can use it in soups, fruits, and cakes.
Coconut cream is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, and magnesium. It also has no trans fats and does not contain cholesterol.
Measure clotted cheese in an even 1:1 substitution for mascarpone cheese
Pro tip: Blend lemon juice with coconut cream to make a closer substitute for mascarpone cheese.
12. Cashew Cream
Cashew cream is one of the best vegan substitutes for mascarpone cheese. It is the best substitute if you don’t like the overpowering flavor of coconut in your recipe.
It has a creamy, nutty, and buttery taste with a grainy texture. From a health point of view, it has less cholesterol and minerals like copper and fiber.
To make cashew cream at home, combine one cup of cashews, half a cup of non-dairy milk, and one-half cup of sweeteners to create a paste. Then cook this paste on the stove to get the desired thick consistency.
To make it as desired consistency, replace it in a 1:1 ratio.
13. Butter
If you don’t have anything, then use it better. It can work but is not a perfect alternative to mascarpone cheese. It can enhance the taste and texture of any savory dish with its soft, creamy, and rich flavor.
From a health standpoint, butter contains vitamin D and calcium. Use the same quantity of butter as a sub for mascarpone cheese when substituting the latter in recipes.
Short Recap Of The Best Mascarpone Cheese Substitutes
Here is a quick recap of the Mascarpone Cheese Substitutes
Best Mascarpone cheese Substitutes Substitutes in Terms of Flavor and Texture-
- Cream Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese
- Crème Fraîche
Best Mascarpone cheese Substitutes Should Be Least Considered-
- Butter
- Cashew Cream
Best Mascarpone Cheese Dairy-Free Substitutes:
- Cream Cheese
- Coconut Milk
- Cashew Butter
- Silken Tofu
Best Mascarpone Cheese Vegan Substitutes:
- Silken Tofu
- Vegan Mascarpone
How To Substitute Mascarpone Cheese In A Recipe
13 Best Mascarpone Cheese Substitutes You Can Try!
Ingredients
- Cream cheese
- Sour Cream
- Crème Fraîche
- Ricotta Cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Requesón cheese
- Greek Yogurt
- Clotted Cream
- Vegan Mascarpone
- Silken Tofu
- Coconut Cream
- Cashew Cream
- Butter
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Final Word
As we are nearing the end of this article, I hope you get an answer to the question you were searching for. These are all excellent Mascarpone Cheese alternatives.
However, we both know that practically nothing can match mascarpone cheese flavor, which is rich, creamy, and sweet. I hope you found a good substitute according to what you are making.
I hope to see you with some more good articles. Cheers!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I replace mascarpone with cream cheese?
Yes, you can replace mascarpone with cream cheese with a substitution ratio of 1:1.
Is mascarpone the same as whipping cream?
Mascarpone whipped cream is “stabilized whipped cream” because it’s thicker and more stable than whipped cream, meaning it holds its shape much better.
What would be a suitable substitute for mascarpone in a vegan dessert?
You can use cream cheese and coconut cream as an alternative to mascarpone.
What can I use instead of mascarpone cheese for tiramisu?
Cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and sour cream can substitute for tiramisu.
What are the healthy substitutes for mascarpone cheese?
Greek yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese are low-fat varieties.
