You are looking for the best Neufchatel cheese substitutes because saying cheese makes you smile, and eating it makes you ecstatic! No doubt, cheese is a much-loved topping, and Neufchatel cheese is undoubtedly one of the best out there.
Despite being our favorite, it can run out easily. It is essentially wise and best if you know its substitutes. Some of the best Neufchatel substitutes are cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, farmer’s cheese, and goat cheese.
(Just in case, if you are a big geek on right pronunciation like Ross from F.R.I.E.N.D.S, it is pronounced ‘noof-sha-tel’).
Neufchatel is like the grandpa cheese hailing from France. Believe me, its origin dates back to the 6th century! It is a heart-shaped, lovable glob of cheese with a nutty flavor. Its versatility makes it a popular ingredient in sandwiches, crackers, bagels, etc.
So, what’ll you do if you are craving a cheesecake with no Neufchatel cheese on hand? Don’t worry. Let me first bore you with a few takeaways about this cheese and then give you suitable substitutes. Bear with me, and come on!
Quick Peek: Neufchatel Cheese
The following scribbles tell you what Neufchatel cheese is, its flavor, texture, culinary uses, and health benefits.
What Is Neufchatel Cheese?
Neufchatel is an unripe type of cheese coming from the land of France. Also, it is heart-shaped (Aww!) with low-fat content. It is one of the oldest types of cheese in France. It has an AOC certification from the French government, a geographical indication.
Neufchatel Cheese Vs. Cream Cheese
Do you think I am talking about cream cheese here? Absolutely not! Neufchatel cheese and cream cheese are interchangeably used but are not the same. In fact, the cream cheese that you devour was initially made by adding cream to Neufchatel. Shall we thank William Lawrence, the dairyman, for that?!
Describing Neufchatel Cheese: Flavor and Texture
Neufchatel cheese has a milky, tangy taste with a granular texture and rich moisture content. Some deem the taste of Neufchatel to be nutty and yeasty, resembling Camembert cheese. It is usually found in the shape of a heart but is also sold in logs and boxes.
Uses of Neufchatel Cheese
Neufchatel cheese is a much-preferred cheese variety for many reasons. It has less fat and high moisture content, unlike cream cheese. This is the case if it is prepared using unpasteurized milk (Pasteurized milk equates to high fat).
Neufchatel cheese comes in many sizes and shapes; cylinders, squares, bricks, etc. It is deemed a lovely spreadable cheese as it can be excellent as toppings for your bagels and pasta. It is also used as dips for desserts and yummy spreads for sandwiches or tacos.
Neufchatel Cheese On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
Compared to other types of cheeses, Neufchatel cheese has low-calorie content. It is also a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and protein. Neufchatel cheese also contains antioxidants beneficial for our overall health and supports the healthy functioning of our gut. The presence of calcium in Neufchatel cheese helps in the formation of bones and teeth.
Why Should We Substitute Neufchatel Cheese?
You might easily run out of cheese if you are a lover of cheese. We can’t leave our favorite recipe hanging in the air just because you don’t have Neufchatel cheese, right? Although easily available, Neufchatel cheese has a short shelf life and is quite expensive. That is why we are on a mission here to find the best substitutes for Neufchatel cheese. Let us get to the point and discuss them.
Other Food Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Farmer’s Cheese Substitutes That Taste The Same
- Best Blue Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Cream Cheese Substitutes in Cheesecake
- Best Goat Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Cottage Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Gruyere Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Manchego Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Romano Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Havarti Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Cotija Cheese Substitutes You Can Try
10 Best Neufchatel Cheese Substitutes
Hold your heart and let us find the top ten substitutes for our heart-shaped cheese:
1. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is simply the blend of milk and cream. It has around 30% milk fat and 35% moisture content. It has a pearly, smooth, and shiny texture with a compromise of sweet and tangy flavors.
Used commonly in baking recipes, cream cheese is the best substitute for Neufchatel cheese. It has an intense flavor and can substitute for Neufchatel in cheesecakes, dips, sauces, and other baked food products.
2. Mascarpone Cheese
Coming from Italy, Mascarpone is a dense cheese variety made using heavy cream. It has a sweet, buttery flavor that renders mild sweetness to your recipes. It is comparable to double-crème brie cheese.
The buttery flavor of mascarpone cheese makes it a less favorable option for Neufchatel in every recipe because Neufchatel cheese has a tangy flavor. You may use Mascarpone to replace Neufchatel in desserts.
3. Cottage Cheese
Ready for a healthy substitute? Behold, the standard cottage cheese! It is a type of fresh cheese made using cow’s milk. It has a mushy, creamy texture with an incredible flavor. It is an excellent source of protein and contains many nutrients.
By using a blender or food processor, cottage cheese can be used to replace the granular texture of Neufchatel cheese in frostings, gravies, desserts, and so on. Cottage cheese can be paired with many food items – avocados, bananas, blackberries, pecans, and many more.
4. Ricotta
Ricotta is a type of cheese coming to us all the way from Italy. It is made by reheating whey that is left over during the production of other cheeses. It has a mild flavor with a gooey texture. It is a great source of calcium, B vitamins, iodine, phosphorus, and zinc.
Ricotta cheese has less fat and salt and thus can be a good Neufchatel cheese in recipes that call for it. It can be used to make pancakes, bake cheesecakes, as a savory base for any dish, and replace yogurt.
5. Farmer’s Cheese
Farmer’s cheese is simply pressed and unripened cheese. It can be made using the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. Also known as everyday cheese, it has a tangy flavor with flawless, shiny consistency. It has a firm texture due to the less moisture content in it.
Farmer’s cheese has a grainy texture akin to Neufchatel and thus can be a considerable alternative to Neufchatel cheese. You can use it as a filling or as a foundation in a cheese spread. You can also fry it and use it in sandwiches.
6. Goat Cheese
Chevre or Goat cheese is cheese made from goat’s milk. It comes to us in different flavors and textures. There is a lot of flavor difference depending on the time of consumption. It has a tangy flavor when eaten fresh.
When aged, goat cheese has a dense, creamy flavor, making it a considerable Neufchatel cheese substitute. Be mindful of the fat content, though. Goat cheese has higher fat than Neufchatel, so you may want to reduce the portion while substituting it in recipes.
7. Sour Cream
Sour cream is obtained due to the fermentation of cream with lactic acid bacteria. You might already know that millions of cheese lovers simply adore sour cream for its taste and flavor. Sour cream is used to make moist and flavorsome batters and doughs, creamy sauces, tasty dips, and salad dressings. Less in fat and high in tartness, what more do you want to emulate the flavor of Neufchatel cheese other than sour cream?
8. Cashew Cream Cheese
Vegans must be sighing now with relief. Yes, you now have a gluten-free substitute, healthy and simply yum. You can skip the part of running to the grocery store looking for this as it can be easily made at home.
Cashew cream cheese has a sharp, salty flavor and is incredibly delicious. No doubt, cashew cream cheese makes a great Neufchatel cheese substitute in sandwiches, pasta, or dessert frostings.
9. Hung Curd
Hung curd is basically the curd in which the whey has been fully drained. It is simply the Greek yogurt that we already know. (Haha, gotcha!) Hung curd is a significant, versatile ingredient in many dishes, especially in Indian cuisine. It has a sour flavor and smooth but thick consistency.
Hung curd can be used instead of Neufchatel cheese in dips, salads, and dressings. For a sweet taste, you can add sugar, honey, maple syrup, or any other sweetener of your choice.
10. Quark Cheese
Quark is a soft cheese made by heating milk that has been soured. It has a mild, neutral, tart flavor, similar to a mild sour cream, and a firm, thick texture. It is a major ingredient used in European cuisines. Since quark is devoid of salt or sugar, it is a healthy replacement for Neufchatel cheese. It is used in the making of salads, dishes, marinades, savory dishes, and desserts.
Short Recap Of Best Neufchatel Cheese Substitutes
That must have been an exhaustive read on the best Neufchatel cheese substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.
Flavor: The best Neufchatel cheese substitutes in terms of flavor are cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, and cottage cheese.
Texture: The best Neufchatel cheese substitutes in terms of texture are ricotta cheese and farmer’s cheese.
Vegan’s Choice: The best Neufchatel cheese substitutes for vegans are cashew cream cheese.
How To Use Neufchatel Cheese Substitutes In A Recipe
Neufchatel Cheese Substitutes
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese
- Mascarpone Cheese
- Cottage Cheese
- Ricotta
- Farmer’s Cheese
- Goat Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Cashew Cream Cheese
- Hung Curd
- Quark Cheese
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 proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Final Musings
There are many varieties of cheese, and every one of them has an authentic taste and flavor. Sometimes, it may be difficult to find substitutes.
But now you are all set with the Neufchatel cheese substitutes. Just give some time to choose the right cheese variety as per your flavor preferences and turn your recipes super yum. With a big smiley face, say cheese and bye-bye!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you substitute ricotta cheese for Neufchatel cheese?
Ricotta cheese can be used to substitute for Neufchatel cheese.
What does Neufchatel cheese taste like?
Neufchatel cheese has a sharp, salty flavor.
Is Neufchatel cheese Keto friendly?
Neufchatel cheese can be consumed in moderate amounts on a keto diet since it is high in fat.
Can you use Neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese for frosting?
Neufchatel cheese, being a low-fat cheese, can be used instead of cream cheese for frosting.
