Check out this vegan version of ricotta cheese! In this recipe I use tofu to veganize this popular Italian cheese and it is unbelievably good! It is also so easy to make and can be used for anything from vegan lasagnas, to spreads, or as a topping for your yummy homemade vegan pizza, or on your favorite vegan pasta. 11 minute, creamy, dairy-free, nut-free, cheesy perfection. My Quick Vegan Tofu Ricotta can be used anywhere traditional ricotta is used! Oh, vegan cheeses - you gotta love 'em!
I was visiting my parents the other day and my mom asked if I could make a vegan ricotta recipe to go with dinner.
"Sure!" I said. I have a cashew or a macadamia nut ricotta recipe already on the blog. But alas, the nut situation in mom's cupboard was a little grim. My vegan cooking brain started assessing the situation and I found a block of tofu, and told her I can make ricotta with that. Go vegan cooking brain!
"Great, how long will that take?" She asked.
I drummed my head and said "er.....11 minutes."
"Oh, hahaha, ok, well I can wait for that then." said mom.
When will she learn that my laziness in the kitchen means I want to get in and outta there as quickly as possible? My foodie mom not-so-secretly wishes I would take my blog from fuss-free vegan to fussy vegan. Not gonna happen, mom, not gonna happen. I'm a proud lazy cook!
Back to my Quick Vegan Tofu Ricotta. This is an easy peasy lemon sneezy kinda recipe. Just the way I like 'em! I'm constantly blown away by the wonders of tofu. If you are afraid this is gonna be all weird and whatnot, never fear! When my parents tasted it, their eyebrows shot up in shock at its perfect ricotta deliciousness. Creamy, mild, garlic, onion, and lemon zing. YES!
So now I have THREE ricotta recipes on my blog. I think it's fair to say I like vegan ricottas! See, isn't vegan cooking so much cooler? Instead of one boring store-bought product you can customize to your own taste preferences and ingredients. I believe the score is vegan: 18,392 to non-vegan: 0. (I'm not biased at all).
Use this Quick Vegan Tofu Ricotta anywhere you would use traditional ricotta. Serve as a snack with crackers, dollop onto pasta with tomato sauce, layer into lasagna, the possibilities are endless!
How To Make Vegan Tofu Ricotta:
Sauté your onions and garlic until translucent and have begun to brown.
Break the tofu into four pieces. Add to a food processor or blender. Add in the onions and garlic and all of the remaining seasonings. Blend until smooth and creamy. Only stop to scrape the sides as needed.
Quick Vegan Tofu Ricotta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion,, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic,, minced
- 1 block (350g) extra-firm tofu, drained
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add in the onion and garlic and sauté until the onions turn translucent and begin to brown.
- Break the tofu into four pieces and add it to a food processor (recommended) or blender. Add the sauté onions and garlic, along with all of the remaining seasonings. Blend until smooth and creamy stopping to scrape the sides as needed. If your ricotta is too thick, add 1 - 2 tablespoons of water as needed to reach desired consistency.
Nutrition
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Enjoyed this recipe? Try these:
Christopher G says
How much onion by weight or cups do you suggest?
Susan says
I can't wait to try this! I have converted a lot of our old faves to vegetarian, and it's time to take it all the way vegan. Meat is easy to give up, cheese not so much.
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Enjoy, Susan!
Helen says
I put this on a pizza with olives and tomatoes, it tastes really cheesy!
RJ says
First time making vegan lasagna and used this tofu ricotta…wow! Texture and flavor were amazing. It will definitely be a meal prep staple. Thank you,Sara!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
We're glad to hear it!
sara says
For how long does it last in the fridge? Thanks Sam!
Laurie says
Can you freeze this?
Laurie says
Sam, would this ricotta freeze well? I love you recipes!!
Eboney F says
This ricotta recipe went well in my lasagna
Jen says
Thank you for this recipe! It made my eggplant rollatini actually healthy, and I can't wait to try it in other recipes.
sofia says
hello!!! want to make this recipe tonight, but i’m just wondering what i can use instead of miso paste? thanks !!
M says
I wondered that too. Also if it can be frozen. I hope Sam answers us.
Aida says
Why not a soft tofu it it goes in the blender anyway?
Sam Turnbull says
Provides a different texture. Soft tofu would make more of a pudding texture which would not be similar to ricotta.
dawn says
i have all ingredients on hand except extra firm tofu. would firm tofu work?
Tofu Friend says
Yes, it will! Just press it between tea towels under a heavy pan for 15 minutes, then use in the recipe!