Vegan ricotta cheese, made with only 6 healthy plant-based ingredients. This recipe is super easy to make, soy-free (no tofu!), and ready in just a few minutes. It’s perfect for vegan lasagna or can be enjoyed as a dip!
I love to make simple recipes that contain only a few ingredients and don’t take a lot of time. This chickpea ricotta is a recipe that everyone can make, it’s ridiculously simple. If you love dips with a cheesy taste, look no further.
As per Wikipedia Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from sheep, cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo milk whey left over from the production of other cheeses.
Does my own homemade ricotta cheese taste exactly the same? Probably not, however, it’s still very delicious!
Ricotta Cheese Substitute with only 6 Ingredients
Yes, that’s right! I am sure everyone has salt and pepper at home, therefore you only need to buy 6 ingredients for this dairy-free ricotta. But maybe you already have all the ingredients. Let’s see:
- Chickpeas – either canned or cooked from dry
- Garlic – adds a wonderful flavor and has many health benefits
- Lemon juice – you can use lime juice or apple cider vinegar instead
- Plant-based milk – any dairy-free milk is fine. Some examples are almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc.
- Nutritional yeast – it will add a cheesy flavor.
- Almond flour – you can use ground sunflower seeds or cashews instead (for cashew ricotta).
All measurements can be found in the recipe card below!
How To Make Vegan Ricotta Cheese?
- Process chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, salt & pepper in a food processor. Then add plant-based milk and pulse again.
- Here is how the homemade ricotta cheese alternative will look after adding nutritional yeast and almond flour.
- The texture shouldn’t be super smooth, it’s fine if it’s a little chunky. And that’s it! I told you, the recipe is very easy.
- If you can’t have chickpeas, you could make tofu ricotta. I tried it once but wasn’t super impressed with the taste.
How To Serve?
I love to put it on my creamy Vegan Lasagna Soup. You can see a photo of it below! Also, you can use it to make stuffed shells or Vegan Lasagna Rolls! Or simply use it as a dip with crackers or veggies instead of hummus. The possibilities are endless! đŸ™‚
Can I freeze it?
Yes, you can freeze this homemade vegan ricotta cheese for up to 3 months. Or store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
This Almond Ricotta Is:
- Vegan (dairy-free)
- Flavorful
- Soy-free
- Gluten-free
- Easy to make
- Perfect as a side dish
Should you give this vegan ricotta a try, please leave a comment and rating below, and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan #elavegan because I would love to see how your chickpea ricotta turned out! ????
Do you love dips/sauces? Make sure to also check out my other vegan recipes:
- Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Instant Pot Refried Beans
- Oil-Free Hummus
- Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce
- Vegan French Onion Dip (Easy Recipe)
- Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
- Easy Peanut Sauce (The Best Recipe)
Vegan Ricotta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can of (275 g) chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4-5 tbsp plant-based milk
- 2-3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/3 cup (40 g) almond flour
Instructions
- You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.Process chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, salt & pepper in a food processor.
- Scrape down the sides of the processor with a spatula or spoon, add plant-based milk and pulse again.
- Add nutritional yeast and almond flour and pulse again, scraping down the sides of the processor if needed.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. Add more salt/pepper or lemon juice and mix again.
- Use in any recipe that calls for ricotta cheese, for example, my Vegan Lasagna Soup or use as a dip (for crackers, veggies, etc.).
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can use finely ground sunflower seeds or cashew nuts instead of almonds.
- The nutritional yeast will add a "cheesy" taste. If you don't use it, increase the amount of almond flour.
- Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Equipment
Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
Can I use walnuts instead ?
I haven’t tried it, but it might work.
Can I substitute white beans for the chickpeas?
That should be okay!
could hemp seeds be used in place of nuts?
That should work fine! đŸ™‚
I used this in a Mexican lasagna I made. I am new to cooking and baking dairy free, so I was Skeptical at first but this is very delicious!! Thank you!!
I am glad it turned out delicious! Thanks for your feedback, Rebecca. đŸ™‚
Instead of almond flour, can I replace it for oat flour? Or regular flour?
No, Judy. You could use any other finely ground nuts instead of ground almonds (which is almond flour). You cannot use oat flour or all-purpose flour. I hope this helps.
I am very sensitive to nuts and seeds but really want to try this recipe. Any ideas for a replacement or could I just leave them out? Usually manage most of your wonderful recipes but this has me stumped ????
Hi Lesley, are you able to eat peanuts? Peanuts are legumes, so most people with nut allergies can have them. However, there are also many people that have a peanut allergy. If you can have peanuts, I would simply blend peanuts in a blender or electric spice/coffee grinder and use that instead of almond flour. The peanuts will add a nice flavor and texture. Hope this helps! đŸ™‚
Ela
This was just perfect recipe. I made it with a few jamaican spices and even a jerk version. It was delicious.
I am glad you liked the recipe, Elorine! đŸ™‚
Hi Ella.
Your vegan ricotta is the first vegan lasagna filling that sounds perfect. I plan to make it in lasagna this weekend.
I have to eat vegan and gluten free and you make it fun and easy to do.
Grace
That’s awesome, Grace! I hope you will enjoy it. đŸ™‚
This looks great, however I’m allergic to nuts. Do you think chickpea flour, potato flour, or rice flour would work in place of the almond flour?
Hi Sue! I wouldn’t recommend any of these flours as they are totally different from almond flour (almond flour is 100% finely ground almonds) and furthermore they shouldn’t be consumed raw. I would suggest using ground sunflower seeds instead. đŸ™‚
What about coconut flour. If using for lasagna, wouldn’t it be cooked and not raw? I don’t do nuts.
Coconut fiber is mainly fiber with very little fat and I definitely do NOT recommend it in this recipe. As mentioned before, ground sunflower seeds might work well. đŸ™‚
This ricotta looks so super yummy! Will try it soon ????
I hope you will love it my dear! đŸ™‚
Another great recipe Ela, love this vegan ricotta cheese, such a great use for chickpeas!
Thank you, Anna! So glad you love it. Happy weekend dear. đŸ™‚
this is just hummus.
Nope, it’s not! It’s similar but tastes different and has a different texture. đŸ˜‰