Substitutes for Cream Cheese

Cream cheese, with its mild cheesy taste and creamy soft texture that screams comfort food, is not only delicious but also quite adaptable. Moreover, if it weren’t for its high fat level, maybe no one would be seeking for a cream cheese alternative in the first place.

Nevertheless, with 34 g of fat and 342 calories per 100 g, it’s no surprise that many are looking for a healthier option. Do you want to know what the finest cream cheese alternative is? We’ll get there eventually, but remember that any decent substitute should have a comparable texture and flavor to cream cheese.

Moreover, the recipe makes all the difference. For example, the replacement you’ll use to cook spaghetti may be different from the one you’ll use to make cheesecake or baked goods.

What Is Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a soft, mild-flavored fresh cheese that may be used in both savory and sweet dishes. It’s great for spreads and dips, but it’s also often used in cooking to provide a thick, creamy texture to sauces and soups.

It may sometimes be used in lieu of butter when preparing cookies and cakes. Additional common applications include cheesecake, icing, sour cream, and others.

According to the FDA, it has a greater fat level than other varieties of cheese, with at least 33% milkfat. Philadelphia is the most popular cream cheese brand in the United States and across the globe. Yet, making cream cheese at home is not difficult.

Cream Cheese Alternatives

American Neufchatel Cheese

This is the first cream cheese made in the United States (its also known as farmers cheese). It was created by combining the original Neufchatel (one of France’s oldest varieties of cheese) with cream.

In a number of dishes, American Neufchatel cheese may be used in place of cream cheese. Why? They both have a rich creamy texture that lends themselves well to spreads and dips. Nevertheless, Neufchatel is somewhat more gritty, thus there may be a textural difference in cooked foods.

Taste-wise, they are pretty similar. Both are acidic, but Neufchatel has a less creamy flavor since it is manufactured from milk that has less fat than cream cheese. That is why it is advertised as a less fatty option. This is important to know, particularly if you are monitoring your waistline.

Mascarpone

Mascarpone is a wonderful contender for a sweet cream cheese substitute in icing, desserts, cheesecake, or tiramisu. This is an Italian cream cheese with greater fat (at least 40%) than American cream cheese.

Mascarpone’s greater fat content makes it more creamy and rich in flavor and texture. Hence, although it may be used in cheesecake, it may not be optimal since it is somewhat thicker than cream cheese. A little more lemon juice might help to lessen the richness.

Mascarpone might be a preferable substitute for cream cheese in unbaked cheesecake. Just careful not to overbeat it since the greater fat level may cause it to curdle somewhat. Just whisk it briefly by hand, then gently fold in the other ingredients until incorporated.

Its creamy, almost butter-like taste is ideal for tiramisu. It is more costly than cream cheese and more difficult to get.

Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta is an Italian fresh cheese prepared from the whey left over after making provolone, mozzarella, and other forms of cheese. It is often found in pasta and sweets.

Ricotta is a fantastic alternative for a healthy cream cheese replacement. It has less salt and fat than cream cheese and has a lumpier texture. When combined with strained yogurt, it becomes more smooth and versatile in a range of dishes. 1 cup Ricotta and strained yogurt may be used for 1 cup cream cheese.

Besides from being used in pasta, American variants of Ricotta are also delicious in cheesecakes and other baked delicacies.

Yogurt Cheese

Try yogurt cheese for a creamy, tangy option that is lower in fat and more nutritional. It has the consistency of thick cottage cheese and soft cream cheese. If you enjoy the tangy taste, you can simply spread it. 1 cup plain or Greek yogurt can substitute for 1 cup cream cheese.

Line a strainer with double-folded cheesecloth or a kitchen towel and set a container below to catch the liquid. Wrap the container in plastic after pouring the yogurt into it. Refrigerate it overnight, or until the volume has decreased to half. You may also season it with herbs and other spices to produce savory spreads or use it in other dishes.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a mild cheese manufactured from nonfat or skim milk that may be used in lieu of cream cheese. By adding some fresh cream, you can condense the crumbly structure. 1 cup cottage cheese equals 1 cup cream cheese.

Remember to drain the curds for 5 minutes before putting them through the food processor. This results in a soft cheese that is ideal for cheesecake recipes.

Tofu

Tofu spreads are an excellent dairy-free, vegan cream cheese replacement. They are lactose and dairy or animal-based product-free and range in fat content from low-fat to full-fat.

They are quite similar to cream cheese in terms of consistency and taste.

Looking For More Ideas?

Here are some additional options:

• Boursin Cheddar
• Cream cheese made from soy
• Buttermilk Cheddar
• Curd Hung
• The sour cream
• Kefir