Out of Cream Cheese? These 9 Unexpected Substitutes Will Save the Day

Many recipes call for cream cheese but you might be out. Or maybe you’re cooking a vegan recipe and don’t want to use dairy cheese. Don’t sweat it. These nine unexpected cream cheese substitutes will save the day.

Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone Italian cream cheese is almost identical to cream cheese. It has a higher fat content, which makes it a creamier option — best for sweet dishes like my Mini Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert.

Neufchâtel Cheese

Neufchatel, French Cheese made in Normandy from Cow's Milk — Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Neufchâtel cheese has a similar consistency and taste to cream cheese but contains higher fat and sodium content. American Neufchâtel comes in 8-ounce bricks like cream cheese. French Neufchâtel is soft but crumbly.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is made of curds and whey and has a mild flavor. It is lower in fat and has a chunkier texture. Also, to use it as a cream cheese substitute, you’ll need to blend it with yogurt or sour cream.

Ricotta cheese

Ricotta cheese has a milder flavor and chunkier texture than cream cheese. When using ricotta cheese for dips, add the same amount of ricotta and plain Greek yogurt or plain yogurt to equal what the recipe calls for in cream cheese and mix until smooth.

Sour Cream

When baking with sour cream as a substitute for cream cheese in a cake recipe, add an extra 2 tablespoons of flour to help make the cake firm.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is soft, spreadable cheese that is tangy and rich. In place of cream cheese, use three-quarters cup of goat cheese for every cup your recipe calls for. We love adding goat cheese to pizza sauce.

Hummus

Hummus is dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and vegan. It is made from chickpeas — also called garbanzo beans. So if you’re looking for this kind of substitute for cream cheese, hummus is a great candidate.

Silken Tofu

Hands shown cutting a tofu block into pieces with a knife. — Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Silken tofu is a great vegan option for cream cheese. It is creamier than regular tofu and has a similar consistency to cream cheese. And because it doesn’t include dairy, it is perfect for those following a vegan diet.

Plain Yogurt

Container of Good & Gather Plain Greek Nonfat Yogurt, 32 oz, features spoon graphic and highlights "0% Milkfat" and "18g of Protein per Serving. — Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

To use plain yogurt as a cream cheese substitute, you need time to make hung curd, also known as strained yogurt. Full-fat yogurt is best for this, with a similar flavor and texture to cream cheese.
Read the article: Easy Substitutes for Cream Cheese