Substitute For Cream Cheese In Pasta

Cream Cheese In Pasta

Making pasta is one of the most exciting things to do, but when you find a pasta recipe that calls for cream cheese and you don’t have it in your pantry you might be forced to make a completely different dish. This shouldn’t be the case as you can always find substitutes for cream cheese in pasta. Here are a few ingredients that you can use to substitute cream cheese in pasta. Most of the ingredients are things that you can easily stock up in your house just in case.

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Tofu cream

Cream cheese in pasta can be substituted with tofu cream and this is a good substitute since it has the smooth texture and tangy flavour that is found in cream cheese. In order to make the tofu cream combine tofu, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, sugar and salt. Tofu cream is gluten free, vegan friendly and dairy free therefore it can be regarded as a healthier substitute of cream cheese when making pasta.

Goat cheese

Goat cheese is an excellent substitute for cream cheese in pasta but it is a bit more expensive than cream cheese. Goat cheese has a tangy taste which resembles that of cream cheese and the texture of goat cheese is similar to that of cream cheese that is why it is regarded as the perfect substitute for cream cheese in pasta. When using goat cheese as a substitute for cream cheese in pasta it is important to use ¾ of a cup of goat cheese to replace 1 cup of cream cheese this is because it is denser and fattening as compared to cream cheese.

Mascarpone cheese

When you do not have cream cheese you can substitute it with mascarpone cheese when making pasta. Mascarpone cheese is also known as triple cream cheese and it has a flavour which is similar to cream cheese that is why it can be used as a substitute. It has a creamy texture which is almost similar to that of cream cheese but it is slightly less acidic as compared to cream cheese. Mascarpone cheese is high in calcium and protein but low in sodium which is a good thing. However, the downside of mascarpone cheese is that it is very high in fat so it possess as a threat to people with cardiovascular diseases. When substituting cream cheese with mascarpone cheese just use a ratio of 1:1 when making the pasta.

Ricotta cheese

Substitute cream cheese in pasta with ricotta cheese this is because it has a similar flavour to cream cheese although it lacks that tangy taste found in cream cheese. Ricotta cheese has a mild taste as compared to other types of cheese and also it has a milky after taste. It is high in calcium and protein but very low in sodium. Ricotta cheese is very high in fat and cholesterol so if you have heart problems it’s not recommended to consume ricotta cheese on a regular basis. It is important to know that since ricotta does not have that tangy taste found in cream cheese you can use it in combination with lemon juice so that you can give the pasta that tangy feel.

Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt is another substitute for cream cheese in pasta. It is actually treated as a healthier substitute for cream cheese since it is high in protein and also fat-free. Greek yoghurt is creamier and thicker as compared to other types of yoghurts so you can easily use it as a substitute. Before substituting cream cheese with Greek yoghurt it needs to first be strained and to do this you need to place the Greek yoghurt in a cheesecloth and place it inside a bowl with a strainer. Allow the whey to drip down into the bowl, this usually takes about 8 to 12 minutes. When the estimated time is over you will notice that the Greek yoghurt will have the texture of cream cheese. 1 cup of Greek yoghurt produces roughly ½ a cup of cream cheese.

Sour cream

If cream cheese is not available you can substitute it with sour cream when making pasta this is because it has a tangy taste to it which is similar to that of cream cheese. As the name suggests sour cream is sour in nature and it has a thick consistency to it so you can use it when making pasta. The downside of sour cream is that it is very high in saturated fat, therefore it has the potential to affect one’s health. When using sour cream to substitute cream cheese in frosting simply use a ratio of 1:1.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is also another substitute for cream cheese in pasta this is because the flavour of cottage cheese slightly mimics that of cream cheese. Cottage is a healthier alternative to cream cheese because it low in saturated fats but high in potassium, folic acid and calcium. It is important to know that cottage cheese has a high sodium content so you need to be careful of how you consume it. When using cottage cheese as a substitute in pasta it needs to be strained because it has a creamy wetness to it or you can simply puree it before adding it to the pasta.

Conclusion

Cream cheese is commonly used when making pasta but if you don’t have it at hand you can always opt to use substitutes. The above article has noted some of the most common substitutes of cream cheese in pasta. Some of the substitutes are healthier alternatives whilst others have a bit of fat and sodium thus, it is important to choose a substitute that complements your health. The most widely recommended substitute of cream cheese in pasta is goat cheese however it is quite expensive as compared to cream cheese. Tofu cream is also a substitute of cream cheese and it is a healthier alternative as it is vegan friendly, gluten friendly and dairy free. The other substitutes highlighted include mascarpone cheese, ricotta cheese, Greek yoghurt, sour cream and cottage cheese.

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