Name: Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 2 cups raw slivered almonds; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional); 3/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4-1 1/2 cups water

Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe that genuinely tastes like the comfort-food classic, but without any dairy—what's not to love? Creamy, fluffy, and super simple to whip up, this homemade version brings that cozy richness to your dishes, whether you’re making lasagna, stuffing shells, or just spreading it on toast.

A white bowl filled with a thick, creamy white spread swirled in a circle, with a drizzle of yellow oil on top creating a spiral pattern. On one side of the bowl, there are fresh green basil leaves gathered together. Around the bowl, there are almond slivers scattered on the top right, a squeezed lemon half on the top left, and some fresh basil leaves on the bottom left, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe

Trust me, this Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe isn’t just about replacing dairy—it’s about creating something deliciously satisfying that you’ll actually want to eat straight from the bowl. Making it yourself means freshness, control over seasoning, and no mystery ingredients.

Simple Ingredients: Only a handful, mostly pantry staples you already have or can grab easily.
Quick Prep: Just 10 minutes from soaked almonds to creamy ricotta—perfect for last-minute meals.
Versatile: Use it in everything from classic Italian dishes to pizza topping or even a savory spread.
Customizable: Add herbs like basil or oregano to suit your taste and make it your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a key role in texture, flavor, or preserving that fresh ricotta vibe. Knowing why they’re important really helps when you want to tweak or troubleshoot.

Flat lay of raw slivered almonds scattered artfully next to a few whole uncracked brown almonds, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl holding pale off-white garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse sea salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of clear fresh water, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly symmetrically arranged on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Raw slivered almonds: They soak quickly and blend into a creamy base that mimics ricotta’s texture perfectly.
Fresh lemon juice: Adds tangy brightness that cuts through the richness and keeps it tasting fresh.
Garlic powder (optional): Provides a subtle savory depth—skip it if you prefer plain ricotta or add fresh garlic for a punchier kick.
Salt: Brings all the flavors together and enhances that cheesy note.
Water: Controls the consistency—you’ll blend starting with less, then add more until it’s silky and fluffy just right.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing with fresh herbs like basil or oregano stirred right into this Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe—it’s like magic how it changes the vibe! And don’t hesitate to tweak the seasoning to suit your family’s tastes.

Herb Boost: One of my favorite tweaks is adding fresh basil leaves or dried Italian herbs for a savory twist that’s perfect for pasta dishes.
Spicy Kick: Sometimes I sprinkle in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to give it a little heat, especially when using it on pizza.
Garlic Variety: When I’m feeling bold, I use freshly grated garlic instead of powder for a sharper garlic flavor that really shines.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe

A close-up shot shows a woman's hand holding a small, round cracker with a rough texture and brown color with dark specks. A thick layer of white creamy spread is generously covering half of the cracker, showing a fluffy texture. The background is blurred but shows a white bowl filled with more of the creamy spread, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Soak Those Almonds

First, I quickly soak the almonds by pouring boiling water over them and letting them sit for about 5 minutes. This softens them just enough to blend smoothly without waiting all day—and it cuts down any bitterness, giving you that creamy, mild ricotta texture.

Step 2: Blend Till Silky Smooth

Drain the soaked almonds, then toss them into your blender along with fresh lemon juice, garlic powder (if using), salt, and ¾ cup water. Blend until super creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If it’s too thick, add a bit more water until you get a fluffy, dollopable texture.

Step 3: Add Fresh Herbs (Optional)

For extra flavor, stir in fresh basil or sprinkle dried oregano and basil. I usually add a teaspoon of each—a little boost that transforms this ricotta into something you’ll want to eat straight up, no shame!

Step 4: Use or Store

Now it’s ready to toss into your favorite dishes or store in the fridge to enjoy later. It’s perfect dolloped on pizza or layered in lasagna for that luscious, cheesy flair without the dairy.

Top Tip

After making this Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe several times, I found a few key tips make all the difference in texture and flavor to really nail that creamy mouthfeel.

Quick Soak Magic: Don’t skip soaking the almonds—it softens them so the blender can whip them into that perfect fluffy texture.
Blend in Stages: Start with less water and add more gradually. This helps you control consistency and prevents watery ricotta.
Scrape Often: Scraping down the blender jar between pulses makes sure everything gets evenly blended and silky smooth.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Always use fresh lemon juice—not bottled—to get that bright, vibrant tang that mimics the sharpness of dairy ricotta.

How to Serve Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe

Garnishes

I often finish this ricotta with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for simplicity’s sake. A few torn basil leaves or a light dusting of smoked paprika adds a lovely touch when serving it as a dip or spread.

Side Dishes

This ricotta is fantastic alongside roasted vegetables or stuffed into roasted bell peppers. I also love pairing it with my favorite gluten-free pasta or spreading it on crusty bread with a side salad for a quick lunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like serving this vegan ricotta piped into small filo pastry cups, sprinkled with pine nuts and fresh herbs—such a crowd-pleaser and super easy to prepare ahead! It also makes a lovely homemade gift when jarred with a pretty ribbon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 5 days and sometimes I find the flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even better the next day.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this ricotta a couple of times without issues. Just portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and thaw overnight in the fridge. The texture can firm up a bit, so give it a quick stir or blend to refresh it before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm it gently in a pan over low heat, stirring frequently so it stays creamy—perfect if you’re layering it into a hot dish like lasagna or stuffed shells.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of almonds for this Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe?

Yes! While almonds give a creamy texture and mild flavor, you can experiment with cashews or macadamia nuts. Keep in mind that soaking times and water amounts might vary to achieve the best consistency.

Is the garlic powder necessary in this recipe?

No, garlic powder is optional and can be omitted if you prefer a more neutral flavor or want to adapt this ricotta for sweet uses like vegan desserts. Alternatively, fresh garlic can be added for a stronger taste.

How do I achieve the best texture for this vegan ricotta?

Soaking the almonds helps soften them for blending, and gradually adding water during blending lets you control the texture—from thick and spreadable to fluffy and dollopable. Using a high-powered blender is key for smoothness.

Can I use this Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe in traditional cheese recipes?

Absolutely! This ricotta is a great substitute in dishes like lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli, or even as a dip. It melts differently than dairy ricotta but offers a creamy, flavorful alternative for vegan versions.

Final Thoughts

Making this Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe at home has been a little game-changer for me—it’s so satisfying knowing exactly what’s in it, plus the flavor and texture really deliver. Whether you’re vegan or just experimenting, this ricotta is a keeper you’ll come back to again and again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!