6 Great Cottage Cheese Substitutes

Strict Lacto-ovo vegetarians can enjoy cottage cheese because it contains no rennet. It’s an acid curd cheese, meaning the curds form by the natural tendency of warmed milk to curdle on its own. It has a mild taste, thanks to having no added salts, sugars, or flavors.

If you don’t have cottage cheese on hand, you can make it by heating pasteurized cow’s milk and adding a few drops of an acidic liquid: lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar. Allow it to sit until it curdles. As the milk finishes forming little lumps, you can drain it to obtain the little clumps of cheese. The cheese should be soft, white, and with a creamy texture.

Other substitutes can also be used.

Cottage Cheese Substitute

1. Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese substitute is a fresh Italian cheese that is pleasantly granular and lightly sweet. In Italy, most ricottas are made by cooking the whey drained from producing mozzarella, provolone, or other cheeses. Skim or whole milk is added in the U.S. to the whey.

Ricotta is filled with protein yet low in fat, so it is a good cheese for those seeking a healthy diet. Boiling the whey breaks down the proteins and makes them digestible for those with milk intolerance and allergies.

1 cup of ricotta cheese is equal to 1 cup of Cottage cheese

2. Fromage Blanc

This soft, fresh cream cheese is delightful when sweetened and served with fresh fruit. The French dessert Coeur à la crème it’s folded with meringue and chilled in a heart-shaped mold.

Fromage Blanc is a French dessert cheese about as thick as sour cream. It is in both fat-free and fat varieties. 

It is used to make quiche, smoothies, parfaits, dips, and salad dressing, but it is probably most known as a base for souffles, mousse, and yummy cheesecakes.

= 1 cup of Fromage Blanc is equal to 1 cup of Cottage cheese

3. Pot Cheese

Pot cheese is a slightly drier version of cottage cheese. Pot cheese is a type of American cottage cheese. It is made by boiling milk and then adding an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to curdle the milk. The curds are then strained and rinsed before being mixed with salt, pepper, and other herbs or spices. Pot cheese has a crumbly texture and a mild flavor. It can be used in recipes as a substitute for ricotta cheese or as a spread on crackers or bread.

= 1 cup of Pot cheese is equal to 1 cup of Cottage cheese

4. Chenna Cheese

Chenna is an Indian fresh cheese produced from cow’s or water buffalo’s milk. Similar to panir but softer and moister because it is not pressed.

Chenna cheese is a type of fresh cheese that originated in India. It is made by curdling milk with an acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, and then draining off the whey. Chenna cheese has a soft, crumbly texture and a mild, slightly acidic flavor. It is often used in Indian cooking, as well as in desserts such as rasmalai and gulab jamun. Chenna cheese can be made from cow’s milk, buffalo milk, or goat’s milk.

Chenna cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in savory or sweet dishes. Try it in an omelet or quiche, or use it to make a creamy cheesecake. Chenna cheese is also a good choice for making homemade paneer, as it has a lower fat content than other types of cheese. If you can’t find chenna cheese at your local grocery store, you can easily make it at home with just a few simple ingredients.

1 cup of Chenna is equal to 1 cup of Cottage cheese

5. Panir Cheese

Also known as paneer, it is an Indian fresh pressed cheese produced from cow’s or water buffalo’s milk, and it is squeezed to remove excess moisture. Often served diced and sautéed, it also appears in many vegetarian dishes.

Panir cheese is a type of Indian cheese that is made from milk and rennet. It has a firm texture and a mildly salty taste. Panir cheese is used in many Indian dishes, such as curries and sautéed vegetables. It can also be eaten on its own as a snack or appetizer.

Panir cheese is a good source of protein and calcium. It is also low in fat and calories. Panir cheese is a healthy choice for people who are looking for an alternative to cow’s milk products.

If you are interested in trying panir cheese, you can find it at most Indian grocery stores. You can also purchase it online from specialty food retailers. Give panir cheese a try in your next Indian-inspired dish! You might just be surprised by how delicious it is.

1 cup panir, briefly puréed in a food processor, is equal to 1 cup of Cottage cheese

6. Mascarpone

Mascarpone is a luscious Italian fresh, soft cow’s milk cheese with only slightly less fat than butter. It replaces fresh goat cheese; it has a smoother texture and more uncomplicated flavor. The finest Mascarpone is said to come from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna.

Mascarpone is a very popular Italian cream cheese. It has a rich and creamy texture, and it’s often used in desserts. Mascarpone is made from milk, cream, and rennet. The traditional way to make mascarpone is to let the milk sit out overnight so that the cream can rise to the top. Then, the cream is skimmed off and the milk is heated until it reaches a temperature of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, the rennet is added and the mixture is left to cool. Once it’s cooled, the mascarpone is ready to be used in any number of recipes.

Mascarpone can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s often used as a filling for cakes and pastries, or as a topping for fruit. It can also be used in savory dishes like pasta sauce or risotto. Mascarpone is a very versatile ingredient, and it’s one of the reasons why it’s so popular.

= 1-ounce cream cheese or Mascarpone* is equal to 1-ounce Cottage cheese

FAQ

Is there a cheese to replace cottage cheese?

Several cheese substitutes can be used if you don’t have cottage cheese. Most can be used in a one-to-one measure.
 
· Ricotta Cheese
· Fromage Blanc Cheese
· Pot Cheese
· Chenna Cheese
· Panir Cheese
· Mascarpone

Can cottage cheese be used in vegetarian dishes?

Strict Lacto-ovo vegetarians can enjoy cottage cheese because it contains no rennet. It is an acid curd cheese, meaning the curds form by the natural tendency of warmed milk to curdle on its own. Note that those with lactose intolerance should still avoid cottage cheese.

Does cottage cheese have a shelf life?

Yes, because cottage cheese does not undergo an aging or ripening process. Cottage cheese containers will have expiration dates and should be used within the time stated.

About Rachelle

Hi, I'm Rachel! I love cooking and finding new recipes but was always missing one of the ingredients in my kitchen. I created Can I Substitute? for people like me who are one substitute away from a great meal. If you're looking for great ingredient substitutes you've come to the right place. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.