Ricotta cheese is an unripened cheese that originated in Italy. It is known for its light, fluffy, spongy, and creamy consistency. Most fresh cheeses tend to be gluten-free, however, some cheese products may contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. If this is the case they are no longer an option in a gluten-free diet. So does ricotta cheese fit the bill?
Ricotta cheese is gluten-free. During cheese making, milk is separated into solids, called curds, as well as the liquid that is left behind, called whey. Most cheeses are made from the curds but ricotta is made from the curd left behind in the whey. The best alternatives to ricotta cheese include Galbani Mascarpone, Kite Hill Ricotta, and Daiya Cream Cheese.
In this article, we will discuss the nutritional value of ricotta cheese, as well as highlight other healthy and gluten-free-friendly ricotta alternatives. Let’s dig in!
Contents
What is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta cheese is an Italian whey cheese typically made from sheep, cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo milk. It is produced from the whey left over from the production of other cheeses. Ricotta curds are creamy white in appearance, and sweet in taste. The fat content of the cheese will change depending upon the milk that is used. It is somewhat similar to cottage cheese in texture, though it is considerably lighter in consistency. It is a highly perishable cheese.
But today, in the United States at least, ricotta is typically made from whole milk instead of whey. In this case, the process is the same as making any other cheese—you heat the milk, coagulate it in some way, and then strain the curds from the whey to form a soft, fresh, spreadable cheese product.
What is Gluten?
In short, gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. So any food that has wheat, rye, barley and triticale listed in the ingredients will have gluten.
Cheeses tend to confuse people when it comes to gluten. Most cheese does not have gluten, but it is very important to read labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. If you go to a deli counter to purchase cheese the cheese itself will be gluten-free.
Unless you have celiac disease or are diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity, gluten is not inherently bad for you. People with celiac disease will experience extreme symptoms from even just trace amounts of gluten, and people with a sensitivity, can have similar symptoms but just not as severe. It’s important to consult your doctor if you believe you have trouble tolerating gluten.
Popular Ricotta Cheeses
There are many different companies that use ciabatta as staples in their meals. Let’s take a look at a few along with their ingredients and nutritional values.
Galbani
Galbani is well-known for its ricotta cheeses. They offer a wide variety of options including a classic recipe, low fat, fat free, part skim, whole milk, and double cream.
This popular brand is sold in most grocery stores and big retailers such as Target and Walmart. It’s a staple in many recipes for lasagna, stuffed shells, and pizzas.
These are the ingredients found in Galbani’s Classic Ricotta Cheese:
- Milk
- Vinegar
- Salt
Here is some important nutritional information to note for Galbani’s Classic Ricotta Cheese (per 1/4 cup serving):
- Calories: 100
- Total fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total sugar: 2g
- Total carbs: 3g
- Protein: 6g
BelGioioso
BelGioioso is another popular brand known for its ricotta cheese. This product boasts that it is made with the highest quality of whole milk from Wisconsin cows. They suggest pairing it with pastas, soups, breads, honey, fresh berries, chocolate and nuts.
These are the ingredients found in BelGioioso ricotta cheese:
- Pasteurized whey and milk
- Vinegar
- Salt
Here is some important nutritional information to note for BelGioioso ricotta cheese (per 1/4 cup serving):
- Calories: 90
- Total fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 90mg
- Total sugar: 0g
- Total carbs: 2g
- Protein: 6g
Polly-O
Polly-O ricotta is made with simple ingredients to deliver a creamy, sweet profile that can be used for multiple purposes. They claim that their Original and Old Fashioned Ricottas are traditional and perfect to enrich the taste of both savory and sweet recipes. They say their New York Style is completely unique to the market. They boast that their Ricottone is hand-dipped and perfect as a cool topping or hot ingredient, and their Impastata is their densest option—perfect for pasta and pastry fillings. Almost all of their ricotta is still stirred by hand today.
These are the ingredients found in Polly-O’s original ricotta cheese:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Whey
- Milkfat
- Salt
- Vinegar
- Guar Gum
- Carrageenan
- Xanthan Gum
Here is some important nutritional information to note for Polly-O’s original ricotta cheese (per 1/4 cup serving):
- Calories: 110
- Total fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 65mg
- Total sugar: 2g
- Total carbs: 2g
- Protein: 7g
Healthier Alternatives to Ricotta Cheese
Though gluten-free is pretty standard for ricotta cheeses, vegan and dairy-free and lower fat options are quickly starting to emerge on the market. Here are a few of the best brands for healthier options for ricotta cheese, so you can still enjoy it in meals, with better nutritional value.
Kite Hill Ricotta
Made from creamy almond milk, Kite Hill’s ricotta cheese is a silky dairy-free ricotta alternative and is incredibly versatile. You can use it in savory recipes, such as lasagna, or in place of mascarpone in desserts.
These are the ingredients found in Kite Hill ricotta cheese:
- Almond Milk (Water, Almonds)
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Tartaric Acid
- Cultures
Here is some important nutritional information to note for Kite Hill’s ricotta cheese (per 1/4 cup serving):
- Calories: 140
- Total fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 230mg
- Total sugar: 1g
- Total carbs: 5g
- Protein: 5g
Tofutti Better Than Ricotta Cheese
Tofutti Better Than Ricotta Cheese is a dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan alternative to classic ricotta cheese. Primarily made from tofu this ricotta cheese still has the same light and fluffy consistency of a traditional ricotta cheese.
These are the ingredients found in Tofutti Better Than Ricotta Cheese:
- Water
- Expeller Blend of Natural Oils (Palm Fruit, Soybean and Olive)
- Tofu
- Soy Protein
- Maltodextrin
- Veg Lactic Acid
- Natural Blend of Gums (Locust bean, Guar, Cellulose, Xanthan And Carrageenan)
- Brown Rice
- Agar Agar
- Vinegar
- Organic Sugar
- Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides
- Sea Salt
Here is some important nutritional information to note for Tofutti Better Than Ricotta Cheese (per 1/4 cup serving):
- Calories: 90
- Total fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 220mg
- Total sugar: 0g
- Total carbs: 10g
- Protein: <1g
Galbani Mascarpone
Galbani Mascarpone is a fresh and soft triple-cream cheese. This Italian style cream is the perfect choice for both savory and sweet recipes. Galbani Mascarpone can also be used in many recipes where a creamy cheese is used or is simply delicious on its own as an alternative to cream with desserts.
These are the ingredients found in Galbani Mascarpone:
- Pasteurized Cream
- Milk
- Non Fat Milk Solid
- Citric Acid
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 2 tbsp serving):
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total carbs: 1g
- Total sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Daiya Cream Cheese
Daiya is one of the fastest growing vegan and dairy-free options on the market. Their cream cheese can be used as a ricotta cheese replacement in many recipes. It is mild, tangy, and velvety-smooth. Their plant-based cream cheese is best friend to bagels, soups, crêpes, pasta sauce, jalapeno poppers, frosting, and more. Free from dairy, soy, gluten, peanuts, and tree nuts (except coconut).
These are the ingredients found in Daiya Cream Cheese:
- Filtered Water
- Coconut Oil
- Tapioca Flour
- Coconut Cream
- Natural Flavors
- Salt
- Pea Protein
- Cane Sugar
- Xanthum Gum
- Enzyme
- Lactic Acid
- Guar Gum
- Tumeric (Color)
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 2tbsp serving):
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 115mg
- Total carbs: 3g
- Total sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Final Thoughts
Traditional ricotta cheese is gluten-free because it doesn’t contain any wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. It is free from these ingredients in the whey used to make it too. Ricotta is an Italian cheese that is used in many lasagnas, stuffed pastas, and pizzas. It can also be used in sweet recipes such as crepes and cannoli cream. There are plenty of vegan and dairy-free options to replace it with if you follow either of those diet types.
Related Questions
Are Ricotta Cheese And Cottage Cheese The Same?
Though ricotta cheese and cottage cheese can be used in many recipes interchangeable they are not the same. One of the most distinct differences is that ricotta is a soft cheese that has a fine, moist, grainy texture and cottage cheese is lumpier whether the curds are small or large.
Can You Eat Ricotta Cheese Raw?
Yes, even though ricotta cheese is found in many recipes where it is cooked, such as in lasagna or certain pastas, you can eat ricotta cheese raw.
Is Ricotta Cheese A Healthy Snack?
Packed with protein and other nutrients that are good for bone a muscle growth, ricotta cheese can make a great healthy on-the-go snack.