What Can I Use as a Substitute for Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone cheese

mascarpone cheese

photo credit: hlphoto

Other Names:common misspelling: marscapone

What is Mascarpone cheese?

[mah-skar-POH-nay]

Mascarpone is a freshcheese from Italy which is made from cream coagulated with either citric or tartaric acid. Similar to cream cheese, this rich, creamy cheese can be used in desserts as well as savory dishes. Probably the most popular dish using mascarpone would Tiramisu. This dessert made with layers of ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone, and cocoa powder.

Most of the mascarpone you find in grocery stores in the U.S. are made here, although some imports can be found in specialty stores as well as online. This fresh cheese product does not keep for very long, so it is best to purchase it right before use.

Substitute For Mascarpone Cheese

If you're looking for a mascarpone substitute and you need an alternative, replace with one of these options:

Blend 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup whipping cream
OR - Blend 8 ounces softened full fat cream cheese with 1/4 cup softened butter and 1/4 cup cream
OR - Blend 8 ounces softened full-fat cream cheese with 1/4 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter **Recommended by Nigella to be used in making Tiramisu.
OR - Blend 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/8 cup whipping cream and 1/8 cup sour cream.
OR See Recipe Link for making your own substitute for mascarpone cheese.

Additionally, you can use any of these quick mascarpone cheese substitute recipes that actually heat milk or cream with an acidic buttermilk to make a good approximation of the real thing. If you want to really make the cheese, see the recipe link below.

Equivalents

1 cup = 16 tablespoons
1 tablespoon = 28 grams (28.3495)

Ingredients

Cream, citric or tartaric acid

Make Real Mascarpone - Not A Substitute

If you are up for the challenge (not a huge one) and you have a few cheesemaking supplies at home, try this making Mascarpone Cheese Recipe. Otherwise, see other replacements for mascarpone above.

Where To Buy Mascarpone Cheese?

Most well-stocked grocery stores sell at least one brand of mascarpone. Walmart stores stock the BelGioioso brand cheese, which you can purchase in-store or online. Most of the time, it is packed in a small plastic tub. Costco stores also stock mascarpone.

Is Cream Cheese and Mascarpone The Same?

The two kinds of cheese are similar in the sense they are both types of fresh cheese and are soft and spreadable. Mascarpone has a buttery texture and a slightly acidic flavor. You can see the substitutes above for how to doctor up cream cheese to make a mascarpone substitute.

Can I Replace Mascarpone With Ricotta?

While ricotta cheese is creamy, it has a dryer texture and lacks the tart, buttery feel of mascarpone. Ricotta is more suitable for your lasagna than your tiramisu, so this is not a good alternative to mascarpone.

Favorite Mascarpone cheese Recipes

Pasta With Rock Shrimp and Pea Tendrils
Pasta flavored with fennel, shallots, garlic, wine, peas, mascarpone cheese and tarragon.
Andouille Sausage and Potatoe Casserole with Swiss Cheese
Andouille Sausage and Potatoe Casserole with sausage, Swiss cheese, Yukon gold potatoes and mascarpone cheese. A rich side dish.
Mascarpone Flashed Spinach In Portobello Caps
Spinach is wilted and flavored with shallot, garlic, apricot, ginger, pine nuts. The mixture is folded with mascarpone cheese and placed in grilled portobello mushroom caps for the final presentation
Truffle Mac and Cheese
This creative take on Mac n Cheese uses Israeli couscous, truffle butter and truffle oil, cream, fontina and mascarpone cheese. This recipe was provided courtesy of Eli Kirshtein of SOLO NYC.
Lemon chiffon cake
This is a sophisticated Lemon Chiffon Cake recipe. Slices of chiffon cake are soaked with lemon syrup, then topped with lemon mascarpone mousse, white chocolate curls, passion fruit sauce. Serves 8

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What Can I Use as a Substitute for Mascarpone Cheese

Source: https://www.gourmetsleuth.com/ingredients/detail/mascarpone-cheese

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