Is Ricotta vegan?
Not vegan
Ricotta is whey cheese from cow, sheep or buffalo milk. Not vegan.
What it is
A soft cheese made by reheating whey leftover from other cheese production.
Why not vegan
Dairy-based whey.
Where you'll find it
- Lasagna
- Stuffed shells
- Cannoli
- Italian desserts
Vegan alternatives
- Tofu ricotta (crumbled firm tofu + lemon + nutritional yeast + salt)
- Kite Hill almond ricotta
- Cashew ricotta
FAQ
- Is tofu ricotta convincing in lasagna?
- Yes — when seasoned with miso, lemon and basil it is hard to tell apart from dairy ricotta inside a baked dish.
Sources
Last reviewed June 4, 2026