9 Great Alternatives to Cream Cheese (and 1 Recipe) When You're Out of the Real Thing

Cream cheese is an essential ingredient in so many dishes. Without it, we’d miss out on beloved casseroles, dips, desserts, and snacks. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy-to-find substitutes or ways to make your own if you're running low or can't locate it at the store. Don’t worry—there are solutions! Keep reading for the top alternatives and how to whip up homemade cream cheese.

Cream Cheese Alternatives:

1. Sour Cream

Sour cream offers a similar flavor to cream cheese but with fewer calories, making it a great choice for those seeking a lighter option. It adds a light and moist texture to baked goods and enhances the creaminess of dishes like cheesecake. Simply swap cream cheese with an equal amount of sour cream in your recipes.

2. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt has the same tangy flavor as cream cheese and is packed with beneficial nutrients like protein, calcium, and Vitamin B12. You can adjust the richness of your dish depending on the type of Greek yogurt you use—full-fat or 10-percent-fat varieties will yield a creamier texture than the nonfat version. Substitute it in a 1:1 ratio for cream cheese.

3. Neufchâtel

In terms of flavor, Neufchâtel is the closest alternative to cream cheese. This soft, slightly crumbly cheese hails from Normandy, France, but is also produced in the U.S.

While traditional Neufchâtel is made with cream, the American version uses milk, resulting in a fat content that’s about one-third lower than that of cream cheese. Simply swap it in at a 1:1 ratio for cream cheese in your recipes.

4. Mascarpone

Mascarpone, a rich Italian cheese made from heavy cream and citric or tartaric acid, has a flavor and texture similar to cream cheese. Though it's slightly sweeter and contains about twice the fat, mascarpone is a perfect substitute. Use it in the same quantity as cream cheese.

5. Silken Tofu

If you need a vegan alternative to cream cheese, silken tofu is a great option that won't change the flavor of your dishes. It's a popular choice in plant-based recipes, particularly in dairy-free cheesecakes and creamy desserts like pumpkin pies.

6. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese has less fat than cream cheese but is chunkier in texture. To make it smoother for your recipes, you may want to blend it first. When using cottage cheese in baked goods or cooked dishes, adding a bit of heavy cream or half-and-half will help achieve the desired consistency.

7. Hummus

While hummus doesn't replicate the taste of cream cheese, its creamy texture makes it a solid substitute, especially for vegan or dairy-free options. Hummus is particularly effective as a replacement in savory dips and spreads.

8. Quark

Quark, a traditional German cheese made from buttermilk and heavy cream, has a creamy texture and a tangier flavor compared to cream cheese. It's a hybrid between cream cheese and yogurt. You can use quark in place of cream cheese using the same amount, though you might need to tweak your recipe to account for its more pronounced sourness.

Get the Recipe: Easy-Made German Quark

9. Cashew Cheese

Cashew cheese is a vegan-friendly, spreadable option made from cashews, water, nutritional yeast, and spices. You can find it in specialty stores or larger supermarkets with a diverse vegan section. Use it in a 1:1 ratio when replacing cream cheese in recipes.

10. Homemade Cream Cheese

If you have a few days to spare and don’t need cream cheese right away, you can easily make your own using yogurt and kosher salt. While Chef John prefers sheep's milk yogurt for this recipe, cow's milk yogurt will also work just fine.

Get the Recipe: How to Make Cream Cheese