Robiola cheese is a soft, creamy Italian cheese with a delicate, tangy flavor. Made from a blend of cow, sheep and goat's milk, robiola has a smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
This versatile cheese is wonderful enjoyed on its own, but also lends itself nicely to a variety of dishes like pastas, risottos, tarts, salads and more. However, robiola can be difficult to find depending on where you live.
If you can't get your hands on robiola, don't worry - there are several excellent substitutes that mimic robiola's taste and texture beautifully.
Understanding the Key Attributes of Robiola Cheese
When evaluating substitutes for robiola cheese, there are a few key attributes to consider if you want to mimic the original as closely as possible:
Flavor
Robiola has a mild, delicate, lightly sweet flavor with tangy or nutty notes. The specific flavors vary slightly depending on if it's made from cow, goat or sheep's milk. But in general, robiola is not an intensely flavored or pungent cheese. An ideal substitute will share its subtle, creamy flavor.
Texture
The texture of robiola ranges from soft and spreadable to semi-soft. It has a smooth, silky texture that practically melts in your mouth. When melted, robiola becomes extremely creamy. Substitutes should have a similar soft, spreadable consistency.
Fat Content
As a rich, luxurious cheese, robiola boasts a high fat content which contributes to its signature mouthfeel and flavor. Choose a replacement with a comparable fat content to replicate the desired richness and creaminess.
Acidity
While subtle in flavor, robiola can have noticeable tangy or acidic notes depending on variety and age. Alternatives that share this characteristic brightness can better imitate robiola's well-rounded flavor profile.
Common Cheeses Used as Robiola Substitutes
When robiola isn't available, here are some of the most popular alternatives that mimic the delicate flavor and smooth texture of this cheese:
Ricotta
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese that offers a similar creaminess to robiola, though it's even milder in flavor. Fresh, soft and spreadable, ricotta makes an adaptable substitute in dishes like lasagna, gnocchi, cheesecake and more. It provides texture without overpowering other ingredients.
Brie
Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese hailing from France. Its smooth, creamy texture and subtle buttery flavor echo robiola nicely. Delicate and versatile like robiola, brie can be served baked, grilled or at room temperature alongside bread, fruit and wine.
Cream Cheese
It may seem simple, but cream cheese proves to be a handy replacement thanks to its spreadable texture, neutral flavor and adaptability. Made from rich milk and cream, it brings velvety lushness without a strong taste that might compete with other ingredients. Use salted varieties for a closer match.
Mascarpone
An Italian cream cheese similar to robiola's native origins, mascarpone has a smooth, thick consistency and mild flavor. Made by curdling cream with acid like lemon or vinegar then straining the curds, mascarpone is perfect for imparting a rich creaminess in dishes like tiramisu.
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese (also called chèvre) offers the soft yet creamy texture of robiola, though with more tang. Ranging from spreadable to crumbly depending on age, the bright citrus flavor of goat cheese pairs beautifully with ingredients like herbs, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
Burrata
A relative of mozzarella, burrata contains stretched curd and cream, giving it an irresistibly lush texture. Mildly tangy with a hint of sweetness, burrata shares similarities to robiola. Its delicate flavor profile allows other ingredients to shine while contributing an indulgent mouthfeel.
While no substitute can fully replicate robiola, these alternatives come impressively close in smoothness, spreadability, and well-balanced flavor.
Key Takeaway: Great robiola substitutes like ricotta, brie, and chèvre mimic the creamy texture, subtle flavor, richness and acidity that characterize this beloved Italian cheese.
Unique Uses for Robiola Substitute Cheeses
Part of robiola's charm lies in its versatility. Happily, most substitutes share that adaptable quality. Here are some unique ways you can highlight ricotta, goat cheese, mascarpone and other replacements instead of robiola:
- Make ricotta the creamy base for dips, spreads and patés flavored with ingredients like artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers or olives
- Stuff brie into baked brie appetizers or phyllo dough appetizers to serve warm and oozing at parties
- Fill cream cheese wontons with fruit jam or chutney for an easy baked appetizer
- Pair fresh goat cheese with slices of roasted beet, fig jam and honey over arugula salad
- Make mascarpone the star in desserts like tiramisu, cheesecake, cream puffs, etc.
- Stuff burrata into squash blossoms and fry or bake for an elegant starter
- Top crostini with ricotta, prosciutto and figs for a perfect appetizer
With so many applications, robiola substitutes give you creative freedom to play with flavors. Their neutral palates let other ingredients shine while supplying lush, creamy textures.
Dietary Factors to Keep in Mind
If you are avoiding dairy or making other dietary choices, you can still find tasty robiola alternatives:
Dairy-Free
For a vegan robiola substitute, turn to dairy-free cream cheese, soy cheese or nut-based cheeses like almond cheese. These offer the richness and spreadability without animal products. You can also make cheese sauces and dips from blended nuts or vegetables.
Lower Fat
If seeking a lower fat substitute, part-skim versions of cheeses like ricotta or goat cheese offer similar texture with less fat per serving. Neufchâtel also has about one-third the calories of cream cheese. Pair with fresh ingredients like fruits or veggies to let flavors shine.
Lactose-Free
Many aged cheeses contain little to no lactose, making them easier to digest for the lactose intolerant. Options like aged cheddar and Parmesan offer lactose-free alternatives, though the tastes differ more from robiola. Still, they supply ample flavor for recipes.
No matter your dietary preferences, you can find a robiola substitute that lets you experience the spirit of this cheese without limiting your food enjoyment or nutrition.
Key Takeaway: Vegetarians, vegans, and people with lactose intolerance or other dietary needs can enjoy alternatives to robiola ranging from dairy-free cheese to lower fat cheeses that supply lush texture and delicate flavor without ingredients that might cause issues.
What to Look for When Buying Robiola Substitutes
Selecting an alternative cheese comes down to personal preference, but here are a few buying tips for finding the right robiola substitute:
- Seek out artisanal or imported cheeses for highest quality, though domestic cheeses work well too
- For fresh cheeses like ricotta or goat cheese, choose packages with recent sell-by dates
- Examine cheese for proper aging based on variety (soft ripeness vs. hard, crumbly, etc.)
- Evaluate flavor against what you plan to use it for (stronger cheeses may overwhelm delicate ingredients)
- Consider whether you want a pure, single milk cheese or a blend
- Factor in budget - some artisanal substitutions like burrata can be costly
- For maximum enjoyment, serve most soft cheeses slightly cooler than room temperature
Tasting different kinds of ricotta, chèvre, mascarpone and other alternatives allows you to find your perfect match for desired smoothness, creaminess and flavor.
FAQs
Is robiola similar to brie or camembert?
Yes, robiola is often compared to the soft, creamy textures and subtle flavors of cheeses like brie and camembert. All three have high fat contents, ripe rinds and smooth, spreadable interiors. Their mild, sweet flavors lend themselves well to recipes and pairings where more pungent cheeses might overwhelm.
Of course, robiola is distinctly Italian while camembert hails from France, so their individual taste profiles do still vary. But if you enjoy one, chances are you’ll appreciate the others!
What’s a good meatless substitute for non-vegetarians?
For those who eat dairy but want to avoid actual meat in a recipe calling for robiola, ingredients like mushrooms, eggplant or artichoke hearts make excellent substitutions. Their rich, umami flavors and hearty textures mimic properties people enjoy in non-vegetarian dishes, but satisfy vegetarian and vegan diets as well.
When swapping out meat for mushrooms, for instance, look for larger portobello caps to replicate a “meaty” feel. Marinate the mushrooms first in balsamic, red wine or steak sauce to infuse deep, savory flavor. Then simply sub in sliced mushroom caps or chunks in place of meats like beef, lamb or pork.
Can I use cream cheese if I don’t have any other substitutes available?
In a pinch, cream cheese can substitute for robiola thanks to its easy spreadability and richness. However, for best results use an unflavored cream cheese and add tangy, salty or sweet elements to mimic robiola’s flavor notes.
For instance, whip plain cream cheese with lemon zest and a pinch of salt to brighten it up. Or combine it with honey and chopped nuts for a dessert-like twist. Spiked with the right extra ingredients, cream cheese makes a fine last-minute replacement when no other substitutes are on hand.
Conclusion
Robiola cheese may have origins in northern Italy, but cheese lovers worldwide have embraced this creamy cheese and its subtle sweetness paired with tangy notes.
While robiola cheese availability is limited globally, you have fabulous substitute options ranging from ricotta, goat cheese and brie to burrata and beyond.