Best mascarpone recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I use mascarpone for? ›

Mascarpone can be used in savoury and sweet dishes. It is good for stirring through savoury sauces to thicken and add a distinct rich flavour. Serve it with fresh fruit, use it in cheesecakes, as a cake filling, or as a topping for desserts.

No, mascarpone cheese is not healthier than cream cheese as it contains 25% more fat than cream cheese. Yet mascarpone cheese is only preferred for its extra smooth texture. You can use cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for salty and sweet dishes.

Mascarpone is made from heavy cream, while cream cheese is made from whole milk. This gives mascarpone its high fat content and richer, creamier texture. The fat content of cream cheese is 30 to 40 percent, compared to mascarpone's whopping 60 to 75 percent fat content.

Mascarpone cheese isn't very good to eat by itself (imagine eating a spoonful of butter), but it is perfect to use as an ingredient for savory and dessert recipes alike. Next time you want to try out a recipe calling for mascarpone cheese, give this recipe a try!

Check the "use by" date on the package for storage time, but it's generally a week. Mascarpone tends to go bad quickly, so use an open container within a few days; return any unused portion to the fridge with the lid tightly sealed. If it develops mold or if its aroma or color is off, discard the entire package.

And if you're still looking for ideas on how to use mascarpone, there's always the option of smearing it on crackers or seedy toast. Maybe add a dollop of jam, maybe not—this tangy cheese can shine all on its own.

Mascarpone cheese is also a good source of magnesium which is an important mineral for our bodies, and it's been linked to a variety of health benefits, including improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and better blood sugar control.

Mascarpone cheese seems to be more of a cooking ingredient than something consumed raw, even if it can easily act as any other spreadable cheese. If you're a home cook, on the other hand? Mascarpone can be an indispensable ingredient in your kitchen, used for appetizers, main dishes, and desserts with equal success.

Mascarpone is high caloric content cheese composing about 435 Kcal/100 grams. It also composes 44.5 g of fat content, out of which, 21.04 g of saturated fats. Dieticians often do not recommend it for those on a low-calorie diet where it can be worthily replaced by artisan ricotta and low-fat cream cheese.

Add the heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, and sugar to a small cup and stir gently to begin softening the cheese. Then use a frother or whisk to whip until thick and smooth. Using the L'OR BARISTA System, brew 8oz of L'OR Le Tigre Dark Roast Coffee over ice.

Does mascarpone taste like brie? ›

What Is the Difference Between Mascarpone and Cream Cheese? While similar in look and application, American-style cream cheese is both firmer and brighter tasting than its Italian counterpart. Mascarpone has a looser, velvety texture, and rich mouthfeel similar to a double-crème brie.

Mascarpone cheese is often compared to cream cheese, ricotta cheese, crème fraiche, and clotted cream; however, mascarpone is a sweeter and less tangy product than its peers. Mascarpone is slightly sweet with a hint of acidity. Its rich, creamy texture makes it an indulgent addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

We know that mascarpone cheese can transform sweet things like sorbet, carrot cake, lemon pie, cupcakes, and fruit blintzes. But what about creamy pasta, risotto, soups, and roasted vegetables? Turns out mascarpone can work wonders with savory recipes, too.

Different Ways to Use It

Although using mascarpone is widely associated with desserts, like Lemon Mascarpone Cake and classic Tiramisu, it's also wonderful used in savory recipes such as Smoked Salmon and Mascarpone, Pancetta and Mascarpone Anelli and Braised Beef and Mascarpone Polenta.

In addition, you can freeze mascarpone in smaller portions if you do not want to use it immediately. It may change texture slightly when thawed, but you can still use it to make desserts and sauces.

What Does Mascarpone Taste Like? Mascarpone cheese has a mildly sweet, almost nutty flavor with a fresh buttery character. Mascarpone is less tangy than comparable cheeses like ricotta and American cream cheese.

Substituting Mascarpone For Cream Cheese

Try mascarpone, which some people describe as "Italian cream cheese." Although that's not completely accurate, they do perform similarly in recipes. Mascarpone is richer and creamier than cream cheese, but works well in recipes like cake frosting.

While it softens and becomes more spreadable when heated, it retains its creamy consistency rather than melting into a liquid. This makes it an excellent ingredient for creamy sauces, cheesecakes, and other desserts.