Vegan Herbed Ricotta Grilled Cheese Recipe
This Vegan Herbed Ricotta Grilled Cheese offers a deliciously creamy plant-based alternative to traditional grilled cheese sandwiches. Made with extra firm tofu blended into a herbed ricotta-style spread, this recipe pairs fresh heirloom tomatoes and fragrant herbs on toasted sourdough bread for a flavorful, satisfying meal that comes together in just 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vegan, American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Vegan Herbed Ricotta
- 1 14 oz block extra firm tofu, drained
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for grilling
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tbsp light miso paste
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped herbs (parsley, oregano, basil, and/or mint)
Sandwich
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 1-2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Tofu Ricotta: Wrap the drained tofu in a clean kitchen towel and firmly squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Place the tofu into the bowl of a food processor along with 1/4 cup olive oil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, miso paste, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and gently fold in the chopped fresh herbs evenly throughout.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread about 1/2 cup of the vegan ricotta mixture onto one slice of sourdough bread. Layer with sliced heirloom tomatoes and sprinkle additional fresh herbs if preferred. Spread a thin layer of ricotta on another slice of bread for adhesion and place it on top of the tomato-topped slice to form the sandwich.
- Cook the Grilled Cheese: Heat a skillet over medium heat and brush the bottom with a thin layer of olive oil. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook until the bottom is deeply golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich and cook the other side until also golden and crisp. Remove from heat and serve the grilled cheese warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu well is important to achieve a creamy ricotta texture free of excess water.
- You can customize the herb blend based on your preference or what you have on hand.
- Use a good-quality sourdough bread for a sturdy, flavorful sandwich base.
- Adjust the amount of olive oil used for grilling to your preferred crispiness and richness.
- Serve immediately after cooking for the best melt and freshness.