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• My Mascarpone Cheese Recipe Is The Creamiest Ever
• How To Make Mascarpone
• My Recipe Tips
• Need A Faster Mascarpone Substitute?
• How To Make Mascarpone Cheese Recipe card
• My Favorite Mascarpone Recipes
• Recipe Reviews

My Mascarpone Cheese Recipe Is The Creamiest Ever

If you’ve ever needed mascarpone cheese for a recipe and didn’t have any, I’ve been there — and that’s exactly why I started making it myself. But the surprise reason I kept making this rich, creamy cheese is that it’s even more delicious homemade. Here’s why I love it:

• Ultra creamy, smooth, and buttery – Mascarpone is a little similar to cream cheese and other soft cheeses, but tastes more rich and creamy. It’s not tangy like cream cheese, though, and a lot smoother than ricotta or farmer’s cheese . This one spreads like a dream and melts beautifully into recipes.
• Just 2 basic ingredients – All you need is heavy cream and lemon juice!
• Versatile – I’ve used this homemade version for so many mascarpone recipes, both sweet and savory, but I also love it simply as a spread. My personal fave is a bit unexpected: low carb bagels with this spread, and either lox or strawberry jam on top. I’ve got more ideas below!

Whether you’re new to this type of cheese or just want something more affordable than buying it, make this recipe with me and see how easy it is to whip up at home!

How To Make Mascarpone

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe for my homemade mascarpone cheese substitute. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Simmer the cream. Pour heavy cream into a saucepan and heat it gently until it starts to simmer. Make sure it doesn’t boil!
2. Stir in the lemon juice. Let it simmer a little longer, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken a little.

1. Let it cool. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
2. Strain and chill. Pour the mixture into a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or nut milk bag ( I use this one ) over a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The mascarpone cheese will form on top. Once set, you can transfer to an airtight container for storage. The liquid left in the bowl is whey, and I usually discard it, but you can also blend it into smoothies.

My Recipe Tips

• Watch the temperature closely when simmering — it must stay between 180-190 degrees F. I used an instant-read thermometer to quickly check it as I went, but a clip-on candy thermometer would make it even easier if you want to monitor it hands-free.
• Strain well for a smooth result. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with a nut milk bag or cheesecloth. I like using a nut milk bag best — it’s super fine, so there’s no chance of the holes being a little too big and letting bits through.
• Mascarpone cheese gets firmer in the fridge and creamier at room temperature. You can let it sit out for 10 minutes to soften if you like, but I don’t usually find this necessary, as it’s quite creamy right out of the fridge.
• I don’t recommend melting it, unless it’s part of a recipe. Unlike cream cheese, mascarpone melts into a mixture that reminds me of creamier melted butter. Probably not what you’re going for. If I’m topping something warm, like toast or a warm dish, I let it cool for a few minutes before adding the mascarpone.

Need A Faster Mascarpone Substitute?

There’s nothing quite like mascarpone to me, but if you don’t have time to make this recipe, you’ve got options:

• My go-to mascarpone alternative is cream cheese , because it has the closest consistency. It’s tangy, firmer, and lower in fat, though, so I beat 8 ounces (softened) with 1/4 cup of heavy cream to get it closer.
• If consistency doesn’t matter in your recipe, or you’re just using it as a topping, you can usually substitute sour cream , creme fraiche , whole milk Greek yogurt , or blended ricotta .

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 2 cups Heavy cream ▢
• 1 1/2 tbsp Lemon juice ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a medium saucepan , bring the heavy cream to a simmer over medium to medium-low heat. Heat the cream slowly to prevent it from boiling and scorching.
2. After the cream starts simmering, add the lemon juice and simmer for 5 minutes more , until it begins to thicken. Stir occasionally with a silicone spatula . Maintain a temperature of 180-190 degrees F (82-88 degrees C) while simmering.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow to cool for 45-60 minutes , until room temperature.
4. Place a fine mesh sieve lined with a nut milk bag or cheesecloth over a bowl and pour the mixture into the lined sieve. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
5. Remove the mascarpone cheese from the lined sieve and discard any liquid in the bowl.
6. Store the mascarpone cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the perfect texture.
• Ways to use it: Need ideas for what to make with your mascarpone cheese? I’ve got you — check out some of my favorite ways to use it here !
• Storage: Keep homemade mascarpone covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 6 weeks — just wrap it well, thaw overnight in the fridge, and give it a stir. I like using thawed mascarpone in cooked dishes, since the texture can change a bit if it’s the main star.
• Other mascarpone substitutes: If you need something quicker in a pinch, I have a few mascarpone alternatives I’ve used above.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Mascarpone Cheese

My Favorite Mascarpone Recipes

If you’re looking for delicious ways to use your homemade mascarpone cheese, here are some of my favorite recipes to get you started:

• Bread – My favorite way to eat mascarpone cheese is to spread it on a low carb bagel or toasted protein bread , and top it with either sugar-free jam , lox, or salmon roe . It’s also amazing on sweet breads like my healthy banana bread . I’ve even made bread itself with it — see my cloud bread recipe .
• Cheesecake – You can swap mascarpone for cream cheese in my low carb cheesecake for a slightly sweeter, creamier twist. Or replace about 1/4 of the Greek yogurt in my healthy cheesecake — it gives it a richer texture without overpowering the flavor.
• Topping – Whip it up into frosting or fold it into whipped cream for an ultra-luxurious topping.
• Other Desserts – Mascarpone is classic in tiramisu , but I’ve also used it in place of ricotta for my easy no-bake dessert .
• Fruit – Sometimes I just let it soften and dip strawberries in it, like my photo at the top of this page. Feel free to use other fresh fruit too, as long as it’s firm enough to scoop.
• Savory Dishes – Stir it into noodles (I like zoodles ) or creamed spinach , or add a dollop over my chicken fritters , zucchini fritters , or even eggplant lasagna .
• Appetizers – I love it in stuffed mini peppers or as a base for a cheese ball . It’s also delicious piped into stuffed dates .
• Breakfast – Fold it into an omelette or my buckwheat crepes .

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

How To Make Mascarpone Cheese

Learn how to make mascarpone cheese at home, with just 2 common ingredients! It’s rich, creamy, and delicious in so many recipes.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/mascarpone-cheese/

Ingredients

• 2 cups Heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tbsp Lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan , bring the heavy cream to a simmer over medium to medium-low heat. Heat the cream slowly to prevent it from boiling and scorching.
2. After the cream starts simmering, add the lemon juice and simmer for 5 minutes more , until it begins to thicken. Stir occasionally with a silicone spatula . Maintain a temperature of 180-190 degrees F (82-88 degrees C) while simmering.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow to cool for 45-60 minutes , until room temperature.
4. Place a fine mesh sieve lined with a nut milk bag or cheesecloth over a bowl and pour the mixture into the lined sieve. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
5. Remove the mascarpone cheese from the lined sieve and discard any liquid in the bowl.
6. Store the mascarpone cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the perfect texture.
• Ways to use it: Need ideas for what to make with your mascarpone cheese? I’ve got you — check out some of my favorite ways to use it here !
• Storage: Keep homemade mascarpone covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 6 weeks — just wrap it well, thaw overnight in the fridge, and give it a stir. I like using thawed mascarpone in cooked dishes, since the texture can change a bit if it’s the main star.
• Other mascarpone substitutes: If you need something quicker in a pinch, I have a few mascarpone alternatives I’ve used above.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)