Rich, creamy cheese with a little bit of tangy flavor, spread across a crunchy cracker…my mouth is watering.
This is exactly what comes to mind when I think about robiola cheese. It is decadent and smooth while also being sour and tart.
Robiola cheese is one of my go-to cheeses to add to charcuterie boards. I have found that the best cheese boards have interesting, exciting cheese. Robiola definitely fits the bill!
I haven’t been able to find robiola cheese in my local grocery store but I have found some fantastic substitutes.
These robiola substitutes will help you get that exciting, diverse flavor you are looking for on your cheese board and in your favorite robiola recipes.
Brie cheese is the best substitute for robiola cheese. Brie is creamy and spreadable like robiola. It is also easier to find in the grocery store. Look for a taleggio brie cheese that has a sour, tart taste similar to robiola. Cream cheese is another simple robiola substitute. Cream cheese is sour and tangy like robiola. You can also try a dairy-free cream cheese like the Daiya brand to make your meal fit your dietary needs.
Robiola Cheese Substitutes
1. Cream Cheese – Best Delicious Substitute For Robiola Cheese
Cream cheese is a soft, white cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a very similar taste and texture to robiola cheese that make it a perfect substitute.
Cream cheese is also very easy to find, making it a convenient substitute for robiola cheese. Cream cheese is a little bit softer than robiola cheese.
It is perfect for replacing robiola as a cracker spread or adding it into a cheesy risotto recipe. You can replace robiola with the same amount of cream cheese.
One ounce of cream cheese has about 50 calories and 5 grams of fat. Look for light cream cheese which has even less calories and fats.
Cream cheese is not only a delicious, similar tasting robiola cheese substitute, but it is also a healthier option.
2. Brie Cheese
Brie cheese is a fantastic substitute for robiola cheese thanks to its soft, creamy texture. It is very similar in flavor and texture to robiola, just a little bit more mild.
Brie is saltier than robiola so skip any additional salt in your recipe when using brie cheese as a substitute.
Brie can replace robiola on a cheese board, in an omelet or melted into a pasta sauce. One ounce of brie has 96 calories, 8 grams of fat and about 6 grams of protein.
Not only are the flavors of robiola cheese and brie cheese similar, but they are nutritionally comparable as well.
3. Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola cheese is a very strong, semi soft cheese. It is much more pungent than robiola but has a similar sweet taste.
Gorgonzola is a more common cheese than robiola so you should be able to find it in your local grocery store.
Replace robiola cheese with half the quantity of gorgonzola cheese in any recipe. You will get the creamy, cheesy texture you are looking for and a high powered flavor.
Gorgonzola melts into a beautiful, creamy cheese thanks to all the fats. There are about 8 grams of fat in gorgonzola, making it very close to robiola nutritionally.
Gorgonzola has 100 calories and 6 grams of protein as well. Definitely eat this rich cheese in moderation! That shouldn’t be a problem, though, thanks to its super strong taste.
4. Chevre
Chevre cheese is a soft cheese made from goat’s milk. Robiola is also made from part goat milk so these two cheeses share a slightly sour, tangy flavor.
Chevre is smooth like robiola cheese but not quite as rich. Chevre is a great substitute for robiola on a cheese plate or inside a grilled cheese sandwich. It spreads easily and slices nicely.
One ounce of chevre has about 70 calories and only 6 grams of fat. With 5 grams of protein and 100 mg of sodium, chevre is very similar nutritionally to robiola. It is a great, easy substitute that will work well!
5. Grana Padano
Grana Padano cheese is a hard Italian cheese made from aged raw milk. It has a salty and nutty taste with a thick rind. While it may have a very different texture compared to robiola, it has the tangy taste you might be craving.
Grana padano can replace robiola on a cheese board, giving you beautiful, hard slices of tangy cheese.
A few slices of grana Padano and some guanciale will make a beautiful Italian cheese board!
Grana Padano does melt well so try using it as a robiola substitute in grilled cheese or grate a little over your favorite pasta. Italian cheeses and pasta dishes always pair well!
Grana padano cheese is a very hearty cheese. One ounce has 107 calories and about 7 grams of fats. While it may not be the healthiest substitute for robiola cheese, it is quite tasty.
6. Taleggio
Taleggio is a pungent, Italian cow’s milk cheese. It is aged in caves and becomes very tangy the older it gets.
Taleggio has a similar, semi soft texture as robiola. The rind on taleggio is much thicker than the thin, natural bloom of mold on robiola.
Use taleggio alternative one a cheese board slicing up the same amount of taleggio to replace robiola.
I suggest using about ¾ the quantity of taleggio cheese to replace robiola in cooking. You will need less since the flavor is stronger.
Taleggio has about 80 calories per ounce with around 7 grams of fat. It is just as creamy and rich as robiola!
7. Daiya Cream Cheese – Best Dairy Free Robiola Cheese Substitute
Cream cheese is a great robiola substitute so a dairy free cream cheese will work just as well! I love Daiya brand cream cheese which is smooth and tangy. It is very spreadable and soft, just like robiola.
Daiya cream cheese is made with no dairy, gluten, soy or peanuts. It is a great allergen free substitute for robiola.
It has about 60 calories and 5 grams of fat per ounce which means it is still nutritionally about the same.
Use the same quantity of Daiya cream cheese to replace robiola in any recipe. It will blend right into your favorite cheese sauce and spread easily onto crackers and fruits.
8. Miyokos Cheese Wheel
Miyokos bran cheese wheel is great for slicing and serving on a cheese board in place of robiola. It is semi soft and spreadable.
Miyokos cheese is made from cashews which means it has a subtle nutty taste. It isn’t quite as tangy as robiola but does come in a variety of flavors for you to choose from.
The sharp English flavor is the most sour but the herbed cheese wheel is delicious next to Italian meats like guanciale and prosciutto.
9. Sour Cream – Healthy Robiola Cheese Substitute
Robiola is known for its tangy, sour flavor. This same flavor can be found in a container of sour cream.
You can surely find our cream in any grocery store, making it a simple substitute for robiola cheese.
Sour cream is much softer than robiola cheese. It is best used to replace robiola in recipes like risotto or a pasta dish.
It would not be good to spread on a cracker or in a grilled cheese. Use sour cream in place of robiola when it will be mixed into a sauce or with other ingredients.
One ounce of sour cream has about 20 calories and only 1.5 grams of fat. It is low in sodium and carbs.
This makes it a perfect, healthy substitute for robiola cheese. You get the samy tangy flavor without the heaviness of robiola.
10. Ricotta
Ricotta is a great substitute for robiola thanks to its soft texture and sweet, tart flavor.
It may not be quite as creamy as robiola but it will work wonderfully in any cooked dishes.
Use the same quantity of ricotta to replace robiola cheese in any cooked dish or spread.
Whole milk ricotta will have the most rich flavor, making it the best option to replace robiola.
One ounce of ricotta cheese has 41 calories and 3 grams of fat. It still has 3 grams of protein making it a healthy alternative to robiola.
11. Pecorino
Pecorino cheese is another type of hard cheese that has a similar flavor to robiola cheese.
The texture is very different but the tangy taste is similar. Both perocino and robiola originated in Italy so this substitute will help you stick with an Italian themed meal.
Pecorino is made with aged sheep’s milk, just like robiola. This tart milk is why both cheese have similar flavors despite being made quite differently.
One ounce of pecorino has only 20 calories and 1 gram of fat. Use pecorino to substitute robiola when you’d like to slim down your meal.
What Is Robiola Cheese?
Robiola cheese is an Italian soft-ripened cheese that gets its name from the town of Robbio located in the province of Pavia.
The cheese is considered to be a type of Stracchino cheese. Stracchino cheese is a fresh, rindless cheese made from whole milk.
Robiola cheese is smooth, very tangy, and a little bit sour. It has a high fat content and is typically made and sold in small round rolls.
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Where To Buy Robiola Cheese
Robiola cheese can be tricky to find. That is why I started searching for robiola substitutes. I couldn’t find the real thing in any store near me!
Look for robiola in gourmet Italian grocery stores. The robiola cheese Whole foods carries is said to be very delicious. You can always order robiola cheese online through various online grocery stores.
Robiola cheese is so unique and delicious that I definitely recommend looking for it. However, if you can’t find robiola cheese (Whole foods does run out!), one of these substitutes will work great.
How To Use Robiola Cheese
Robiola cheese adds a creamy but tart flavor to any dish. It does melt when heated, making it a great cheese to mix into risotto or a grown up version of mac and cheese. This Robiola cheese risotto recipe from The Kitchn is simply amazing.
Robiola is very spreadable. It is perfect for spreading on crackers or toast. You can even blend robiola into a cheesy dip!
As I mentioned before, it is definitely one of my favorite cheeses to include on a charcuterie board.
Try using robiola cheese to make a fancy, upscale grilled cheese. Bruschetta with robiola cheese sounds fantastic as do homemade robiola cheese ravioli. The possibilities are endless!
Just keep that tart, sour flavor in mind as you mix your robiola cheese into your favorite pastas and omelets. It has a strong taste!
Robiola Cheese Nutritional Facts
Robiola cheese is a very high density food. This means there are a lot of calories packed into a small amount of cheese.
Robiola is high in fats but it does not contain any added sugars or saturated fats. It is considered to be a good source of protein thanks to all that milk!
Here is a quick look at the nutritional facts for one ounce of robiola cheese
| Calories | 94 |
| Protein | 1.8 grams |
| Fats | 9.2 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 1 gram |
Robiola Cheese Polenta Pie
This creamy, rich polenta pie is a perfect side dish to any Italian dinner. It is even tasty enough to be a main course. I love the tangy taste of robiola cheese in this recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ pound chopped shitake mushrooms
- ½ pound chopped baby portobello mushrooms
- 2 Tbsp sherry
- ¼ pound robiola cheese, sliced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Pour the chicken broth into a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the salt and then whisk in the cornmeal.
- Lower the heat to medium low and let the cornmeal mix simmer for about 15 minutes, whisking often. The cornmeal mix will become nice and thick.
- Pour the thick cornmeal into an oiled pie pan and spread into an even layer.
- In a separate skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic. Sauté for one minute.
- Add the mushrooms and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Then add the sherry and stir in the robiola cheese.
- Add a little salt and pepper
- Spread the cheesy mushrooms over the cornmeal pie and then bake in a 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes.
- Slice into wedges and serve.
Final Considerations
Robiola cheese has such a unique taste and irresistible texture. It is gaining in popularity so, hopefully, it will get easier to find in grocery stores! People are definitely discovering the great taste!
Until all stores are fully stocked with robiola cheese, use one of these robiola cheese substitutes. They all work well and will give you the tangy, sour taste you are looking for. Enjoy!
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.