By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen

Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network.

You may know mascarpone as a key ingredient in the Italian dessert tiramisu or rely on it to add an extra creamy hit to dishes like scrambled eggs or mashed potatoes. But what exactly is it? For more info, Food Network Kitchens consulted Telia Colella, co-founder of Nerea, an Italian restaurant in New York City.

What Is Mascarpone?

Mascarpone is a fresh, soft cow’s milk cheese with a lightly sweet, rich flavor that is originally from Northern Italy.

Mascarpone contains 70 to 75% milk fat, giving it a smooth, creamy texture and pale ivory color. Unlike other cheeses, mascarpone is made by coagulating cream (rather than milk) with acid and heating it. “While this particular processing method means that mascarpone isn’t widely considered a 'cheese,' it is technically a cheese under Italian law and regulation,” Colella says.

Mascarpone is a key ingredient in the classic Italian dessert tiramisu, but its delicate flavor and rich, creamy texture lends itself to savory recipes, too. “In Italian cuisine, mascarpone can be used to prepare sauces and dressings for appetizers, such as a three-cheese savory pie or dishes made with vegetables or fish,” Colella says. Mascarpone can also be eaten with fresh fruit or spread on bread.

Mascarpone vs. Cream Cheese

Although mascarpone is sometimes referred to as Italian cream cheese, they are very different. “The main difference between cream cheese and mascarpone is that cream cheese contains approximately 33% milk fat and 55% moisture, while mascarpone is made entirely of full-fat cream,” Colella says. As a result, mascarpone has a richer, creamier texture while cream cheese tends to be firmer and denser. In addition, mascarpone and cream cheese differ in taste: mascarpone has a slightly sweet flavor while cream cheese is tangier.

Mascarpone vs. Mascarpone Cream

“Mascarpone is the raw material, which is a fresh, soft cheese,” Colella explains. “Mascarpone cream refers to the mixture of egg yolks, sugar and mascarpone. Raw mascarpone has a tackier consistency, while mascarpone cream is lighter and frothier.” Mascarpone cream can be used in desserts, such as a cannoli filling.

Mascarpone Pronunciation

The phonetic pronunciation of mascarpone is “mas-car-POH-nay.”

What Does Mascarpone Taste Like?

Colella describes mascarpone as tasting delicately sweet and buttery with a slightly acidic aftertaste. Mascarpone has a similar flavor profile to fresh heavy cream.

Substitutes for Mascarpone

Mascarpone has a specific taste, texture and fat content, so Colella doesn’t recommend many direct swaps. But some substitutes for mascarpone include Greek yogurt, creme fraiche and high-quality, fine-curd ricotta. “Ricotta is an ideal substitute for mascarpone especially in desserts—particularly tiramisu—due to its great, creamy quality,” she says.

You can substitute cream cheese for mascarpone in some cases, but keep in mind that the texture won’t be as rich or smooth and that the cream cheese will impart a tangier flavor profile.

Recipes With Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone Mini Cupcakes with Strawberry Glaze

Everyone loves a cupcake, and these mini versions with a strawberry glaze will be no exception. Made with mascarpone cheese, expect a fluffy, light texture... making them dangerously easy to gobble up in one bite.

Mascarpone Cheesecake with Almond Crust

A combination of cream cheese and mascarpone makes for a cheesecake that’s fluffier and lighter than usual. Plus, paired with the almond-digestive biscuit crust, this dessert will melt in your mouth.

Spring Asparagus Tart

Mascarpone’s versatility knows no seasonal bounds. Here, it’s mixed with flour and eggs and punched up with lemon zest, chives and tarragon to anchor a spring-ready puff pastry tart lined with asparagus spears.

Wild Mushroom Risotto

This recipe proves mascarpone’s versatility and ability to play well in savoury recipes. Mascarpone lends a rich, velvety consistency to this simple mushroom risotto, and the extra dollop for garnishing adds an extra creamy hit.

After Eight Tiramisu

With a crunch of chocolate coated mint against a soft and cheesy espresso-dipped sponge, this After-Eight tiramisu might just be the perfect plate of festive indulgence.

Rack of lamb with Honey and Mascarpone

This crispy rack of lamb is seasoned with herbs and elevated with a sweet and creamy mascarpone sauce to drizzle on top. Dinner is served.