Fat-Free Plain Yogurt

• If you're making a savory or sweet dip that calls for mascarpone cheese, you can use fat-free plain yogurt as a healthier substitute. For example, you can make a blue cheese and avocado dip by combining 2 cups of crumbled blue cheese, one small container of the fat-free yogurt, one peeled and minced avocado, 1/2 cup of crushed walnuts, 3 tsp. of salt, 1 tsp. of black pepper and a few crushed basil leaves.
  
  

Low-Fat Ricotta Cheese

• If your pasta dishes call for mascarpone cheese, you can substitute low-fat ricotta cheese. For example, if you're making a vegetable lasagna and the cheese mixture has mascarpone in it, you can use the ricotta and add to it 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, 2 tsp. of black pepper and a few crushed oregano leaves.
  
  

Low-Fat Cream Cheese

• If you're making a chocolate icing and it calls for mascarpone cheese, you can substitute low-fat cream cheese as a healthier option. In a medium-sized bowl you can combine 1/2 cup of dark cocoa powder, 1 cup of the cream cheese, 3 tsp. of milk or heavy cream and an 8-oz. box of confectioner's sugar as well as 1 tsp. of vanilla extract.
  
  

Reduced-Fat Sour Cream

• If you're looking for an alternative to mascarpone cheese when topping your salads or soups, you can use reduced-fat sour cream. If you want to flavor your sour cream topping, you can combine 1 cup of the cream, 2 tsp. of chili powder, 1 tsp. each of salt and black pepper and 1 tsp. of garlic powder in a small bowl.