Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Need a Protein Boost? Try These 10 High-Protein Cheese Recipes Believe it or not, many kinds of cheese pack a powerful protein punch. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Instagram Website Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 13, 2023 Fact checked by Emily Peterson Fact checked by Emily Peterson Emily Peterson is an experienced fact-checker and editor with Bachelor's degrees in English Literature and French. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images Protein is everywhere—in various types of meat, plant-based foods such as vegetables, and yes, even cheese. While you might not equate cheese with this vital nutrient, multiple cheese varieties taste delicious and can help you boost your protein intake. Given that many U.S. residents don't eat enough protein—the Dietary Reference Intake for protein amounts to 56 grams per day for the average man and 46 grams per day for the average woman—every little bit counts. "Protein is one of the three macronutrients that provide the body with calories, along with fat and carbohydrates. Because of this, protein is an essential part of our diet and vital for life. Protein not only provides us with calories, but it also plays a key role in cellular health," explains Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements. "Taking in adequate protein in your diet means you will fuel your body with nutrients to build muscle, skin, cartilage, and bones," says Best. "Protein is essential in tissue repair, hormone regulation, oxygenating the blood, and creating enzymes to aid in digestion." Since cheese is so versatile and can be added to anything from a burger to scrambled eggs, it's easy to get a little extra protein via a slice of Gouda or some savory goat cheese crumbles. With that in mind, we consulted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food database and picked 10 different cheese types that pack an impressive amount of protein per serving. What's more? Since protein is crucial to a healthy and balanced diet, we also included links to recipes that call for each of those 10 cheese varieties, so you can increase your protein consumption ASAP. 8 of the Highest-Protein Foods Every Well-Balanced Diet Should Include Protein-Filled Cheeses Eager to add some more protein to your diet courtesy of some irresistible cheese? Keep reading to find out which cheeses you should purchase the next time you head to the grocery store! 01 of 10 Romano Vladislav Chusov/Getty Images get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 31.8 grams "One ounce of Romano cheese provides the consumer with 9 grams of protein, which is a significant amount for the average adult," says Best. "This form of hard Italian cheese contains a beneficial fatty acid known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to improve [the] risk of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and chronic inflammation." This classic dish is a simple and creamy combination of cheese and pepper—and is made with 1/3 cup of grated Romano cheese. How to Pick the Healthiest Cheese on the Shelf, According to an RD 02 of 10 Non-Fat Mozzarella Johnny Miller get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 31.7 grams "An ounce of this soft cheese contains 9.1 grams of protein and under 1 gram of carbohydrates," Best notes. "Mozzarella cheese is versatile, making it easy to add to your diet to give you the benefit of increased calcium. This cheese provides 21 percent of the daily recommended intake." Need a vehicle for your mozzarella? Try this savory salad made with a whole pound of mozzarella, thinly sliced salami, green olives, and a dressing that includes honey and lemon zest. 03 of 10 Hard Goat Cheese John Kernick get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 30.5 grams "This popular cheese provides 8.7 grams of protein per ounce along with just 0.6 grams of carbohydrates. In addition to protein, this cheese also provides the consumer with beneficial probiotics," Best explains. "These naturally occurring bacteria improve gut health [and] digestion, and contribute to overall health." To add more goat cheese to your diet, try this light pasta. In addition to being topped with crumbled goat cheese and lemon zest, the pasta is made with sliced zucchini and garlic. 04 of 10 Gruyère Mikkel Vang get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 29.8 grams "This cheese, used primarily as a melting cheese in fondues and baked dishes, provides 8 grams of protein for just 1 ounce," according to Best. "Along with its protein content, Gruyère provides an impressive amount of B12 at 19 percent of the daily recommended value. This nutrient is involved in energy, nerve cell health, and mood." This cheese, which is actually a type of Swiss cheese, shines in this creamy scalloped potatoes recipe, which also includes milk and heavy cream for added calcium. 05 of 10 Grated Parmesan Jennifer Causey get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 29.6 grams Parmesan cheese goes with just about anything. Case in point: This recipe pairs 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese with scrambled eggs so you can start the day with a healthy and hefty dose of protein. "An ounce of this popular cheese provides a significant amount of protein at 8 grams," Best notes. "Parmesan is another versatile cheese that can be used in many dishes, but what is most impressive may be the fact that it's naturally lactose-free." Here's the Difference Between Asiago, Romano, and Parmesan Cheese 06 of 10 Low-Fat Swiss Jen Causey get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 28.4 grams This cheese (another versatile pick) works well in sandwiches, wraps, or omelets and, as this recipe proves, can also hold its own in a dish that's a bit heartier. This quick chicken dinner is basically comfort and coziness on your plate and takes just 30 minutes to make. In addition to chicken and cheese, this recipe calls for slivers of prosciutto and a crunchy Panko breadcrumb topping. "Swiss cheese is identified by its appearance with holes embedded throughout. However, there is more to Swiss cheese than how it looks. This cheese provides 8 grams of protein for 1 ounce and only 50 calories, as well as under 2 grams of fat," Best says. "This nutrient makeup makes Swiss cheese one of the healthier cheeses available." Not a fan of low-fat cheese? The same size serving of full-fat Swiss cheese has 27 grams of protein. 07 of 10 Provolone Danny Kim get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 25.6 grams "This cheese is classified as a semi-firm Italian cheese and contains 7 grams of protein per ounce," Best notes. "Along with an impressive amount of calcium, provolone also contains a significant amount of vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health." Keep your eyes in tip-top shape with this chicken sandwich recipe, which includes sprouts and provolone cheese. It's a quick lunch or dinner option and a great way to boost your protein. 08 of 10 Halloumi Greg DuPree get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 25 grams If you're a fan of Greek cuisine, you're likely familiar with this popular cheese. In this recipe, the pungent ingredient is grilled and joined by other typical Greek staples, including olives, chickpeas, cucumbers, and onions. "This semi-hard cheese has a tangy flavor and chewy texture that packs 7 grams of protein into a 1-ounce serving," shares Best. "This is another cheese that supports bone health via its beneficial calcium content at 25 percent of the daily recommended value." 09 of 10 Edam Greg DuPree get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 25 grams "Edam is a mild-flavored cheese that contains 7 grams of protein for a 1-ounce serving. Along with its beneficial protein, it has an impressive amount of potassium, which is an important electrolyte for healthy nerve function and fluid balance," Best explains. While this recipe doesn't use Edam cheese, it does call for fontina cheese, which is similar. The cheese is layered with prosciutto and spring greens on crusty bread, then topped with a fried egg for a delicious open-faced sandwich. 10 of 10 Gouda Victor Protasio get the recipe Protein, per 100 grams: 24.9 grams "An ounce of this semi-soft cheese contains 7 grams of protein in a 1-ounce serving," says Best. "This cheese also contains beneficial probiotic bacteria for overall health and vitamin K2, which improves skin, bone, brain, and heart vessels." To keep your body in good shape, turn to this recipe for cheese puffs, which is great for a holiday party or other gatherings. The savory puffs are made with 1 cup of smoked Gouda packed inside a simple dough shell topped with flaky sea salt and pepper. 40 High-Protein Dinner Ideas Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. 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