Mozzarella Cheese vs. Ricotta Cheese

Nutrition comparison of Mozzarella Cheese and Ricotta Cheese


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of mozzarella cheese versus ricotta cheese (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese:

  • Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese are high in Vitamin A, calcium, calories and saturated fat.
  • Mozzarella cheese is an excellent source of protein.
  • Ricotta cheese has more pantothenic acid.
  • Ricotta cheese is a great source of potassium.
Detailed nutritional comparison of mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Mozzarella Cheese (Cheese, mozzarella, whole milk, low moisture) and Ricotta Cheese (Cheese, ricotta, whole milk) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Mozzarella Cheese src
Image of Ricotta Cheese src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese are high in calories. Mozzarella cheese has 112% more calories than ricotta cheese - mozzarella cheese has 318 calories per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 150 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, mozzarella cheese is heavier in protein, lighter in carbs and heavier in fat compared to ricotta cheese per calorie. Mozzarella cheese has a macronutrient ratio of 27:3:70 and for ricotta cheese, 20:19:61 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Mozzarella Cheese Ricotta Cheese
Protein 27% 20%
Carbohydrates 3% 19%
Fat 70% 61%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of carbs - mozzarella cheese has 2.5g of total carbs per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 7.3g of carbohydrates.

sugar

Mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of sugar - mozzarella cheese has 1g of sugar per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 0.27g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Mozzarella cheese is an excellent source of protein and it has 186% more protein than ricotta cheese - mozzarella cheese has 21.6g of protein per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 7.5g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese are high in saturated fat. Mozzarella cheese has 142% more saturated fat than ricotta cheese - mozzarella cheese has 15.6g of saturated fat per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 6.4g of saturated fat.

trans fat

Both ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese are low in trans fat - ricotta cheese has 0.33g of trans fat per 100 grams and mozzarella cheese does not contain significant amounts.

cholesterol

Ricotta cheese has 45% less cholesterol than mozzarella cheese - mozzarella cheese has 89mg of cholesterol per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 49mg of cholesterol.

Vitamins

Vitamin A

Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese are high in Vitamin A. Mozzarella cheese has 64% more Vitamin A than ricotta cheese - mozzarella cheese has 197ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 120ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin D

Mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of Vitamin D - mozzarella cheese has 18iu of Vitamin D per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 10iu of Vitamin D.

Vitamin E

Mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - mozzarella cheese has 0.21mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 0.11mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - mozzarella cheese has 2.5ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 1.1ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Ricotta cheese has more pantothenic acid. Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain significant amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6, folate and Vitamin B12.

Mozzarella Cheese Ricotta Cheese
Thiamin 0.016 MG 0.013 MG
Riboflavin 0.27 MG 0.298 MG
Niacin 0.094 MG 0.137 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.071 MG 0.461 MG
Vitamin B6 0.062 MG 0.097 MG
Folate 8 UG 4 UG
Vitamin B12 0.73 UG 0.85 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese are high in calcium. Mozzarella cheese has 179% more calcium than ricotta cheese - mozzarella cheese has 575mg of calcium per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 206mg of calcium.

iron

Mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of iron - mozzarella cheese has 0.2mg of iron per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 0.13mg of iron.

potassium

Ricotta cheese is a great source of potassium and it has 192% more potassium than mozzarella cheese - mozzarella cheese has 75mg of potassium per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 219mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids, both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain significant amounts of beta-carotene.

Mozzarella Cheese Ricotta Cheese
beta-carotene 63 UG 33 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, mozzarella cheese has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than ricotta cheese per 100 grams.

Mozzarella Cheese Ricotta Cheese
alpha linoleic acid 0.212 G 0.043 G
DHA ~ 0.001 G
EPA ~ 0.004 G
DPA ~ 0.006 G
Total 0.212 G 0.054 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese contain significant amounts of linoleic acid.

Mozzarella Cheese Ricotta Cheese
linoleic acid 0.566 G 0.356 G
other omega 6 ~ 0.012 G
Total 0.566 G 0.368 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Mozzarella Cheese or Ricotta Cheese .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Mozzarella Cheese (Cheese, mozzarella, whole milk, low moisture) and Ricotta Cheese (Cheese, ricotta, whole milk) .

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FAQ

Does mozzarella cheese or ricotta cheese contain more calories in 100 grams?
Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese are high in calories. Mozzarella cheese has 110% more calories than ricotta cheese - mozzarella cheese has 318 calories in 100g and ricotta cheese has 150 calories.

Does mozzarella cheese or ricotta cheese contain more calcium?
Both mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese are high in calcium. Mozzarella cheese has 180% more calcium than ricotta cheese - mozzarella cheese has 575mg of calcium in 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 206mg of calcium.