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KETOFOCUS.

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Annie Lampella Pharm.D., recipe developer Updated

Written by a pharmacist and recipe developer who has followed keto for 14 years. More about Annie →

Keto Cheese Recipes You Won't Believe Are Low-Carb

Almost every cheese is keto-friendly. The trick is knowing which one to reach for, and which to leave on the shelf.

Keto friendly 1g Net carbs 113 Calories 7g Protein 9g Fat

Nutrition per 1 oz[1][4]

136 keto cheese recipes

Is cheese keto?

Many natural cheeses are low in carbohydrate and can fit a ketogenic eating pattern. The displayed macros use cheddar as a representative form and round to about 1g carbohydrate per ounce; cheese type, brand, serving size, and label rounding vary.

Quick reference [1][4]

Calories
113 per 1 oz
Fat
9g
Protein
7g
Net carbs
1g

Using it

Best for
Melting, fat head dough, sauces, toppers
How much to use
No conversion needed here — cheese is already keto-perfect. The one thing I always remind people: block cheese, not pre-shredded. The bags have anti-caking starch added that messes with sauces and melts. I keep a block of mozzarella and a block of sharp cheddar in my fridge at all times.
Substitutes
Nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor in dairy-free dishes. Start with 2 tablespoons per ounce.
Storage
Refrigerate opened hard cheese for 3 to 4 weeks and shredded cheddar or mozzarella for up to 1 month. Follow the package date; soft and fresh cheeses have shorter, product-specific windows. [2][3]

New to keto? Many cheeses are low in carbohydrate, but values vary by type, brand, form, serving size, and label rounding. Full breakdown: Is cheese keto? →

I have tested cheese in more keto recipes than I can count, and I have strong opinions about it. Most of them come down to two questions: which cheese for which job, and what to never put in your cart.

The cheeses I keep stocked

Sharp cheddar is my everyday workhorse. I melt it into casseroles, stuff it into peppers, and eat it straight off the block when I need something fast. Mozzarella is what I reach for when I need stretch: fat head dough, keto pizza, lasagna. Cream cheese is the backbone of my keto baking. Parmesan is the seasoning cheese, and a tablespoon of the finely grated stuff adds more flavor to a dish than almost any spice I own.

Buy the block, not the bag

I usually grate block cheese when a sauce needs the smoothest melt. Some pre-shredded products use anti-caking ingredients, but cellulose is not the same as digestible starch and formulations vary. Compare equal serving weights and the current carbohydrate and ingredient labels instead of assuming every bag adds carbs.

Why cream cheese earns its own shelf

Cream cheese can work in cheesecake, sauces, and fat head dough, but block, tub, whipped, flavored, full-fat, and reduced-fat products vary. Compare the current label and use the form the recipe was tested with; fat level alone does not establish the carbohydrate amount or baking result.

The cheeses to skip

American singles, processed loaves, spray cheese, deli cheese, and natural cheese are different products with different labels. Compare serving size, total carbohydrate, sodium, saturated fat, and ingredients instead of applying one 1-to-3-gram range or assuming the store department determines the better choice.

Annie’s go-to brands

  • Tillamook Block Sharp Cheddar
  • BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella
  • Philadelphia Full-Fat Cream Cheese
  • Cabot Seriously Sharp Block Cheddar
  • Cousin Eddie's Parmigiano-Reggiano

Questions about Cheese

Is cheese keto?

Many natural cheeses are low in carbohydrate and can fit a ketogenic eating pattern. The displayed macros use cheddar and round to about 1g carbohydrate per ounce; type, brand, serving size, and label rounding vary. Full breakdown: Is cheese keto? →

[1][4]
Is cream cheese keto?

Cream cheese can fit when the labeled serving and amount fit your plan. Block, tub, whipped, flavored, full-fat, and reduced-fat products vary, and this cheese overview does not assign one carb value to all of them. Check the current package and use the form the recipe specifies; see the dedicated cream-cheese guide for its cited representative value.

[4]
How much cheese can you eat on keto?

There is no universal cheese allowance. Carbohydrate, calories, saturated fat, and sodium vary by cheese and serving size, and weight change cannot be attributed to one food without considering the full eating pattern and other factors. Use the label or USDA entry for the cheese and portion you eat; ask a qualified clinician or registered dietitian for individualized advice.

[1][4][5]
Is mozzarella keto?

Mozzarella can fit a ketogenic eating pattern, but fresh, whole-milk, part-skim, low-moisture, shredded, and string products vary by serving size and label. Use the current package and the amount in the recipe. Low-moisture mozzarella is commonly used for fat head dough because its moisture and melting behavior suit that preparation.

[4]
Why does pre-shredded cheese have more carbs?

Some pre-shredded cheeses use anti-caking ingredients, but cellulose is not the same as digestible starch and products vary. Compare equal serving weights and the current total-carbohydrate and ingredient labels rather than assuming every bag adds 1 to 2 grams. I often grate a block when a recipe needs the smoothest melt.

[4]

Nutrition and health note: Nutrition values are estimates and can vary by brand and serving size. This guide is for general information, not medical advice. Ask a qualified healthcare professional about dietary changes that may affect a health condition or medication.

Sources & notes 5 references

Show the references
  1. USDA FoodData Central: cheddar cheese (opens in a new tab)

    Nutrition: Cheddar is the representative form used for the displayed macros and rounds to about 1 gram carbohydrate per ounce; values vary by cheese type.

  2. USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data catalog (opens in a new tab)

    Storage: Primary USDA-developed FoodKeeper records distinguish hard and shredded cheese storage forms.

  3. Nebraska Extension: Home Food Storage (opens in a new tab)

    Storage reference: Readable supporting chart lists opened hard cheese at 3 to 4 weeks and shredded cheddar or mozzarella at about 1 month.

  4. FDA: Serving Size on the Nutrition Facts Label (opens in a new tab)

    Nutrition and labeling: Packaged-food values apply to the labeled serving; compare the serving size and current product label because formulations vary.

  5. American Heart Association: Saturated Fats (opens in a new tab)

    Nutrition and health: Saturated-fat guidance and the importance of the overall eating pattern and individual cardiovascular risk.

More Keto Ingredients

136 recipes with Cheese

Most popular

1.8g NET CARBS
Closeup of a keto pizza topped with basil, olive and pepperoni.
Dinner Keto Chicken Crust Pizza 22 min
2.4g NET CARBS
Three slices of keto bread leaning against the cut loaf on a wooden board.
Sides Keto Bread 40 min
3.5g NET CARBS
a baked pepperoni pizza on a homemade low-carb crust
Dinner Keto Pizza 30 min
4g NET CARBS
keto lasagna layers on a plate with a fork
Dinner Low Carb Keto Lasagna 30 min

Dessert

4.4g NET CARBS
A slice of no-bake cheesecake on a plate covered with raspberry sauce and whole fresh raspberries.
Dessert Keto Raspberry No-Bake Cheesecake 40 min
3.4g NET CARBS
Slice of protein cheesecake topped with whipped cream, raspberries and blueberries.
Dessert Protein Cheesecake 75 min
4.2g NET CARBS
pumpkin donuts stacked up
Dessert The Best Keto Pumpkin Donuts with Pumpkin Spice Glaze 24 min

Dinner

6g NET CARBS
ground beef stuffed red peppers on a plate
Dinner Keto Stuffed Peppers 30 min
2.8g NET CARBS
four baked sausages stuffed with cheese and topped with parsley
Dinner Stuffed Italian Sausage 45 min
6.5g NET CARBS
two big bowls of keto white chicken chili for dinner
Dinner Keto White Chicken Chili 25 min
3.3g NET CARBS
a plate of cheesy crack chicken topped with green onion and bacon over a bed of cauliflower rice
Dinner Keto Crack Chicken 30 min
1.5g NET CARBS
cheesy casserole in a white casserole dish topped with parsley with a glass of white wine next to it
Dinner Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole 40 min
2.9g NET CARBS
A wooden spoon holding a slice of creamy boursin chicken topped with parsley.
Dinner Boursin Chicken 30 min

Breakfast

3.1g NET CARBS
close up original keto chaffle
Breakfast Keto Chaffle Recipe 6 min
1.1g NET CARBS
a fork cut into the yolk of an egg cup
Breakfast Keto Egg Cups 15 min
2.3g NET CARBS
a close up of a thick cheesy sausage low-carb casserole
Breakfast Keto Sausage Breakfast Casserole 30 min
3.1g NET CARBS
a cast iron skillet with creamy cheese grits in it topped with melted butter
Breakfast Keto Grits 12 min
0.4g NET CARBS
juicy, cheesy sausage balls stacked on each other in a skillet with a toothpick in the top one
Breakfast Keto Sausage Balls 20 min
3.3g NET CARBS
stack cream cheese keto pancakes
Breakfast Keto Cream Cheese Pancakes 15 min

Appetizers

1.1g NET CARBS
A plate of homemade cheez-its on a white plate.
Appetizers Keto Cheez-Its 40 min
0.4g NET CARBS
a plater of mozzarella cheese sticks and sprigs of parsley
Appetizers Keto Mozzarella Sticks 132 min
4.6g NET CARBS
Crispy orange cottage cheese chips cut into triangles and coated in a bold, Dorito-style seasoning.
Appetizers Cottage Cheese Chips 35 min
0.7g NET CARBS
Creamy dip with bacon, green onion and cheese in a bowl next to a pile of crackers
Appetizers Million Dollar Dip 3 min
2g NET CARBS
A slice out of a cake made out of bologna and cream cheese.
Appetizers Bologna Cake 10 min
1.8g NET CARBS
A spoon pulling up a creamy portion of jalapeno popper dip.
Appetizers Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip 25 min

Sides

4.2g NET CARBS
Basket of golden keto bread rolls
Sides The Best Keto Bread Rolls 18 min
1.6g NET CARBS
a golden bread puff topped with parmesan and parlsey
Sides Keto Parmesan Bread Puffs 25 min
3.7g NET CARBS
scooping out a spoonful of cheesy cauliflower casserole
Sides Loaded Cauliflower Casserole 40 min
5.3g NET CARBS
scooping out keto mashed cauliflower
Sides Keto Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes 20 min
2.1g NET CARBS
Crumbled bacon on top of a cheesy brussel sprouts casserole.
Sides Cheesy Brussels Sprouts 25 min
2.4g NET CARBS
Baby kale salad on a plate topped with grated parmesan, toasted almonds and lemon slices.
Sides Lemon Garlic Kale Salad 15 min

Lunch

7.7g NET CARBS
A mini pizza in a ramekin topped with pepperoni, basil and parmesan cheese.
Lunch Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl 15 min
5.3g NET CARBS
chicken taquitos close up on a plate with toppings dripping down the sides
Lunch Keto Chicken Taquitos 10 min
2.2g NET CARBS
Golden canned chicken nuggets served with a side of creamy ranch dipping sauce on a white plate.
Lunch Canned Chicken Nuggets 15 min
5.5g NET CARBS
keto corn dog with mustard
Lunch Keto Corn Dogs 20 min
3.5g NET CARBS
a ramekin with cheesy pizza in it topped with parsley and italian seasoning
Lunch Pizza Bowl 2 min
7.2g NET CARBS
keto pizza pockets on a pan
Lunch Keto Pizza Pockets 30 min

Condiments & Dressings

1.6g NET CARBS
A plate of fettucine alfredo topped with pepper and parsley and a fork dug into the noodles.
Condiments & Dressings Keto Alfredo Sauce 22 min
0.1g NET CARBS
dipping a tortilla chip into queso
Condiments & Dressings Keto Nacho Cheese Sauce 10 min
0.7g NET CARBS
crumbled feta cheese on top a jar with creamy dressing in it
Condiments & Dressings Creamy Feta Dressing 10 min

Browse all

2.2g NET CARBS
Golden canned chicken nuggets served with a side of creamy ranch dipping sauce on a white plate.
Lunch Canned Chicken Nuggets 15 min
8.2g NET CARBS
Low-carb ham and Swiss ziti casserole with spinach and melted cheese on a white plate.
Dinner Low Carb Ham & Swiss Ziti Casserole 50 min
4.6g NET CARBS
Crispy orange cottage cheese chips cut into triangles and coated in a bold, Dorito-style seasoning.
Appetizers Cottage Cheese Chips 35 min
7.5g NET CARBS
Individual Mexican lasagna bowls topped with avocado, pico de gallo and sour cream.
Lunch Mexican Lasagna Bowls 40 min
4g NET CARBS
Keto pickle sandwich with turkey, cheddar, lettuce and tomato between crispy pickle-cheese bread.
Lunch Pickle Sandwich 13 min
7.7g NET CARBS
A mini pizza in a ramekin topped with pepperoni, basil and parmesan cheese.
Lunch Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl 15 min
9.5g NET CARBS
Creamy Tuscan chicken and orzo with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan.
Dinner Low Carb Tuscan Chicken Pasta 60 min
11.2g NET CARBS
Two quesaritos stacked on top of each other on a plate with a lime wedge.
Dinner Keto Quesarito 50 min
6.2g NET CARBS
Keto white chicken enchiladas with creamy sauce, pico de gallo, sour cream and jalapeños.
Dinner Keto White Chicken Enchiladas 40 min
1.8g NET CARBS
A spoon pulling up a creamy portion of jalapeno popper dip.
Appetizers Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip 25 min
2.9g NET CARBS
A wooden spoon holding a slice of creamy boursin chicken topped with parsley.
Dinner Boursin Chicken 30 min
4.4g NET CARBS
A slice of no-bake cheesecake on a plate covered with raspberry sauce and whole fresh raspberries.
Dessert Keto Raspberry No-Bake Cheesecake 40 min
6.6g NET CARBS
A plate of cheesy keto nachos topped with sour cream, olives, guacamole and pico de gallo.
Appetizers Keto Nachos 35 min
4.9g NET CARBS
Mexican breakfast casserole with sausage, tortillas and cheese, topped with avocado and tomato.
Breakfast Mexican Breakfast Casserole 70 min
4g NET CARBS
Keto puff pastry Christmas trees with parmesan, parsley and cheese stars.
Appetizers Keto Puff Pastry Trees 60 min
1.1g NET CARBS
Italian slider sandwiches filled with ham, salami cheese and olive mix.
Lunch Italian Keto Sliders 25 min
2.1g NET CARBS
Crumbled bacon on top of a cheesy brussel sprouts casserole.
Sides Cheesy Brussels Sprouts 25 min
0.5g NET CARBS
Seasoned smoked cream cheese with bell peppers, celery and toast rounds in a cast-iron skillet.
Appetizers Smoked Cream Cheese 125 min
2.4g NET CARBS
Baby kale salad on a plate topped with grated parmesan, toasted almonds and lemon slices.
Sides Lemon Garlic Kale Salad 15 min
2.1g NET CARBS
A pile of crispy wings coated with parmesan and parsley on a plate.
Appetizers Garlic Parmesan Wings 40 min
8.9g NET CARBS
Stacked keto Big Mac crunchwraps filled with beef, cheese, lettuce, onions and pickles.
Dinner Keto Big Mac Crunchwrap 40 min
4.7g NET CARBS
Pinwheel shaped savory spinach buns bunched together on a baking tray.
Appetizers Keto Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels 55 min
2.5g NET CARBS
Five mason jars with layers of sausage mixture, shredded cheese and a whole egg on top.
Breakfast Breakfast Bowl 20 min
6.6g NET CARBS
Close up of the layers of a Portobello mushroom sandwich with tomato, mozzarella and basil inside.
Lunch Portobello Sandwich 8 min

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