Cottage Cheese vs Ricotta: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Cottage cheese has 11.1 g of protein and 98 calories, while ricotta has 7.8 g of protein and 157 calories. Cottage cheese is higher in protein and lower in calories.

Cottage cheese and ricotta are both popular dairy products, but they have distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison will help you understand their differences in calories, protein, and other nutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Cottage Cheese and Ricotta?

Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese made from curds that are drained of their whey. It is known for its mild flavor and creamy texture. Ricotta is a soft cheese made from the whey leftover from the production of other cheeses. It has a slightly grainy texture and a rich, creamy taste.

Cottage Cheese vs Ricotta: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of cottage cheese and ricotta, highlighting their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Cottage cheese (creamed)	Ricotta (whole milk)
Calories	98 kcal	157 kcal
Protein	11.1 g	7.8 g
Carbs	3.4 g	6.9 g
Sugar	2.7 g	0.3 g
Fat	4.3 g	11 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	315 mg	105 mg

Which Is Better, Cottage Cheese or Ricotta?

For weight loss: Cottage cheese has 98 calories, while ricotta has 157 calories. Therefore, cottage cheese is the better option for those focusing on weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Cottage cheese contains 11.1 g of protein, compared to ricotta's 7.8 g. This makes cottage cheese a superior choice for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Cottage cheese has 3.4 g of carbs and 2.7 g of sugar, while ricotta has 6.9 g of carbs and 0.3 g of sugar. Cottage cheese is lower in both carbs and sugar.

How to Track Cottage cheese and Ricotta Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when comparing dairy products, which can affect dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, cottage cheese or ricotta?

Cottage cheese has 11.1 g of protein, while ricotta has 7.8 g. Therefore, cottage cheese has more protein.

Which has fewer calories, cottage cheese or ricotta?

Cottage cheese contains 98 calories, whereas ricotta contains 157 calories. Thus, cottage cheese has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in cottage cheese?

Cottage cheese has 4.3 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in ricotta?

Ricotta has 0.3 g of sugar per 100 g.

How many carbs are in cottage cheese?

Cottage cheese has 3.4 g of carbs per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in ricotta?

Ricotta contains 105 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Cottage cheese: 98 calories, 11.1 g protein, 3.4 g carbs, 4.3 g fat.
• Ricotta: 157 calories, 7.8 g protein, 6.9 g carbs, 11 g fat.
• Cottage cheese has 2.7 g of sugar, ricotta has 0.3 g.
• Cottage cheese has 315 mg of sodium, ricotta has 105 mg.
• Cottage cheese is lower in calories and higher in protein than ricotta.