Manchego vs Parmesan: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Parmesan has higher protein at 28.4 g compared to Manchego's 25 g, while Manchego is lower in calories at 393 compared to Parmesan's 420.

Manchego and Parmesan are both popular cheeses with unique flavors and textures. This comparison highlights their nutritional differences per 100 g, focusing on calories, protein, and other key nutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Manchego and Parmesan?

Manchego is a Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk, known for its firm texture and rich flavor. It is often aged for several months to develop its characteristic taste. Parmesan is an Italian cheese made from cow's milk, recognized for its hard texture and strong, savory flavor. It is typically aged for a minimum of 12 months.

Manchego vs Parmesan: Nutrition Side by Side

Here is a side-by-side comparison of Manchego and Parmesan, showcasing their nutritional profiles.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Manchego	Parmesan (grated)
Calories	393 kcal	420 kcal
Protein	25 g	28.4 g
Carbs	0.5 g	13.9 g
Sugar	0 g	0.8 g
Fat	32 g	27.8 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	1200 mg	1804 mg

Which Is Better, Manchego or Parmesan?

For weight loss: Manchego contains 393 calories, while Parmesan has 420 calories, making Manchego the lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Parmesan provides more protein at 28.4 g compared to Manchego's 25 g, making it a better choice for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Manchego has 0.5 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar, while Parmesan has 13.9 g of carbs and 0.8 g of sugar, making Manchego the low-carb option.

How to Track Manchego and Parmesan Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when consuming cheese, as they can be calorie-dense. 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 professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Manchego from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Parmesan from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which cheese has more protein?

Parmesan has 28.4 g of protein, while Manchego has 25 g.

Which cheese has fewer calories?

Manchego has 393 calories, while Parmesan has 420 calories.

What is the fat content in Manchego?

Manchego contains 32 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in Parmesan?

Parmesan contains 1804 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How many carbs are in Parmesan?

Parmesan has 13.9 g of carbs per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in Manchego?

Manchego has 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Manchego has 393 calories per 100 g.
• Parmesan has 420 calories per 100 g.
• Manchego contains 25 g of protein.
• Parmesan contains 28.4 g of protein.
• Manchego has 0.5 g of carbs.
• Parmesan has 13.9 g of carbs.