Parmesan vs Mozzarella: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Parmesan, with 28.4 g of protein, is higher in protein than Mozzarella, which has 24.3 g. Mozzarella is lower in calories at 254, compared to Parmesan's 420.

Parmesan and Mozzarella are both widely used cheeses, but they differ significantly in their nutritional content. This comparison examines their calories, protein, fat, and other key nutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Parmesan and Mozzarella?

Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese known for its rich flavor and granular texture. It is often grated and used as a topping for various dishes. Mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese that is traditionally made from water buffalo's milk. It is commonly used in salads, pizzas, and various Italian dishes.

Parmesan vs Mozzarella: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Parmesan and Mozzarella, highlighting their nutritional differences.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Parmesan (grated)	Mozzarella (part-skim)
Calories	420 kcal	254 kcal
Protein	28.4 g	24.3 g
Carbs	13.9 g	2.8 g
Sugar	0.8 g	1.1 g
Fat	27.8 g	15.9 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	1804 mg	619 mg

Which Is Better, Parmesan or Mozzarella?

For weight loss: Mozzarella is lower in calories at 254, while Parmesan has 420 calories. This significant difference may influence choices for those focused on weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Parmesan provides 28.4 g of protein, making it a better option for muscle building compared to Mozzarella's 24.3 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Parmesan contains 13.9 g of carbs and 0.8 g of sugar, while Mozzarella has only 2.8 g of carbs and 1.1 g of sugar, making Mozzarella the lower option.

How to Track Parmesan and Mozzarella Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when enjoying cheese, which can affect your dietary goals. 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 presented are rounded reference values for educational use, not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which cheese has more protein?

Parmesan has 28.4 g of protein, while Mozzarella has 24.3 g of protein.

Which cheese has fewer calories?

Mozzarella has 254 calories, whereas Parmesan has 420 calories.

What is the fat content in Parmesan?

Parmesan contains 27.8 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in Mozzarella?

Mozzarella has 619 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in Parmesan?

Parmesan contains 0.8 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in Mozzarella?

Mozzarella has 2.8 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Parmesan has 420 calories per 100 g.
• Mozzarella has 254 calories per 100 g.
• Parmesan contains 28.4 g of protein.
• Mozzarella contains 24.3 g of protein.
• Parmesan has 27.8 g of fat.
• Mozzarella has 15.9 g of fat.