Easy Ricotta & Parmesan Cheese Fritters Recipe - Low-Carb & Delicious (2024)

FAQs

Is ricotta cheese good for low carb diet? ›

Ricotta cheese can be consumed in moderation on a keto diet, as it is a low-carb and high-fat food. However, the exact amount of ricotta to consume on a ketogenic diet would depend on your individual nutritional needs and goals.

A ¼ cup serving of ricotta cheese contains 2g net carbs, 8g of fat, 7g of protein and 110 calories.

Ricotta can replace cottage cheese in scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and more.

Ricotta is a smooth cheese with a creamy mild taste and a thick texture. Its light flavour and low salt content make it perfect for using in sweet or savoury dishes. It can also be air-cured or dried in the oven to make it into a harder, sharp-tasting cheese that can be grated.

Parmesan cheese: Nutty, salty, and keto-friendly, grated parmesan cheese is a good option. It is good on caesar salads, and more can be added to replace carb-heavy croutons. A tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese contains . 7 grams of carbs, 1.4 grams of protein, 1.4 grams of fat, and has 21 calories.

Overdoing it on meat and cheese has its own health risks and may lead to weight gain, as these foods contain a lot of calories (primarily from fat). Going low-carb isn't a license to eat as much of these foods as you want.

Compared to most cheeses, ricotta is a healthier choice because it contains less salt and fat - 10 per cent fat, of which 6 per cent is saturated. It's light and creamy with a slightly grainy texture and delicate flavour that can be used on its own or in sweet and savoury dishes.

Carbohydrate Content

A 100-gram serving of ricotta typically contains around 3 grams of carbohydrates, while the same serving size of cottage cheese provides approximately 3.4 grams. Both options are relatively low in carbs, making them suitable for individuals following low-carb or keto diets.

Got cheese has the lowest carb content out of all varieties. It contains zero carbs while supplying you with 8 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving.

Though cottage cheese has a lower fat content, ricotta cheese is higher in calcium and selenium, as well as vitamins A, E, D, and B2. Ricotta is also more suitable for a low-carb diet, as it has fewer carbohydrates than cottage cheese.

Can I use sour cream instead of ricotta? ›

Sour cream: The textures are obviously quite different. But, in a pinch, sour cream can pass as a ricotta alternative in a dish where cheese isn't the star of the show. If you're looking for a sub for lasagna, though, reach for cottage or goat cheese instead.

You can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta for lasagna and stuffed shell recipes, but usually that's only for people looking to lower the fat and calories in their dish, rather than a taste or texture preference. Strain or blend the cottage cheese if you want the consistency to be closer to ricotta.

It can also be eaten by itself, perhaps accompanied by honey or jam, or spread on fresh, warm bread. Made from the leftover curds from cheese making, ricotta is a prime example of the Italian tradition of never throwing anything away.

One key detail to keep in mind is whether the package of ricotta cheese has been opened or not. Unopened ricotta will last about two weeks in the fridge, while opened ricotta will last just a week. As for the freezer, you can store ricotta for up to three months.

Today, ricotta is widely appreciated for its versatility: it can be sweet or savory, hot or cold, fresh or cooked. We eat it fresh straight out of its fuscella (the basket where ricotta is kept), but also atop pasta, fresh bread, crostini, or eggs.

“Ricotta is higher in carbs. While it can be a good option once in a while, you have to watch portions,” says Weiss. Per the USDA, a ½-cup serving of ricotta will contain 204 calories for a whopping 14 g of fat, 9 g of carbs, and 10 g of protein.

With that in mind, many of our cheese favorites can be keto superstars, excellent news for those following the program. “Generally speaking, harder cheeses like Cheddar and parmesan tend to have the lowest carb count, while softer cheeses like ricotta have higher amounts of carbs,” says Nanavati.

Some of the best cheeses to eat on the keto diet are cheddar, Gouda, blue cheese, and goat cheese due to their suitable high fat and low carb content.