Cheese Lover? 30 Cheesy Foods to Add to Your Menu

Article posted in: Nutrisystem
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Americans love their cheese. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that people in the U.S. increased their consumption of cheese in the last four decades from about 11 pounds per person per year to about 33.5 pounds, particularly Italian-style cheeses such as mozzarella, Parmesan and provolone. Cheesy foods are the ultimate guilty pleasure.

But it doesn’t have to be a guilt-ridden indulgence. Cheesy foods can be an excellent source of calcium, which is vital for strong bones and teeth. But it can also be bad because cheese is a pretty serious source of fat and calories. That’s probably why, when you’re trying to lose weight, cheese doesn’t often make it to the menu.

But on Nutrisystem, you don’t have to give up cheese. In fact, you have the option of 30 different meal ideas—from breakfasts and lunches to dinners and snacks—whose first, last or middle name is cheese.

Healthier Comfort Food: 10 Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipes

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Check out 30 of our cheesy foods that are sure to satisfy all of your cheesy cravings:

Breakfasts

1. Breakfast Burrito

breakfast burrito

Cheesy foods to start your day? You bet! This Breakfast Burrito is so delicious and tastes better than the option at the drive-thru. It’s stuffed with cheesy scrambled eggs, black beans, mozzarella and bell peppers. It clocks in at 200 calories, but with all this hearty flavor, it’s sure to satisfy you right up until lunch time.

2. Cherry Cheese Roll

Cherry Cheese Roll

This easy breakfast roll is all about the cream cheese and cherries. Enjoy real diced cherries and creamy cheese, rolled together in a warm, soft-baked pastry. Drizzled with our signature cream cheese frosting, this Cherry Cheese Roll is a guilt-free breakfast Danish!

3. Canadian Style Uncured Turkey Bacon, Egg and Cheese Muffin

Canadian Style Turkey Bacon, Egg and Cheese Muffin

Kickstart your morning with our  breakfast sandwich, packed with cheesy goodness and easy to make! Featuring fluffy egg whites, melty American cheese and savory Canadian-style uncured turkey bacon, this protein-packed breakfast has 11 grams of protein in each 160 calorie serving. Delicious, satisfying and ready in minutes!

Lunches

4. Loaded Mashed Potato

Loaded Mashed Potato

Cheese and potatoes are the perfect pair in this loaded lunch! Featuring a blend of tangy cheddar and blue cheeses with crunchy bacon bits, our Loaded Mashed Potato is comfort food made easy. It contains 190 calories, 10 grams of protein and three grams of fiber.

5. Meatball Parmesan Melt

Meatball Parmesan Melt

When you see the word “melt,” you know it’s going to be cheesy. A whole grain crust wraps around a generous amount of savory meatballs, parmesan and mozzarella cheese in a zesty tomato sauce. At 240 calories with 14 grams of protein, this Meatball Parmesan Melt will keep your taste buds AND your waistline happy.

6. Beef, Bean and Cheese Burrito

Beef, Bean & Cheese Burrito

If you’re a cheese lover, our grab-and-go burrito is made for you! Packed with 10 grams of protein from gooey mozzarella cheese, this lunch is as nutritious as it is delicious. Combine that with Mexican-style seasoned beef, black beans and brown rice, all wrapped in a soft tortilla, and you’ve got a burrito that’s bursting with flavor and fuel to keep you going. It’s cheesy, satisfying and worth sharing!

7. Four Cheese Melt

Four Cheese Mel

Made for cheese lovers and vegetarians, this convenient Four Cheese Melt lunch option has Parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses wrapped in a whole grain crust—and it’s 240 calories of satisfying goodness.

8. Chicken Mozzarella Melt

Chicken Mozzarella Melt

You may recognize this combo as a cheesy chicken parm sandwich. There’s still tender chicken, tomatoes, melty Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Taking the place of breading is a seasoned whole grain wrap. At 220 calories, our Chicken Mozzarella Melt supplies six grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein.

9. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Let’s face it: Mac and cheese is at the top of most cheese lovers’ lists as the favorite go-to of cheesy foods. It doesn’t get much cheesier than our White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. The noodles are tender and nestled in a creamy white cheddar cheese sauce. At 220 calories, it supplies 10 grams of protein and three grams of fiber. Pro tip: Up the fiber by adding a serving of your favorite non-starchy vegetable like broccoli, cauliflower or spinach.

10. Spinach and Cheese Pretzel Melt

Spinach and Cheese Pretzel Melt

You don’t have to kiss pretzels and cheese goodbye when you’re on Nutrisystem. This portable Spinach and Cheese Pretzel Melt is stuffed with mozzarella, fontina, parmesan and spinach. It has 12 grams of protein and four grams of fiber which makes it filling, but clocks in at 230 calories.

11. Three Cheese Chicken

Three Cheese Chicken

The creamy cheese sauce makes this meal of tender chicken, curly pasta, savory tomatoes and broccoli even more delicious. For 200 calories, you get 10 grams of protein and four grams of fiber with a delicious dose of flavor in this Three Cheese Chicken lunch.

12. Spicy Uncured Pepperoni Pizza Melt

Spicy Uncured Pepperoni Pizza Melt

Enjoy all the cheesy goodness of pepperoni pizza in a convenient, high-protein lunch! Packed with melty, mouthwatering mozzarella, every bite oozes with rich, creamy flavor. Combined with spicy pepperoni, zesty tomato sauce and a perfectly seasoned crust, it’s a cheese-lover’s dream. Just pop it in the microwave for a hot, cheesy lunch that’s quick, easy, and impossible to resist!

13. Café-Style Soup Creamy Tomato

Café Style Creamy Tomato Soup

Enjoy a gourmet twist on classic tomato soup! Made with slow-stewed tomatoes, rich chicken broth, a splash of heavy cream and the perfect touch of parmesan cheese for a savory, flavorful finish, this recipe takes your lunchtime favorite to the next level. Inspired by the comforting soup from your favorite café, our version delivers all the taste without the guilt. Perfect for a cozy meal or to pair with a warm slice of bread, this tomato soup is sure to satisfy.

14. Southwest Fiesta Melt

Southwest Fiesta Melt

Elevate your lunchtime with this burrito-inspired melt packed with bold flavors! Featuring a zesty mix of brown rice, black beans, sweet corn and gooey melted jack cheese, every bite is a flavor fiesta. The creamy, perfectly melted jack cheese takes this handheld meal to the next level, adding a rich and satisfying finish to the high-fiber filling. With only 240 calories and six grams of dietary fiber, it’s the perfect balance of nutritious and delicious. Try this cheesy, fiber-packed lunch today!

15. BBQ Chicken Burrito

BBQ Chicken Burrito

Fuel your afternoon with the mouthwatering flavor of a Tex-Mex-style barbecue chicken burrito! Packed with tender white meat chicken, hearty black beans and nutty brown rice, this burrito takes it up a notch with a generous helping of melty, gooey mozzarella cheese that ties every bite together. Topped off with our signature sweet and tangy barbecue sauce and wrapped in a soft, warm wheat flour tortilla, this cheesy, crave-worthy creation is guaranteed to be your new lunchtime obsession—whether you’re at home or out on the ranch!

Dinners

16. Garlic Cheese Flatbread

Garlic Cheese Flatbread

Our whole wheat flatbread is topped with a light, buttery garlic sauce and a sprinkle of cheese. This Italian-style dish is the perfect base for all of your favorite pizza toppings. It has 10 grams of protein and is 250 calories. Serve this Garlic Cheese Flatbread with a mixed green side salad or top it with some non-starchy veggies for more fiber.

17. Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli

Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli

Another one of our favorite cheesy foods, these Toasted Ravioli are as tasty as the kind you order from your favorite Italian bistro, but leaves the guilt at home. Three kinds of cheese—ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella—are tucked into tender pasta with a crispy coating of seasoned bread crumbs. This hearty dinner has nine grams of filling protein for 230 calories.

18. Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese

Craving classic cheesy comfort food? Stock up on our frozen Mac and Cheese dinner! This cheesy dish features elbow macaroni pasta with a velvety, smooth cheddar cheese sauce. It’s sure to be one of your new favorites!

Hungry for more protein? We also serve up gooey mac and cheese with turkey sausage or Salisbury steak!

19. Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza

Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza

This Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza is a customer favorite! That’s because of its savory turkey pepperoni and sausage, Italian tomato sauce and melted cheese on a thick crust. You bake it yourself so it tastes pizzeria style. All that for 260 calories, plus it supplies 15 grams of filling protein. Make this cheesy pepperoni pizza one of your favorites today.

20. Margherita Pizza

Margherita Pizza

This bake-it-yourself pizzeria classic is topped with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, basil and fire-roasted tomatoes. Holding it all up? A crispy whole grain crust. High in protein (22 grams!), our Margherita Pizza supplies four grams of fiber for 230 calories.

21. Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

Artichoke & Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

Cut into this tender, seasoned chicken breast stuffed with artichokes, spinach and a blend of delicious cheeses. It’s 190 calories but has a whopping 17 grams of protein. Our Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast will make you feel like you’re dining at a fancy restaurant.

22. Ravioli Formaggio

Ravioli Formaggio

There’s Romano and ricotta cheese stuffed into our Ravioli Formaggio dinner. The tender pockets of pasta are nestled in a hearty tomato sauce flavored with onion, garlic and a blend of traditional Italian spices. At 290 calories, it has three grams of fiber and 14 grams of protein. Great for vegetarian cheese lovers.

23. Thick Crust Pizza

Thick Crust Pizza

Cheesy pizza on a diet? Yes! There are 230 calories in this tasty Thick Crust Pizza pie, which features a thick, hearty crust and tomato sauce. Of course, we can’t forget the cheese! Grated mozzarella cheese is the star of the show. It contains 10 grams of protein and is ready to enjoy in minutes!

24. Chicken Fettucine Alfredo

Chicken Fettucine Alfredo

When you see the word “Alfredo,” you can expect a dish that pairs the two distinct hard and sharp Italian cheeses, Parmesan and Romano. What you don’t expect is to have cheesy Chicken Fettucine Alfredo dish that’s 220 calories—and that includes the tender pieces of chicken and cheesy pasta. This creamy dish has an awesome 18 grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

25. Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan

Imagine if you could enjoy your favorite comfort food meal made diet-friendly! That’s this cheesy, classic Italian dish, which is 270 calories with 17 grams of protein and six grams of fiber. Stock up on our Chicken Parmesan for delicious dinners all week long! It’s sure to become one of your favorite cheesy foods.

26. Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Succulent roasted chicken breast is filled with a rich, creamy cheese sauce and tender broccoli, then seasoned with a fragrant rosemary blend and baked to golden perfection. This high-protein dish delivers gourmet flavor with minimal effort—each 210-calorie serving packs an impressive 22 grams of protein!

27. Ravioli with Meat Sauce

Ravioli with Meat Sauce

Indulge in tender ravioli packed to the brim with an irresistible blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and romano cheeses, all smothered in a rich, savory meat sauce. It’s the ultimate cheesy Italian comfort food, guilt-free, with a satisfying 14g of protein and no artificial flavors or preservatives!

Snacks

28. White Cheddar Popcorn

White Cheddar Popcorn

Cheesy foods also mean cheesy snacks! Cheese lovers don’t always want their favorite treat in the molten state. This White Cheddar Popcorn is coated with real cheddar cheese and savory spices. One snack bag is 140 calories and very filling, with five grams of protein and three grams of fiber.

29. Cheese Puffs

Cheese Puffs

Another one of our favorite cheesy foods is this delicious (and crunchy) snack. Perfectly portioned at 150 calories so you don’t overdo it, you get a flavorful dose of cheddar cheese with a satisfying crunch in these Cheese Puffs. You also get seven grams of protein.

30. Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

We’re finishing up this list of cheesy menu items with a sweet snack that’s filled with cream cheese frosting! This soft-baked Carrot Cake Cupcake is 130 calories but packs in five grams of protein and three grams of fiber. Satisfy your sweet tooth and your cheese cravings with one delicious dessert.

Explore our full menu today! Browse all our delicious options and stock up now!