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Cheese Lover? 30 Cheesy Foods to Add to Your Menu
Article posted in: Nutrisystem
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 to 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:
1. 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. Cheddar and Plant-Based Bacon Womelet >
This cheesy womelet is a golden, crunchy waffle made from our special egg batter. Our Cheddar and Plant-Based Bacon Womelet is a hearty and satisfying breakfast that’s filled with flavorful cheddar and plant-based bacon.
3. 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!
4. 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 >
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. Café-Style Broccoli Cheddar Soup >
Grab a spoon and dig into this cheesy bowl of goodness! Thick and creamy, this Café-Style Broccoli Cheddar Soup has all the feel-good flavor of a bowl from your favorite bread café—with none of the guilt! It features a blend of cheddar cheese, broccoli and carrots for a deliciously simple lunch.
7. Four Cheese Melt >
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. Jalapeno And White Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Stick >
Are you a fan of jalapeno poppers? With all the flavor of your favorite appetizer tucked into tender chicken, this is a powerhouse lunch that provides 17 grams of protein. Our Jalapeno And White Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Stick is sure to keep you satisfied!
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Four Cheese Manicotti >
This Italian-inspired dinner is a decadent as it sounds. Tender pasta is filled with ricotta, parmesan and romano cheeses and covered in a tangy tomato and red bell pepper sauce. We top it all off with melty mozzarella. There’s a whopping 14 grams of protein in this Four Cheese Manicotti.
16. Bacon and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Stick >
This hearty chicken stick delivers your favorite flavors in one tasty lunch. Stuffed inside tender chicken and a parmesan cheese coating, you’ll find a delicious duo of real bacon and cheddar cheese. For 200 calories, you also get a whopping 18 grams of protein.
17. 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!
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. Artichoke and 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.
21. 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.
22. 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!
23. 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.
24. BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese >
Mac and cheese gets an extra boost with tasty hunks of flame-grilled white meat chicken in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. We also top it with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce for a hearty country-style meal. No guilt though: Our BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is 250 calories and has 20 grams of protein.
25. Chicken Bianca Pizza >
This Chicken Bianca Pizza starts with a crisp, whole-wheat crust and a light cream sauce. It’s topped with fresh mozzarella and sharp asiago cheeses, ripe cherry tomatoes, spinach and white-meat chicken. We finish it with a dash of garlic and basil for a gourmet-style pie.
26. Caramelized Onion, Mushroom And Turkey Sausage Pizza >
Instead of ordering an ordinary pizza, you can whip up this Caramelized Onion, Mushroom And Turkey Sausage Pizza in minutes. It’s got caramelized onions and mushrooms, plus protein-packed zesty turkey sausage. It’s all on a base of savory herbs, gooey mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce.
27. 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.
28. 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 >
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 >
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.
Ready to check out our full menu? View all of our delicious foods here >
Looking to make your own delicious dish? Try some of our cheesiest recipes below:
