Head-to-head comparison

Parmesan Cheese vs Cottage Cheese (low-fat): Which Has More Protein?

On paper, Parmesan Cheese and Cottage Cheese (low-fat) solve a similar problem — protein intake — but they get there differently enough to be worth a direct look.

Parmesan Cheese

35.8gprotein / 100g

392 cal · 25.8g fat · $$$ · Quality 0.92

Cottage Cheese (low-fat)

11.1gprotein / 100g

72 cal · 2.3g fat · $ · Quality 0.95

This isn't close. Parmesan Cheese packs 35.8g of protein per 100g against Cottage Cheese (low-fat)'s 11.1g — a 24.7g gap driven mostly by how concentrated or diluted each food naturally is.

Neither has a meaningful edge on protein quality; they're close enough on amino acid profile that it isn't a differentiator here.

Cottage Cheese (low-fat) is the more budget-friendly pick ($ vs $$$ for Parmesan Cheese), worth weighing if cost matters more than the other differences here.

Parmesan Cheese's typical serving also delivers more leucine (3300mg vs Cottage Cheese (low-fat)'s 1100mg) — relevant if the goal is maximizing the muscle-protein-synthesis trigger per meal, not just total grams.

Verdict

If raw protein density is what you're optimizing for, Parmesan Cheese wins clearly. Choose Cottage Cheese (low-fat) instead if its lower fat, cost, or prep time matters more to you than the extra grams.

Full nutrition comparison

Per 100gParmesan CheeseCottage Cheese (low-fat)
Protein35.8g11.1g
Calories39272
Fat25.8g2.3g
Carbs3.2g3.4g
Fiber0.0g0.0g
Quality score0.920.95
Relative cost$$$$
Prep time0 min0 min

Frequently asked

Which has more protein, parmesan cheese or cottage cheese (low-fat)?

Parmesan Cheese has 35.8g of protein per 100g compared to Cottage Cheese (low-fat)'s 11.1g.

Which is lower in calories?

Cottage Cheese (low-fat) is lower in calories per 100g, at 72 vs the other's 392.