How Many Calories in Mascarpone? Nutrition Facts & Macros
A serving of mascarpone (28 g) has 120 calories
Protein 1g · Carbs 1g · Fat 12g
Mascarpone is an Italian fresh cream cheese with an ultra-rich, velvety texture, best known as the base of tiramisu. At 429 kcal per 100 g, it is one of the most calorie-dense dairy products due to its very high fat content (42.86 g). It has minimal protein (3.57 g) and low carbs (3.57 g), making it a fat-dominant food. Mascarpone is about 47% water, giving it that characteristic smooth, spreadable consistency.
1795 kJ · per 100g · Water: 47 g
Calorie Calculator: Mascarpone
28 g Mascarpone contains 120 kcal
Calories by Portion Size
| Portion | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (28 g) | 120 kcal | 1g | 1g | 12g |
| 1/4 cup (57 g) | 245 kcal | 2g | 2g | 24.4g |
| 100 grams | 429 kcal | 3.6g | 3.6g | 42.9g |
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Mascarpone — Nutrition Facts
| Mascarpone | per 100g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 429 kcal |
| Protein | 3.57 g |
| Fat | 42.86 g |
| Carbs | 3.57 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 3.57 g |
| Sodium | 54 mg |
| Potassium | 0 mg |
| Magnesium | 0 mg |
| Phosphorus | 0 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0 mg |
| Folate | 0 mcg |
| Manganese | 0 mg |
| Water | 47 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC ID: 2289625) · Data verified April 2026
Variations
Mascarpone (plain)
429 calories per 100 g. Italian fresh cream cheese with ultra-rich, velvety texture. Very high fat (42.86 g), minimal protein (3.57 g), low carbs (3.57 g). Best known as the base of tiramisu. Low sodium (54 mg) compared to most cheeses.
Mascarpone (light / reduced-fat)
About 250-300 calories per 100 g — ~30-40% less than regular mascarpone. Made with a blend of cream and milk instead of pure cream. Lower fat (20-28 g) but slightly more carbs. Texture is less rich and silky. A reasonable compromise for calorie-conscious cooking. Not widely available in all markets.
Mascarpone in tiramisu
About 280-350 calories per 100 g of tiramisu — varies by recipe. Traditional tiramisu combines mascarpone with eggs, sugar, espresso, and ladyfinger biscuits. The added sugar and biscuits significantly increase carbs (25-35 g per 100 g). Not keto-friendly as a dish, though the mascarpone component itself is. A typical portion (120 g) has 340-420 calories.
Dietary Perspectives
For Weight Loss
At 429 kcal per 100 g, mascarpone is very calorie-dense — even one tablespoon (28 g) has 120 calories, almost entirely from fat. For weight loss, use it sparingly as a flavor accent rather than a base ingredient. Ricotta (150 kcal per 100 g) is a much lighter Italian cheese with more protein (7.54 g). If a recipe calls for mascarpone, consider mixing half with Greek yogurt to cut calories while keeping some of the creaminess.
For Athletic Performance
Mascarpone is fat-dominant with very little protein (3.57 g per 100 g) — not an efficient protein source for athletes. A tablespoon (28 g) provides 120 calories but only 1.0 g of protein. For post-workout recovery, ricotta (7.54 g protein per 100 g) or cottage cheese (11 g per 100 g) are far better choices. Mascarpone can be useful for athletes needing to increase calorie intake, such as during bulking phases, mixed into smoothies or oatmeal for easy extra calories.
For Keto
Very keto-friendly — only 3.57 g net carbs per 100 g, meaning one tablespoon (28 g) adds just 1.0 g of carbs. The extremely high fat (42.86 g per 100 g) makes mascarpone ideal for meeting keto fat targets. Use it in keto tiramisu (with almond flour and erythritol), as a rich coffee creamer, in keto cheesecakes, or whipped with cocoa as a fat bomb dessert. Lower in sodium (54 mg) than most cheeses, so it does not add excessive salt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in mascarpone?
One tablespoon (28 g) of mascarpone contains approximately 120 calories. Per 100 g, mascarpone has 429 calories (1795 kJ). Nearly all calories come from fat (42.86 g per 100 g), with minimal protein (3.57 g) and low carbs (3.57 g). It is significantly more calorie-dense than cream cheese (350 kcal) or ricotta (150 kcal).
Is mascarpone healthy?
Mascarpone is very high in fat (42.86 g per 100 g) with significant saturated fat (30.36 g). It provides some calcium (143 mg) but little protein (3.57 g) compared to other cheeses. Cholesterol is high at 125 mg per 100 g. It is best enjoyed in moderation as a rich ingredient rather than a primary protein source. The low sodium (54 mg) is a positive compared to most cheeses.
How many carbs are in mascarpone?
Mascarpone has 3.57 g of carbs per 100 g, which translates to about 1.0 g per tablespoon (28 g). This is lower than cream cheese (5.52 g per 100 g) but higher than brie (0.45 g). The carbs come from the residual lactose in the cream. For a keto diet, one tablespoon adds only 1 g of net carbs.
Is mascarpone good for weight loss?
Mascarpone is very calorie-dense at 429 kcal per 100 g, making it challenging for weight loss. Even one tablespoon (28 g) has 120 calories — mostly from fat. If you enjoy it, use small amounts as a flavor accent. Ricotta (150 kcal per 100 g) is a much lighter Italian cheese alternative with more protein (7.54 g) and fewer calories.
Is mascarpone keto-friendly?
Yes — mascarpone is very keto-friendly. With only 3.57 g of carbs per 100 g, one tablespoon (28 g) has just 1.0 g of net carbs. The extremely high fat content (42.86 g per 100 g) makes it ideal for hitting keto fat targets. Use it in keto desserts, sauces, or as a rich coffee creamer. It is one of the best high-fat, low-carb dairy options.
Mascarpone vs cream cheese — what's the difference?
Mascarpone has more calories (429 vs 350 kcal) and significantly more fat (42.86 g vs 34.44 g) than cream cheese. Cream cheese has more protein (6.15 g vs 3.57 g) and slightly more carbs (5.52 g vs 3.57 g). Mascarpone is smoother and richer, used mainly in Italian desserts like tiramisu. Cream cheese has a tangier flavor and is more versatile for cooking and spreading.
Compare with Similar Foods
| Portion | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mascarpone | 429 | 3.57g | 3.57g | 42.86g |
| Cream Cheese | 350 | 6.15g | 5.52g | 34.44g |
| Ricotta | 150 | 7.54g | 7.27g | 10.16g |
| Brie | 334 | 20.75g | 0.45g | 27.68g |
| Heavy Cream | 340 | 2.84g | 2.84g | 36.08g |
per 100g
Per 100 g, mascarpone has 429 kcal — significantly more than cream cheese (350 kcal), brie (334 kcal), and heavy cream (340 kcal). The very high fat (42.86 g) and low protein (3.57 g) make it the most fat-dominant of these dairy products. With 3.57 g carbs, it has fewer carbs than cream cheese (5.52 g) but more than brie (0.45 g).
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