Lower Sodium Cheese Spread
I might have a cheese problem, and I'm perfectly okay admitting it. I love a good charcuterie board, and I've been known to joke that I should never be left unsupervised in the grocery store's cheese section.
It was a little heartbreaking to discover just how much sodium hides in so many cheeses. Even a single slice on a sandwich or a handful of shredded cheese can make staying within a daily sodium goal much more difficult. Naturally, I took that as a challenge.
That's when I discovered an unexpected hero: mascarpone cheese.
Trader Joe's mascarpone contains just 5 mg of sodium per two tablespoons, yet it's rich, creamy, and incredibly versatile. It became the foundation for this homemade cheese spread, delivering the familiar texture I was looking for while using far less of the higher-sodium cheeses that provide the cheddar flavor.
The result is a mild cheddar cheese spread that's delicious with lower sodium crackers for a satisfying snack that's well under 100 mg of sodium.
Low Sodium Cheese Spread
Yield: 8 oz.
Serving size: 2 Tbsp (8 servings per batch)
Per serving (calculated with MyFitnessPal):
Calories: 128
Fat: 14.6 g
Sodium: 35 mg
Total Carbs: 0 g
Sugar: 0 g
Protein: 2.4 g
Ingredients
(1) 8 oz tub Trader Joe’s Mascarpone Cheese
3 tsp Savory Spice Shop’s Cheddar Cheese Powder (just 65 mg sodium per tsp!)
Directions:
Let the mascarpone sit out on the counter for 20-30 minutes to soften slightly.
Add the cheese to a medium-sized mixing bowl, then mix with electric beaters on medium speed for about 20 seconds. Whipping the mascarpone makes it easier to incorporate the cheese powder.
Add the cheese powder and mix again on medium speed until the powder is evenly distributed. Be careful not to overbeat as the cream in the mascarpone will start to stiffen, and then you’ll have a mess on your hands with the beaters (I may be speaking from experience).
Add any additional ingredients (see Variations below), mixing thoroughly. Scrape the cheese mixture into a small serving bowl.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Variations:
Add a tiny pinch of garlic powder and a dash of ground dry mustard to mimic that classic “pub cheese” flavor profile.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika and some drained, minced pimento peppers for a pimento cheese twist.
Omit the cheddar powder entirely and add a pinch of garlic along with parsley and chives for a low-sodium take on Boursin.
Serving suggestions:
Pair with your favorite veggies or low sodium crackers.
Notes:
If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, any other brand of mascarpone will do. Just recalculate the nutrition if it has more sodium.
The estimated nutrition above may change if the manufacturer alters the product or you use different ingredient brands.