KRAFT VELVEETA Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Velveeta is a smooth, creamy, and ultra-meltable pasteurized process cheese product with a signature mild, salty, and savory flavor. Its uniform texture is engineered for perfect, lump-free melting, making it a staple for dips and sauces. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense source of protein and fat, but contains minimal carbohydrates and no fiber.
Calorie split: 22% protein · 13% carbs · 65% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love Velveeta for its unparalleled, foolproof meltability and its nostalgic, comforting flavor that's a cornerstone of classic American party food. It's the reliable, go-to ingredient for creating creamy, crowd-pleasing dishes like queso and mac & cheese with minimal effort.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sodium and saturated fat content, along with being a processed food, makes it a poor choice for low-sodium or heart-healthy diets. To mitigate, pair it with fiber-rich vegetables (like in a dip with peppers and broccoli) and practice strict portion control.
Key benefits
- Melts smoothly and consistently without separating
- Provides a good source of protein per serving
- Long shelf life when refrigerated and unopened
- Adds rich, savory flavor to simple dishes
- Convenient base for quick sauces and dips
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Velveeta was originally introduced in 1928 as a way to use up misshapen cheese curds from the dairy, and its name was trademarked to evoke a sense of velvet-like smoothness.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 45.8 g |
| Energy | 303 kcal |
| Energy | 1268 kj |
| Protein | 16.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 22.0 g |
| Ash | 6.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.1 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 466 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.18 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 863 mg |
| Potassium, K | 335 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1499 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.35 mg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1107 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 14.4 g |
| Cholesterol | 80.0 mg |
FAQ
Is Velveeta real cheese?
No, it's classified as a 'pasteurized process cheese spread' by the FDA. It starts with real cheese but is blended with emulsifiers, oils, and stabilizers to achieve its signature melt and texture.
How should I store an opened package?
Once opened, wrap the unused portion tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It should be used within 2-3 weeks for best quality.
Can I freeze Velveeta?
Freezing is not recommended, as it will significantly alter the texture, making it grainy and crumbly upon thawing, which ruins its smooth melting properties.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.03 kcal/g · 22% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 8.1 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 4.47 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.