Taco Bell is one of the most popular fast food chains in the world, known for its bold flavours, creative twists on Mexican-inspired dishes and, of course, its cheesy, indulgent menu items. But have you ever wondered whether the cheese in your favourite Crunchwrap Supreme or Nachos BellGrande is real cheese or a processed cheese product?
SEE ALSO: How other fast food chains compare in their usage of real cheese →
Many fast food chains use a mix of real cheese and processed cheese products to enhance flavour, improve texture, and reduce costs. But how does Taco Bell’s cheese stack up? Let’s take a deep dive into the types of cheese Taco Bell uses, which menu items contain cheese, and whether it’s a healthy choice.
What kind of cheese does Taco Bell use?
Cheese plays a big role in Taco Bell’s menu, appearing in tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos. The chain primarily uses three types of cheese:
1. Shredded Cheddar
Taco Bell’s shredded Cheddar is a mild, yellow Cheddar that adds a classic cheesy flavour to many of its menu items. Like most pre-shredded cheese, it contains anti-caking agents such as potato starch and cellulose to prevent clumping. This doesn’t affect taste but helps keep the cheese fresh and easy to sprinkle.
2. Three Cheese Blend
This blend combines Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Mozzarella. The mix gives a balanced flavour with the mildness of Mozzarella, the slight tanginess of Cheddar and the smooth meltability of Monterey Jack. It’s mainly used in Taco Bell’s quesadillas and specialty burritos.
3. Nacho Cheese Sauce
Unlike the shredded cheeses, Taco Bell’s Nacho Cheese Sauce is a processed cheese product. It’s made with real cheese but is blended with emulsifiers, oils and preservatives to create a smooth, creamy consistency. It’s designed to stay pourable and gooey at warm temperatures, making it perfect for drizzling over nachos and fries.
The shredded Cheddar and Three Cheese Blend are real cheese, but the Nacho Cheese Sauce is not 100% natural cheese—it’s a cheese-flavoured processed product.
Which Taco Bell menu items contain cheese?
Cheese appears in many Taco Bell menu items, whether it’s melted inside a burrito, sprinkled on tacos or served as a dipping sauce. Here’s a breakdown of which items use shredded cheese and which ones rely on nacho cheese sauce.
Shredded Cheddar or Three Cheese Blend
- Crunchwrap Supreme – A grilled tortilla wrap with beef, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and shredded Cheddar.
- Cheesy Gordita Crunch – A soft flatbread with a crunchy taco shell inside, beef, lettuce and shredded Cheddar.
- Quesadillas – The Chicken and Steak Quesadillas contain the Three Cheese Blend for extra meltiness.
- Grilled Cheese Burrito – This burrito features melted cheese inside and a crispy, grilled cheese layer on the outside.
- Soft and Crunchy Tacos (with cheese) – The standard tacos at Taco Bell include shredded Cheddar.
- Beefy 5-Layer Burrito – This burrito combines beans, beef, sour cream, nacho cheese sauce and shredded Cheddar.
- Enchirito – A smothered burrito with enchilada sauce and shredded Cheddar.
- Mexican Pizza – Features a crispy tortilla base layered with refried beans, seasoned beef, tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Nacho Cheese Sauce (processed cheese product)
- Nachos BellGrande – Classic nachos with beef, beans, tomatoes and nacho cheese sauce.
- Nacho Fries – Taco Bell’s seasoned fries served with a side of nacho cheese sauce.
- Queso Dipping Sauce (served with quesadillas) – A cheese dip that pairs with Taco Bell’s quesadillas.
- Beefy Melt Burrito – A burrito filled with beef, rice, sour cream and nacho cheese sauce.
- Loaded Nacho Taco – A soft taco filled with beef, tortilla strips, lettuce and nacho cheese sauce.
If you prefer real cheese, stick to menu items that use shredded Cheddar or the Three Cheese Blend rather than those that rely on nacho cheese sauce.
Is Taco Bell’s cheese healthy?
Fast food cheese is often high in fat, sodium, and additives, but how does Taco Bell’s cheese compare? Let’s break down the nutritional value of its shredded cheeses versus its processed nacho cheese sauce.
Shredded Cheddar and Three Cheese Blend (Real Cheese)
Since Taco Bell’s shredded cheese is real cheese, it contains protein and calcium but is also high in saturated fat and sodium. A typical serving of shredded Cheddar (about 1 oz or 28 g) contains:
- Calories: ~110
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 9g (6g saturated)
- Sodium: ~180mg
While real cheese offers nutritional benefits, consuming too much can contribute to high sodium and fat intake.
Nacho Cheese Sauce (Processed Cheese Product)
The nacho cheese sauce is not purely real cheese. It contains additives such as maltodextrin, modified food starch, and vegetable oil to maintain its texture and shelf life. A typical serving (about 1 oz or 28 g) contains:
- Calories: ~60
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 4g (2g saturated)
- Sodium: ~270mg
The processed cheese sauce is lower in protein and higher in sodium compared to shredded cheese. It’s designed for texture and shelf stability rather than nutritional value.
How does Taco Bell’s cheese compare to homemade cheese?
Real cheese made at home or bought from a quality cheesemonger will have fewer additives and a simpler ingredient list. Taco Bell’s shredded cheese is close to real cheese but still contains anti-caking agents, while the nacho cheese sauce is a processed product designed for fast food convenience.
Final verdict: real cheese or processed cheese?
Taco Bell uses a mix of real cheese and processed cheese products. If you want a more natural cheese experience, go for menu items that contain shredded Cheddar or the Three Cheese Blend. If you’re okay with a processed cheese product that prioritises texture and meltability, then the Nacho Cheese Sauce can still be a tasty option.
Pros of Taco Bell’s real shredded cheese
- ✔️ Contains protein and calcium
- ✔️ Made from real cheese with minimal processing
- ✔️ Provides a more authentic cheese flavour
Cons of Taco Bell’s nacho cheese sauce
- ❌ Contains emulsifiers and preservatives
- ❌ Higher in sodium
- ❌ Lower in protein compared to real cheese
If you’re looking for a healthier option at Taco Bell, try customising your order to include only shredded cheese instead of nacho cheese sauce.
Conclusion
For cheese lovers, knowing whether fast food cheese is real or processed matters. Taco Bell’s shredded cheese is real, but its nacho cheese sauce is a processed cheese product with added ingredients to improve texture and shelf life.
If you’re a fan of real cheese, opt for items with shredded Cheddar or the Three Cheese Blend. If you enjoy the creamy, artificial cheesiness of nacho cheese sauce, go ahead and indulge—but be aware that it’s not the same as real cheese.
Want to learn more about cheese in fast food? Check out our other deep dives into McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Domino’s cheese choices! Let us know in the comments—do you prefer real shredded cheese or the classic fast food nacho cheese sauce?
Cheese lover. Scientist. Created a website and a Youtube channel about cheese science because he could not find answers to his questions online.
