January 23, 2019

21 Ways to Use Nutritional Yeast

A vegan favorite that everyone should have

By now you've probably heard of nutritional yeast, or "nooch" as it's known by superfans. These bright yellow flakes are inactive, which means they won't make bread rise. And you don't have to cook it to enjoy nutritional yeast—you can add it to your food straight from the container and dig right in. It's famous for a distinctive cheesy flavor, but it's entirely dairy-free. Basically, it's the secret behind all those "cheesy" vegan recipes you've seen floating around.

Even if you're not dairy-free or vegan, nutritional yeast is worth keeping in your pantry because it tastes good in just about anything. It can add a much-needed umami boost to whatever you're eating, whether that's granola or popcorn. (In case you don't know, umami is that savory fifth taste found in mushrooms and cheese, and it will make your food taste amazing.) Plus, as its name indicates, the ingredient is packed with nutrients. One quarter-cup serving contains 8 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and B vitamins.

If you're not sure how to get started with nutritional yeast, let these 21 recipes show you all that it's capable of. Many are vegan and dairy-free, if that's something you're interested in, but they're worth trying even if you're not, because they're totally freakin' delicious.

https://www.theroastedroot.net
1
"Cheesy" Vegan Roasted Cauliflower from The Roasted Root
Cauliflower is one of the many roasted vegetables nutritional yeast tastes great on. Feel free to sub whatever vegetable you prefer—broccoli, asparagus, and carrots are just a few excellent options. Get the recipe here.
https://www.loveandlemons.com/
2
Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese from Love and Lemons
Along with nutritional yeast, creamy, homemade cashew cream gives this recipe the ooey, gooey mac-and-cheese flavor you know and love. Get the recipe here.
https://minimalistbaker.com
3
Vegan Omelet from Minimalist Baker
Silken tofu gives this vegan omelet a texture that's remarkably similar to actual eggs. And with a bit of nutritional yeast, you'd never guess it wasn't the real deal. Get the recipe here.

https://www.acouplecooks.com
4
Vegan Queso Dip from A Couple Cooks
This dairy-free queso is just as cheesy and decadent as the OG version, and it tastes great with chips, veggies, and crackers. Get the recipe here.
https://minimalistbaker.com/
5
Vegan Mashed Potatoes from Minimalist Baker
Everyone knows mashed potatoes taste better with fixings, namely cheese, cream, and butter. Nutritional yeast will give your taters the same kick without the dairy. Get the recipe here.
https://www.budgetbytes.com
6
Cheesy Broccoli Rice from Budget Bytes
This rice and broccoli bowl has all the flavors of the traditional casserole, but it's easy to throw together in the pinch. Get the recipe here.
https://minimalistbaker.com
7
Vegan Cheddar Jalape?o Biscuits from Minimalist Baker
Fluffy, cheesy, and just a bit spicy, these biscuits are great whether you're eating them with a meal or enjoying them on their own. Get the recipe here.

http://dishingupthedirt.com
8
Brussels Sprouts and Sausage Quiche from Dishing up the Dirt
This recipe is one of the few non-vegan, dairy-filled out there that uses nutritional yeast, and it proves that the ingredient deserves a place in any kind of food. Get the recipe here.
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/
9
Nooch Popcorn from Gimme Some Oven
When in doubt, sprinkle some nutritional yeast on your popcorn—you won't regret it. Get the recipe here.
https://www.bakerita.com/
10
Spinach Basil Pesto from Bakerita
Bakerita keeps this pesto vegan by swapping the Parmesan for a bit of nutritional yeast, and the results are fantastic. Get the recipe here.
https://ohsheglows.com
11
7-Vegetable and Cheese Soup from Oh She Glows
With onions, carrots, squash, broccoli, celery, sweet potato, and garlic, this soup has no shortage of vegetables. Get the recipe here.

https://www.howsweeteats.com
12
Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix from How Sweet Eats
Though it may seem odd to put nutritional yeast in granola, the ingredient adds a boost of umami that the recipe otherwise wouldn't have. Get the recipe here.
https://www.cottercrunch.com
13
Creamy Fennel Roasted Cauliflower Soup from Cotter Crunch
All it takes is a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast to give this soup a luxurious, creamy flavor. Get the recipe here.
http://dishingupthedirt.com
14
Almond Herb-Crusted Acorn Squash With Sriracha Cashew Aioli from Dishing up the Dirt
You're only supposed to add nutritional yeast to the aioli in this recipe, but it couldn't hurt to sprinkle a bit on the almond herb-crusted acorn squash, too. Get the recipe here.
https://www.primaverakitchen.com
15
Pesto Spaghetti Squash With Shrimp from Primavera Kitchen
For a scampi-style pasta dinner that's totally dairy-free, this recipe has you covered. Get the recipe here.

https://naturallyella.com/
16
Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls from Naturally Ella
Naturally Ella uses a bit of nutritional yeast in this recipe to give this ricotta-stuffed lasagna an even cheesier flavor. Get the recipe here.
https://www.blissfulbasil.com/
17
Walnut, Sage, and Cranberry Stuffed Mushrooms from Blissful Basil
These stuffed mushrooms are the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and earthy, thanks to cranberries, nutritional yeast, and walnuts, and sage. Get the recipe here.
https://veganhuggs.com/
18
Tofu Scramble from Vegan Huggs
In this recipe you'll want to use extra-firm tofu to guarantee your final dish has a texture similar to actual eggs. Get the recipe here.
https://www.loveandlemons.com
19
Vegan French Toast from Love and Lemons
You may not realize it, but French toast would be nothing without the umami flavor that eggs normally give it. This vegan rendition uses a bit of nutritional yeast to compensate for what's missing. Get the recipe here.

https://www.bonappetit.com
20
Vegan Caesar Salad from Bon Appétit
This Caesar salad is so impressive, you'd honestly never guess it was vegan. Get the recipe here.
https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/
21
Alfredo Ziti With Broccoli from Ambitious Kitchen
Instead of Parmesan, finish this pasta with a healthy sprinkle of nutritional yeast. Get the recipe here.

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Topicsnutritional yeast recipe

"Cheesy" Vegan Roasted Cauliflower from The Roasted Root

Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese from Love and Lemons

Vegan Omelet from Minimalist Baker

Vegan Queso Dip from A Couple Cooks

Vegan Mashed Potatoes from Minimalist Baker

Cheesy Broccoli Rice from Budget Bytes

Vegan Cheddar Jalape?o Biscuits from Minimalist Baker

Brussels Sprouts and Sausage Quiche from Dishing up the Dirt

Nooch Popcorn from Gimme Some Oven

Spinach Basil Pesto from Bakerita

7-Vegetable and Cheese Soup from Oh She Glows

Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix from How Sweet Eats

Creamy Fennel Roasted Cauliflower Soup from Cotter Crunch

Almond Herb-Crusted Acorn Squash With Sriracha Cashew Aioli from Dishing up the Dirt

Pesto Spaghetti Squash With Shrimp from Primavera Kitchen

Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls from Naturally Ella

Walnut, Sage, and Cranberry Stuffed Mushrooms from Blissful Basil

Tofu Scramble from Vegan Huggs

Vegan French Toast from Love and Lemons

Vegan Caesar Salad from Bon Appétit

Alfredo Ziti With Broccoli from Ambitious Kitchen