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Happy Memorial Day, friends! I hope you are celebrating and enjoying the weather if it’s nice where you are, and let’s take some time to thank those who have fought for our country.

I’ve talked before about gravitating towards eating more plant based foods, and in doing so, nutritional yeast is one ingredient I’ve come to pretty much throw on everything. I’m excited to share this recipe roundup with you to give you ideas for the myriad of ways you can use our friend, nutritional yeast, in your kitchen. Here are 15 Meatless Monday food ideas to spark some creativity. I’m linking up with Deborah and Sarah. Make sure to check out all of their other meatless monday creations!

Nutritional yeast is an ingredient I’ve only become familiar with over the past few years. You may be freaked out by the idea of using “yeast,” but it’s a great topping and packs a nutritional punch. It’s not the same type of yeast you would use in baking or brewing – it is inactive and doesn’t foam. Therefore, it won’t cause dough or bread to ferment or rise.

Health Benefits: 

Nutritional yeast is a major go-to for those who follow the vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. It provides a savory, umami, cheesy flavor, it’s vegan and gluten-free, and it’s chock full of B vitamins, zinc and protein. With just just two tablespoons, you get 6 grams of protein (for 40 calories) and your daily allotment of B1, B2 and B6, and nearly have of your B12 recommendations. Considering B12 is typically found in animal foods only, nutritional yeast is a very important nutrient option for those following vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

It’s very versatile in that you can add it to dips, salads, soups, spreads, cereals, bowls, sandwiches, smoothies, popcorn, etc.

Where Can You Find It?

You can find it in the bulk bins of your local health food store, or I typically order mine off of Amazon. I love Bragg’s and use it all the time. 

While nutritional yeast is a great substitute for parmesan cheese or when you’re looking for the cheese flavor, there are also many other ways you can incorporate it. Hopefully, these recipe ideas can help spark some creativity or help you try to incorporate it more. 

First, let’s talk apps and snacks:

We all love hummus and dips. Dips are good for any gathering, or large group meeting. You could throw it in this chili cheese dip (via Little Bits Of). 

Or, if you’re really looking to use it from “scratch”, you can use it to bake your own grain-free crackers (Via Simply Nourished)

Have you considered a healthier twist on onion rings with a miso gravy sauce? (Via My Little Tablespoon)

You can even use it in dressings atop your yummy salad creations, like this apple cider vinegar dressing (Via Fermented Food Lab)

Looking for a side to go with your zoodles? Consider dressing up your cauliflower with these vegan parmesan cauliflower florets (Via Emilie Eats). 

If you’re in a snacking mood, save the salt, and get your nutrients through sprinkling some nutritional yeast on your next batch of popcorn (Via The Healthful Ideas)

Let’s brainstorm some entrees and main meals.

You can make a mouth-watering creamy, cheesy vegan sauce to go over pasta or zoodles (via Chronicles of Passion).

Speaking of creamy and cheesy, how about in a healthy broccoli and quinoa mac ‘n cheese? (Via Simply Quinoa)

Or, you could throw some on your baked zucchini rolls as a nutrient-rich topping (Via A Whisk and Two Wands)

Or,  in your next soup, like this veggie and cheese soup (Via Oh She Glows)

The possibilities are endless for pizza toppings, but I can’t wait to try this butternut squash and sage pizza with a cheesy white sauce (Via Recipe Renovator)

And this vegan thai naan pizza has me drooling. (Via Fit Mitten Kitchen)

But, don’ Forget About the Sweet Options Using Nutritional Yeast!

I bet you didn’t know you could use nutritional yeast in french toast?! Pump up those nutrients (Via Live Eat Learn)

You can even use nutritional yeast in your chocolate creations, like in these no bake chocolate chip peanut butter cups (Via Running on Real Food). 

Think out of the box and surprise your friends at the next gathering with this strawberry cheesecake. I bet they wouldn’t even know there was nutritional yeast in it! (Via A Clean Diet)

[Tweet “15 Delicious Recipes Using #NutritionalYeast, chock full of #protein, #fiber and B vitamins!”]

Personally, I throw nutritional yeast on everything, but now I have a bucket list of recipes to try!

What’s your favorite use for nutritional yeast?