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.
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.
15 Recipes for Bragg’s Nutritional Yeast
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)
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.
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)
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?
Very interesting- I have never used nutritional yeast but all these recipes look so good and it sounds really good for you! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you like them! It’s like a super ingredient 🙂
Every time I re-read about the nutritional elements of nutritional yeast I am blown away. How can such a little quantity, of such a humble little topping, give you SO much vitamin B12? And everything else it has. Its truly a magical ingredient.
I’ve been all about NY in my sauces and casseroles, but I’ve never ventured into dessert territory! Holy moly! Pinning this entire thing. I need to try those chocolate pb bars stat.
I haven’t ventured into desserts either but I’m so intrigued and will be making those PB cups this week! NY is truly a magical thing.
Yum! I love nutritional yeast and use it mostly for dips and cheese sauce. Cheese fries are my favorite!
It does such a good job of cheesin’ things up!
I just recently bought some nutritional yeast so this is super helpful on how to use it. So far I’ve just been throwing it in with scrambled eggs but I just need to start throwing it on everything.
Ah perfect! It really is so versatile- I try to throw it on everything for the extra nutrients!
So many delicious creations, I can’t wait to try some especially the desserts! Thank you for including my Zucchini Rolls.
They look so good. I can’t wait to try them!
Thanks so much for including me!! These all look so yummy!! 🙂
I can’t wait to try them all!
Thanks for including my pizza! By the way, I have an MPH too. 🙂
Your pizza looks amazing! My next pizza night! Cheers to the MPH 🙂
ooh those zucchini rolls look good! I don’t use my nutritional yeast enough. Thanks for linking up today
I don’t either but I’m reminded of the many ways to use it. Hope you had a great weekend!
Anutritional yeast is now on my shopping list!
Yay! You can check your local health foods store or Amazon has it too!
Those cheese crackers look like a must try! I haven’t used nutritional yeast in a long time, but I realize that I am missing out. I may have to try the brand you recommended as I found the one I would buy a little too strong.
Oh yeah, maybe it was just the brand? I don’t find the flavor too strong or overpowering, which makes it easy to add to everything!
I feel like I need to try every single one of these recipes! I have a big ol’ bag of nutritional yeast in my pantry that is just waiting for these! 😛
Wonderful. My bucket list of NY recipes is now pretty long 🙂
lovely roundup! i need restock on nutritional yeast, thanks for the reminder.
Thanks, Dixya!
GREAT round up. I haven’t used nutritional yeast in too many recipes, but I’ve loved adding it to pestos instead of parm!
Yum! Yes it’s the perfect parm replacement 🙂
SO many fun ideas! I love nutritional yeast on everything. I gotta try that french toast! I like to add a bit to my protein smoothies too. It just adds a bit of depth and it’s so good for you.
Definitely. I’ve made energy balls with it to get that “cheesecake” flavor!
I would have NEVER thought to use nutritional yeast in a sweet recipe- love it!
Yay for nutritional yeast! All of these recipes look so good! :] I’m going to have to find a place that sells it in the place where I’m moving to! :O
I like nutritional yeast mixed in my V-8 drink.