23 Tasty Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (2024)

Nutritional yeast is a beloved flavor booster among plant-based eaters. Also known as "nooch," this gold-hued dust has a rich, fermented, "cheesy" flavor, that, when blended with ingredients such as nuts, beans, and cooked starchy vegetables, perfectly mimics a creamy, cheese sauce. Whether you're a nutritional yeast-newbie or a fan from way back, these 23 hand-picked recipes showcase its ability to enhance savory flavor in a variety of dishes. All the recipes are plant-based and oil-free, which means they're deliciously healthy too!

Want to know more about nutritional yeast? Check out ourbeginner's guide.

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

In this vegan take on a comfort food classic, a hearty dose of nutritional yeast blended with plant milk, garlic, and boiled sweet potato makes a velvety sauce with cheesy flavor. Don't be surprised if this one creeps into your weekly rotation! One reader notes: "Made many times and [it] will continue to be a staple." Check out more Healthy, Delicious, Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes here.

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Crispy Potato Vegan Cheese Sticks

This healthy vegan take on fried cheese sticks uses blended potato and nutritional yeast to recreate a mozzarella-like interior; nooch is also used to season the crispy coating. Prepare to be amazed, or as one fan puts it, "These are stupid good." Note: This recipe calls for the cheesy-potato filling to be frozen overnight before baking, so be sure to allow time for this.

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Faux Parmesan

Chef AJ’s dairy-free Parmesan is so darn good you’ll find yourself adding it to everything from stews to veggie bakes, salads, and even air-popped popcorn. Made with nutritional yeast and raw nuts, this must-have condiment is also free of added salt. Make plenty and store in the fridge in an airtight container so it's ready to bring out at mealtimes.

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New American Veggie Cheeseburgers

These sublime, open-faced vegan cheeseburgers are a testament to how far WFPB cooking has come. Featuring tender, beautifully seasoned quinoa-veggie patties drizzled with a mouthwatering potato "cheese" sauce and a tangy red onion and bell pepper medley, they are a culinary triumph. Note: These burgers take some time to prepare and are better suited to nights when you're not scrambling to get dinner on the table.

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Homemade Vegan Pesto

Homemade basil pesto is affordable, convenient, and just as good as store-bought. Nutritional yeast and cashews sub in for Parmesan cheese while the usual tricksters, garlic and lemon juice, give pep and body. Add a dollop to pastas, salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, orpizza, and instantly create a cafe-quality meal. Pro tip: Make plenty and use for multiple meals; it'll keep for a few days in the fridge.

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Loaded Potato Skins

Sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and nutritional yeast add tangy cheese flavor to these twice-baked potatoes. Garnished with scallions and a simple lime-tahini dressing, they're fancy enough to serve to guests and are kid-friendly as well. Note: This recipe takes 90 minutes to make, but that's mostly passive potato baking time.

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Cheesy Vegan Veggie Pizzette

When you start eating a healthy plant-based diet it's natural to wonder how you'll eat pizza again. What about the cheese?! But then you discover recipes like these easy pita pizzas, which are topped with a nut-free, vegan cheese spread made from blending nutritional yeast with white beans. Insert sigh of relief! Our Air Fryer Mini Pizzas also get their cheesy flavor from a nooch-infused white bean spread.

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Polenta Pizza Pie

A dusting of nutritional yeast over this rustic, gluten-free pizza adds a cheesy layer of flavor to the herb-scented tomato sauce and fork-tender veggies.

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Herb-Crusted Asparagus Spears

Looking for a fabulous appetizer to impress both vegans and non-vegans? Enter: asparagus spears coated with a mix of hemp seeds, nutritional yeast, garlic, and breadcrumbs. No one will know they're healthy! One reader writes: "We’ve made this recipe numerous times and love it. Don’t forget to drizzle the lemon juice on top because it really adds to it."

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Cheesy Caesar Dressing

Nutritional yeast joins a toothsome lineup of ingredients including chia seeds, capers, lemon juice, kelp granules, and maple syrup to create a full-bodied, oil-free caesar dressing. Pro tip: When eating out, especially when you suspect there will be few vegan options, bring along your own dressing; now you can transform even a basic green salad into a satisfying meal.

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Creamy Cauliflower Bake

This fabulous side dish of baked "cheesy" cauliflower brings back happy memories of veggies bathed in a rich cheese sauce—only this time, it's healthy! Perfect for family supper or festive gatherings, this scrumptious bake also works with broccoli substituted for some, or all, of the cauliflower. One reader remarks, "This was a slam-dunk for me. I loved the creaminess of the sauce and really appreciated how low key the prep was."

Vegan Butternut Squash Lasagna Roll-Ups

For the full, cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth flavor extravaganza that only lasagna can give, these vegan roll-ups really deliver. A herb-infused butternut squash "cheese" sauce, flavored with nutritional yeast, white miso, navy beans, garlic, and tahini, mingles with layers of whole grain lasagna noodles and marinara sauce. One reader writes, "So good! One of my new faves."

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Chickpea Nuggets

A whole-food, plant-based take on chicken nuggets, these crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside bites are perfect for a snack, appetizer, or kids birthday party. With a well-seasoned center made with chickpeas and rice, they taste great dipped into ketchup, barbecue sauce and/or hot sauce. For another delish "cheesy" appetizer, check out theseChickpeazella Sticks.

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White Bean Fettuccine Alfredo with Peas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Fettuccine Alfredo is normally a cream-heavy dish, but this vegan version gets its cheesy richness from blended cannellini beans, nutritional yeast, almond butter, and garlic. "So simple and yummy," notes one reader. For more cheesy vegan pasta dishes, check out our collection of mac and cheese recipesor this yummyGreen Bean Pasta with Cashew Pesto.

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Taco-Spiced Tortilla Chips

In combination with a medley of spices, a touch of nutritional yeast goes a long way to make these oven-baked tortilla chips seriously addictive. Whip up a batch and serve as a side dish or a snack.

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No-Cheese Sauce

In this dairy-free cheese sauce, a whole cup of nutritional yeast is blended with onion, red bell pepper, and cashews (optional) to delicious effect. Add veggies, pasta, or a veggie bake, for a tasty meal the whole family will enjoy. Other delicious nut-free vegan cheese sauces that you can use to brighten up your cooking include: our oat-based Vegan Queso Sauce; or this incredibly versatileCauliflower Béchamel.

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Layered Vegetable Salad

This gorgeous layered veggie salad is so much more than your ordinary salad. Thinly sliced veggie ribbons are layered with a "cheesy" white bean spread, while a seasoned balsamic dressing adds tangy goodness. You'll want to savor every bite. Note: To really let the flavors mingle, chill for at least an hour before serving.

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Mushroom and Green Pea Risotto

The best thing about this fabulous brown rice risotto, aside from the creamy, rustic nooch-enhanced flavor, is you don't need to spend hours at the stove trying not to burn it! Mayim Bialik's scrumptious Winter Vegetable Risotto also features nutritional yeast.

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Vegan Chili Cheese Fries

In this healthy version of a greasy, fast-food classic, chunky potato wedges are topped with a zesty bean chili and a creamy potato sauce. Incredibly satisfying and packed with robust flavors, this hearty whole-food, plant-based dish forever dispels themyth that vegans live on raw lettuce and sprouts!

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Loaded Lentil Nachos

For a 30-minute weeknight meal that consistently knocks it out of the park, serve baked tortilla chips with seasoned lentils, pico de gallo, anda creamy potato-based nacho "cheese." Garnish with scallions and cilantro.

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Creamy Corn Butter

Oil-free and absolutely delicious, there's no need to be sparing with this creamy, golden butter. Corn lends sweetness, nutritional yeast adds a savory note, and agar powder (a seaweed-derived alternative to gelatin) binds it together. Spread on bread, crackers, or slather on ears of piping hot corn. Note: You can use fresh or frozen corn to make the butter.

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Tofu and Veggie Frittata

Perfect for a lazy weekend brunch, this tofu-based veggie frittata has a delightful lightness thanks to the airy qualities of aquafaba (canned chickpea liquid), while a selection of spices and nutritional yeast yield a tantalizing cheesy, egg-like flavor.

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Vegan Cheese Fondue

Sick of serving up the same old appetizers? Gather your guests for some vegan fondue fun—you'll be amazed at the perfectly gooey texture of this veggie-laden "cheese" sauce. Plant-based dippers that work well include: tofu or bread cubes, bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, asparagus, small whole mushrooms, snow pea pods, and pita triangles. Now where is that fondue pot?

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23 Tasty Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (2024)

FAQs

What tastes good with nutritional yeast? ›

Nutritional yeast is a beloved flavor booster among plant-based eaters. Also known as "nooch," this gold-hued dust has a rich, fermented, "cheesy" flavor, that, when blended with ingredients such as nuts, beans, and cooked starchy vegetables, perfectly mimics a creamy, cheese sauce.

Is it OK to eat nutritional yeast every day? ›

Side effects and safety

It's safe to use nutritional yeast in moderation, typically up to several tablespoons (10–30 grams) per day. It would require relatively large amounts of nutritional yeast to exceed the tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for the various vitamins and minerals it contains.

Is there any downside to nutritional yeast? ›

Although nutritional yeast is generally safe for most people, it may cause negative reactions in individuals who are sensitive to it. In large doses, it can cause digestive discomfort or facial flushing due to its high-fiber and niacin content, respectively.

Is nutritional yeast anti inflammatory? ›

Nutritional yeast is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory plant compounds. Every day, our cells work tirelessly to protect themselves against free radicals, molecules that can damage and ultimately destroy the healthy cells in your body.

What is the best way to eat nutritional yeast? ›

How to use
  1. sprinkling it on popcorn instead of butter or salt.
  2. mixing it into risotto instead of Parmesan cheese.
  3. making a vegan alternative to a cheese sauce, such as the one in this recipe.
  4. as an ingredient in a vegan macaroni and cheese dish, such as this one.
  5. stirring it into creamy soups for added nutrients.

Does nutritional yeast need to be refrigerated? ›

Storing nutritional yeast in the fridge increases its shelf-life, but it does not need to be stored in the fridge or freezer to maintain its quality. What is the best way to store nutritional yeast? If stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place, nutritional yeast can keep for up to 2 years.

What are the side effects of too much nutritional yeast? ›

Digestive problems: Nutritional yeast contains a high amount of fiber. Too much nutritional yeast added too quickly to one's diet can cause problems with digestion, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea. A high-fiber diet is good for digestive health.

Is nutritional yeast good for gut health? ›

Nutritional yeast may help alleviate irritable bowel syndrome, which is one of the most common gut disorders in the U.S. A 2015 study found that nutritional yeast consumption significantly reduced abdominal pain and discomfort in people with IBS.

Is nutritional yeast really MSG? ›

Nutritional yeast receives its umami flavor from naturally occurring MSG and there are many misperceptions about the safety of MSG. However, MSG is generally recognized as safe by the FDA and there are many foods that have naturally occurring MSG, such as cheese and tomatoes.

Does nutritional yeast change the color of urine? ›

However, if you overdo it on the nutritional yeast, don't be alarmed if your urine turns neon yellow. Nooch is also filled with riboflavin (vitamin B2) and your body can only absorb so much before you pee the rest out. Originally published on January 3, 2018. Updated on May 28, 2019.

Does nutritional yeast make you gassy? ›

Nutritional yeast is a good source of fiber. When fiber is introduced to your body in large amounts while it's not something you're used to, it may cause some gastrointestinal discomfort like bloating, gas, and cramps. There are also individuals (although rare) who are intolerant or sensitive to yeast.

Is nutritional yeast good for hair growth? ›

When it comes to foods you can include in your diet to achieve strong and healthy hair, nutritional yeast is a strong contender. It offers a rich blend of amino acids and essential B vitamins.

Can nutritional yeast help you lose weight? ›

While the exact calorie count varies by manufacturer, most brands average about 60 calories for two tablespoons, she says. Bottom line: Nutritional yeast definitely has its pound-shedding benefits, Glassman says.

Which is better fortified or unfortified nutritional yeast? ›

Unfortified nutritional yeast does not contain added vitamins or minerals. Rather, it contains the vitamins and minerals that are produced naturally by the yeast cells as they ferment. If you aren't trying to get more vitamins and minerals into your diet, you can opt for this unfortified type of nutritional yeast.

How do you make nutritional yeast palatable? ›

Ways to use nutritional yeast:
  1. as a topping on popcorn.
  2. sprinkle on top of things in place of cheese.
  3. mix into mashed potatoes or scrambled eggs in place of cheese.
  4. add to soups or white sauces to improve flavor (the flavor acts similar to adding bouillon or broth)
  5. use in this recipe for dairy-free buttery spread.

How do you use nutritional yeast in a recipe? ›

Added To Seasoning

Think of nutritional yeast as a grated Parmesan substitute. It's flaky, dry, and packs an umami punch that gives food a savory side. It can be sprinkled on top of pasta, rice and salad, folded into eggs, and stirred into stew.

Can you put nutritional yeast in eggs? ›

Scrambled Eggs

Nutritional yeast is all you need to add a savoury (and healthy) kick to this go-to breakfast. Just whisk in 1 Tbsp with two eggs, 1/4 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp of milk (dairy or plant-based). Cook slowly in a non-stick pan over medium heat.

Does cooking nutritional yeast destroy vitamins? ›

Even though nutritional yeast is a great ingredient to cook with, the healthiest way to eat it is raw. B vitamins have a tendency to break down rapidly when they are heated, so if you're cooking with fortified yeast, you're likely losing most of those added B vitamins.

References

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