14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (2024)

Nutritional yeast, best known for its starring role in many vegan dishes, is actually incredibly flexible. Not only do folks use it to cheese up their vegan lasagnas, but they also sprinkle it over popcorn for an extra zip of flavor. There’s more to this heaven-sent ingredient than its buttery, nutty flavor. Nutritional yeast is a complete protein and a great source of some B-complex vitamins. With that in mind, we’d venture to say that these 14 “cheesy” recipes are as healthy as they are comforting.

Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (1) You’d never guess that this rich and creamy bowl of goodness is dairy-free, and better yet, healthy. Ready in just 15 minutes, this soup makes for an indulgent weeknight dinner that you can dig your spoon into sans guilt. (via Food Faith Fitness)

Vegan Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks Over Hemp Pesto Noodles

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (2) We love cauliflower in ALL the ways — riced, roasted, or turned into pizza crust. But nothing beats a tender cauliflower steak made “cheesy” with a blend of nutritional yeast, raw cashews and yummy spices. (via Emilie Eats)

Green Goddess Bowl

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (3) Friends, this isn’t your average bowl meal. Complete with edamame, avocado, and a wholesome dose of nutritional yeast, this bright emerald dinner option is packed with nutrients that will fuel you and make you feel AH-mazing. (via Wellness With Taryn)

Vegan Mac and Cheese

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (4) Brace yourself, because we’ve got a stellar 30-minute mac that is good for you. Nutritional yeast, miso, and smoked paprika give this creamy sauce its depth so you can mow down and feel totally okay about it. (via Delicious Everyday)

Vegan Pesto and Roasted Tomato Pizza

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (5) Life is good when you can indulge in a healthy pizza that doesn’t cramp your diet. Smothered with a vegan pesto, this tasty pie is topped with a vegan Parm in the form of nutritional yeast. (via Delish Knowledge)

Tofu Scrambles

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (6) The awesomeness of breakfast for dinner is something that everyone can agree on. Thanks to perfectly spiced and scrambled tofu, even vegans can get a cozy dose of “eggs” and toast. (via Drum Beets)

Vegan Rocket and Pea Risotto

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (7) Risotto recipes are known for their copious amounts of cheese, which is why it’s so darn awesome. If you’re off of dairy, worry not; some nutritional yeast and a little splash of almond milk will give you that creamy texture and cheesy flavor you crave. (via Wallflower Kitchen)

Pesto Rice With Slow Roasted Tomatoes and Walnuts

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (8) This recipe ups your tomato game by slow-roasting them in the oven to juicy, caramelized perfection. As if that wasn’t enticing enough, nutritional yeast is added to the pesto and rice for extra lip-smacking goodness. (via Food, Fitness, Fresh Air)

Zucchini Pizza Boats

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (9) Add the word “pizza” to any dinner option and we’re *in.* Stuffed with veggies, sweet marinara, and cheesy nutritional yeast, these zucchini boats are BOMB. (via In Sonnet’s Kitchen)

Vegan Garlic Alfredo With Asparagus and Peas

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (10) If you’re a sucker for Alfredo sauce but avoiding dairy, we’ve got you covered. This glorious and garlicky concoction does not skimp out on creaminess, thanks to cauliflower and our beloved nutritional yeast. (via I Love Vegan)

Cheesy Vegan Rutabaga Casserole

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (11) Unlike the usual heavy and less-than-wholesome casseroles we see at family affairs, this one is packed with nutrition. Rutabagas, potatoes, and other veggies are brought to the table with a dairy-free cheesiness that can’t be denied. (via Simple Seasonal)

Vegan Cheddar Beer Soup

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (12) This velvety pub classic is now vegan perfection. With a base of raw cashews, healthful veggies, and a generous serving of nutritional yeast, the cheesy blend is garnished with smokey croutons and crispy tempeh bacon. (via Connoisseurus Veg)

Vegan Zucchini Lasagna With Tofu Ricotta

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (13) Layered with tender veggies, this light twist on lasagna is all the rage. You won’t miss the noodles, and thanks to the crumbly tofu and nutritional yeast, you certainly won’t miss the cheese! (via Emilie Eats)

Golden Beetroot Risotto

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (14) This bright spin on risotto will be the talk of the dinner table, there’s no doubt about it. We can guarantee it tastes as comforting as it looks, and it’s full of wholesome ingredients. Sold. (via Blissful Basil)

Dana Sandonato

Born in Canada and now living in the beautiful state of North Carolina, Dana is a coffee-reliant food writer with a healthy appetite, a taste for culinary adventure, a thirst for good beers, and an endless hunger for food photography. When not writing for Brit + Co, she can be found pouring herself into her blog-turned-webzine, Killing Thyme, or taste-testing at local breweries with her husband. Dana's ideal down time includes pizza, marathoning on Netflix, or watching her fave flicks from the 80s and 90s - no matter how great or awful they are!

14 Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes Featuring Nutritional Yeast (2024)

FAQs

Why not to use nutritional yeast? ›

Potential Risks of Nutritional Yeast

While it's uncommon, tyramine may trigger headaches in people who experience migraines. People with a sensitivity to yeast products should not consume nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast may also worsen symptoms in people with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease.

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.

Can you overeat nutritional yeast? ›

It's typically safe to consume nutritional yeast in moderation. Most people can tolerate several tablespoons (10 to 30 grams) daily. You would have to consume pretty significant amounts of nutritional yeast to exceed the tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for the various vitamins and minerals it contains.

What happens to your body when you eat nutritional yeast? ›

Nutritional yeast comes with an abundance of health benefits that make it incredibly good for you, including boosting energy, protecting against cell damage, lowering cholesterol, and more. It's also a nutty, savory seasoning that incorporates well in dishes like tofu scramble and enchiladas.

How much nutritional yeast should I eat per day? ›

No consensus exists regarding how much nutritional yeast a person can eat daily. But eating even a 5 g serving per day can benefit you. However, you may want to start with 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast per day. You can increase that amount if you do not have any reaction.

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.

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? ›

Some research has suggested that nutritional yeast may be irritating to those with Crohn's disease and other types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In general, adding too much fiber to your diet too quickly can cause issues like gas, bloating and cramping, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Who should not eat nutritional yeast? ›

Though relatively uncommon, some people may be intolerant of nutritional yeast. It appears this may be most common in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease. Yeast may trigger an immune response in certain individuals with IBD.

Should you 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.

Can I 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.

What is the shelf life of nutritional yeast? ›

Storage and Shelf Life of Nutritional Yeast

To maintain the freshness and nutritional content of nutritional yeast, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. When stored properly, nutritional yeast can last for up to three years.

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.

What flavor does nutritional yeast add to food? ›

A: Nutritional yeast has a unique savory flavor that resembles cheese, making it a great alternative for adding flavor without salt, sugar or fat. Some people say it adds a nutty flavor to foods.

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