These nutritional yeast recipes are some of my most loved, and show exactly why eating dairy free doesn’t have to mean missing out on the foods you enjoy most. This essential pantry ingredient is the answer to rich, creamy and delicious meals that the whole family will love!
I’ve been dairy free for over 10 years and when I first began my journey, food felt hard. All my favourite foods seemed to use cheese, butter, milk or cream, and I couldn’t work out how to eat food that felt satisfying without thinking of all the things I couldn’t have.
That feeling started to shift when I discovered nutritional yeast and now, I always have it in the pantry and I recommend anyone who is dairy free or vegan to consider it an essential pantry staple.
So what exactly is nutritional yeast? Often referred to as ‘nooch’ is a deactivated form of yeast, which means unlike yeast used in baking, it won’t cause anything to rise and is instead used to add flavour and nutrition to recipes.
And what does nutritional yeast it taste like? While the name doesn’t sound particularly appetising, I can assure you these yellow flakes have a naturally cheesy, nutty and savoury flavour that gives a distinctively umami taste when used in cooking. It’s the reason we can make a creamy and rich mac and cheese that actually tastes cheesy without any dairy or processed fake cheese products. Game changing for those of us who eat a dairy free diet.
You can buy nutritional yeast in most supermarkets or health food stores, or like most things, pick it up on Amazon. It keeps for ages in a sealed container which makes it ideal to keep in the pantry.
17 Nutritional Yeast Recipes That Make Dairy Free Cooking Easy
1. Dairy Free Lasagne
This dairy free lasagne recipe has all the cosy and comforting flavours of the family favourite recipe you know and love, just without the dairy. With layers of rich beef sauce, tender pasta, and a creamy, ‘cheesy’ béchamel, this is the recipe I’ve perfected over the last 10 years of being dairy free. Serve it up to friends and family and watch them go back for seconds!
2. Dairy Free Mac and Cheese
This dairy free mac and cheese is the ultimate weeknight comfort food. Ready in just 20 minutes, it is the kind of easy, cosy dinner you can throw together after a long day and still feel like you have indulged in something special. My secret is nutritional yeast, which gives the sauce a deliciously cheesy flavour without any dairy or cashews.
3. Easy Zucchini Slice
This easy zucchini slice is the classic Aussie favourite recipe made dairy free. Using grated zucchini, carrot, bacon and onion, this egg slice comes together with very low effort. Enjoy it hot or cold for a delicious, high protein snack, light lunch, or simple dinner the whole family will enjoy!
4. Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo
A rich and creamy vegan cauliflower alfredo sauce made without cream or cheese. This creamy dairy free pasta sauce is so delicious, you’d never know it’s made with hidden vegetables.
5. Dairy Free Quiche
This delicious dairy free quiche is easily made without milk, cream or cheese. A twist on a classic quiche lorraine, you’ll love this dairy free version made with oat milk, smoky bacon and sauteed onions, in a flaky pastry crust. Serve it hot or cold alongside a simple green salad for an easy brunch, lunch or light dinner.
6. Dairy Free Parmesan Cheese
This dairy free parmesan cheese is a simple and delicious alternative to grated parmesan. It has a similar texture and salty, ‘cheesy’ flavour that makes it the perfect substitution to finish off all your favourite dishes. Plus it’s made from just 5 ingredients and comes together quickly using a food processor.
7. Vegan Cauliflower Cheese Bake
This vegan cauliflower cheese is the most delicious way to eat cauliflower. With a rich, creamy and cheesy sauce (without using any vegan cheese!) and a flavourful and crunchy golden breadcrumb topping, this cauliflower bake can be enjoyed as a side dish or on its own as a vegetarian main meal. Think mac and cheese but healthier!
8. Dairy Free Baked Potato Soup
This dairy free baked potato soup is thick, creamy and comforting, loaded with crispy bacon, dairy free cheese, and spring onions. It’s everything you love about a baked potato made into an easy and deliciously cosy soup!
9. Zucchini Fritters
These easy homemade zucchini fritters are quick to make and are the perfect simple and healthy light lunch, dinner or brunch! These fritters are made dairy free and are crispy on the outside and tender in the centre. They are our absolute favourite way to enjoy fresh summer zucchini!
10. Pea Pesto Pasta (High Protein + Vegan)
This high protein pea pesto pasta is an easy weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavour and plant-based protein. Made with a vibrant green pea and basil pesto, with baby spinach and sundried tomatoes, it’s a simple, nourishing meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
11. Dairy Free Chicken Enchiladas
These dairy free chicken enchiladas are my go-to cosy comfort food. With a chicken and vegetable filling, flour tortillas and a creamy homemade ‘cheese’ sauce, this will quickly become a weeknight dinner the whole family everyone will enjoy!
12. Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
This slow cooker marry me chicken is an easy dinner that’s full of flavour and requires almost no prep. The chicken is slow cooked until tender in a silky, creamy garlic and sundried tomato sauce that is completely dairy free. It’s smooth, comforting, and perfect for when you want a delicious meal with minimal effort.
13. Vegan Lentil Lasagne
This recipe for rich, creamy vegan lentil lasagne is the ULTIMATE comfort food. Made using all regular ingredients that you know (no fake meat here!), and a ‘cheesy’ vegan béchamel, this is the hearty lasagne you expect but without the meat and dairy. Next time you’re craving lasagne, give this version a try, I know you’ll love it as much as I do.
14. Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
This rich and creamy vegan mac and cheese without cashews is made completely plant-based, vegan and nut free thanks to a combination of sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast and a few spices. This easy pasta recipe will become a favourite weeknight meal!
15. Gluten Free Corn Fritters
These healthy corn fritters are so easy to make and are the perfect snack, brunch or lunch recipe that the whole family will love. This version is both dairy free and gluten free and results in light fritters with crispy edges that really highlight the flavour of the sweet corn.
16. Vegan Enchiladas
Hearty and comforting vegan enchiladas stuffed with black beans, sweet potato, corn and spinach wrapped up in flour tortillas and covered with a combination of smoky enchilada sauce and an easy creamy dairy free cheese sauce.
17. Marry Me Chicken Pasta
This marry me chicken pasta is the ultimate weeknight dinner in just 30 minutes! Tender chicken, a creamy dairy free sun dried tomato sauce, fresh lemon, and baby spinach come together in a dish that’s sure to be a favourite whether you’re feeding the family or enjoying a low key date night at home.
Made this recipe? Leave a review!