Hi, my name is Colleen, and I have an addiction. Seriously though guys, I HAVE an addiction. No, I am not attending weekly anonymous meetings, it’s a little bit of a different addiction. What is it? I’m addicted to nutritional yeast. It’s SO good! And I’m also addicted to this vegan broccoli mac and cheese.

Never heard of it? Or maybe you have but aren’t really sure exactly what it is? That’s the camp that I was in for a long time. Finally, I was wandering the aisle of Trader Joe’s (as I often do, it’s casual…), saw a yellow bag of year and plopped that sucker into my basket. I usually don’t buy things that I don’t have a plan for, I’m totally a “stick to the list” kinda gal, but that day I did. The result? SO many delicious and nutritious dishes.

Let’s get to learning about this ingredient, shall we? Here are a few facts about nutritional yeast:

• It’s a “deactivated” yeast, meaning it’s been heated and dried
• Provides LOADS of B vitamins, which are helpful for cell metabolism, memory, mood, digestive system, and the oh-so popular glowing hair, skin and nails (Sign me up!)
• Vegan, gluten free, and kosher for all you dietary needs friends out there
  

The flavor of nutritional yeast is “cheesy” and slightly nutty. Some common uses (besides for this vegan broccoli mac and cheese) for it are:

1. In place of parmesan cheese on pasta
2. Sprinkled on popcorn
3. Mixed in rice or quinoa
4. As a salad topping
5. Dusted on veggies
6. In casseroles

One of my favorite dishes to make with nutritional yeast is broccoli macaroni and “cheese”. It’s a vegan dish that even carnivores can’t resist! I’m not a vegan by any means, but I do love experimenting with plant based foods. That the fun part of living with no food rules. You can try whatever you want!

Nutritional Yeast + Vegan Broccoli Mac And "Cheese"

This gooey, saucy, vegan broccoli macaroni and "cheese" is a dish both vegans and non vegans are sure to love! Plus there are only 7 ingredients and it's ready in only 15 minutes!

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

PRINT RECIPE

Ingredients

• 1 cups elbow noodles
• 1 & 1/3 cup riced cauliflower
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a large pot, boil water and cook macaroni according to package directions
• Steam broccoli in a steam basket over the stove for ~8 minutes
• Meanwhile, sauté cauliflower with ~1/3 cup water in a saucepan for ~3-5 minutes until soft
• In a food processor combine riced cauliflower, milk, powders, nutritional yeast and salt and pepper. Process until smooth
• Drain macaroni when cooked, and coat with "cheese" sauce. Add in broccoli.
• Serve warm!

Notes

-You can also use frozen, microwaveable broccoli for even easier prep!
-Complete the dish with your favorite protein source

click To display nutrition info

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Nutritional Yeast + Vegan Broccoli Mac And "Cheese"

Serving Size

 

1 g

Amount per Serving

Calories

148

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

2

g

3

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Sodium

 

161

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

27

g

9

%

Fiber

 

4

g

17

%

Sugar

 

1

g

1

%

Protein

 

7

g

14

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

How have you used nutritional yeast before? What’s you favorite way to use it? Let me know!

Happy Eating!

-Colleen