DGA1 catalyzes the final enzymatic step for converting acyl-CoA and 1,2-diacylglycerol to triacylglycerols (TAG) and CoA in yeast. Disclosed are methods for expression in an oleaginous yeast host of polynucleotide sequences encoding DGA1 from Rhodosporidium toruloides, Lipomyces starkeyi, Aurantiochytrium limacinium, Aspergillus terreus, or Claviceps purpurea. Also described herein are engineered recombinant host cells of Yarrowia lipolytica comprising heterologous DGA1 polynucleotides encoding DGA1 proteins, or functionally active portions thereof, having the capability of producing increased lipid production and possessing the characteristic of enhanced glucose consumption efficiency.