What Was the Best: Ultimate Veggie Burger
Hearty lentil-mushroom patties packed with roasted vegetables and herbs, crowned with tomato sauce for a plant-based delight. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs cooked lentils, finely chopped mushrooms, grated carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms
- 1/2 cup grated carrots
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a food processor, pulse 1 cup cooked lentils, 1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms, 1/2 cup grated carrots, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until combined but still slightly chunky.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 4 patties, about 3/4-inch thick, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until firm and golden on the edges.
- Step 3: While burgers cook, assemble: place a patty on each burger bun, top with 2 tbsp tomato sauce and 1/4 cup shredded lettuce. Serve immediately while the patties are warm and crispy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does What Was the Best: Ultimate Veggie Burger take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover What Was the Best: Ultimate Veggie Burger?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in What Was the Best: Ultimate Veggie Burger?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale What Was the Best: Ultimate Veggie Burger for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is What Was the Best: Ultimate Veggie Burger vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
