Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

ULTIMATE “MEATBALL” BURGER

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Sophia DeSantis @ Veggies Don't Bite
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

(recipe published by permission)
This hearty burger will fulfill any meat lover. Stuffed with greens and loads of protein, then topped with the perfect homemade pizza sauce, it’s an all-in-one type of meal! From the first bite to the last, you’ll love the warm, comforting flavor of this burger, kind of like being wrapped in your favorite cozy blanket.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups (151 g) chopped mushrooms
  • 2 cups (260 g) chopped kale, stems removed
  • 1 tbsp (10 g) chopped garlic
  • Low-sodium veggie broth (about 1/2 cup [118 ml]) or drizzle of oil, for sautéing
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 g) cooked brown or green lentils
  • 1/2 cup (30 g) bread crumbs (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/2 cup (80 g) oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup (62 g) Quick-and-Easy Pizza Sauce (page 152)
  • 1 tbsp (2 g) dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp (2 g) dried basil
  • 1 tbsp (2 g) dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sea salt

TO SERVE

  • 4 to 5 buns
  • Quick-and-Easy Pizza Sauce (page 152)

Instructions

Prep

  1. Chop and sauté kale
  2. Sauté the mushrooms, kale and garlic with broth or oil over medium heat until the mushrooms are soft and the liquid has evaporated, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Set aside.
  4. Place the the lentils, bread crumbs, oats, walnuts, sauce, thyme, basil, oregano and salt in a food processor and pulse until well chopped. You want a crumblelike texture. Check to make sure the mixture sticks together, and if it doesn’t, pulse some more, but make sure it doesn’t turn into a purée. You can also add a bit more pizza sauce if it doesn’t stick yet, however, you don’t want it to be too wet.
  5. Place the mushrooms, kale and garlic into the processor, making sure not to add any leftover juices, and pulse a few times until everything is well chopped and incorporated. If the ingredients aren’t mixed after a few pulses, put the mixture in a bowl and mix it with your hands.
  6. Place the mixture into a bowl, and put it in the fridge for at least 20 minutes; an hour is best. Making this the day before and letting it sit overnight is optimal. This helps all flavors marinate and leads to a sturdier burger.

Cook

  1. shape the mixture into patties.
  2. If you’re not using a nonstick pan, then you may want to prepare the pan by brushing it with a tad of oil to avoid sticking.
  3. Place the patties in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat for 15 minutes on each side. Pans and stovetops vary, so begin to check the patties at 10 minutes. If you try to slide yourspatula under a patty and it won’t give, then it isn’t ready and needs to cook longer. You can also bake the patties on a parchment-lined cookie sheet at 375F (191C) for about 20 to 25 minutes on each side.
  4. Allow the patties to cool and set for 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Serve on buns with the toppings of your choice.

Notes

Kids

  • Make patties into a smaller slider size or into nuggets.
  • Serve sauce on the side as a dipper.