Oh my gosh, you have to try this lentil mushroom Wellington – it’s the showstopper that converted my meat-loving uncle to plant-based eating! I first made it for Christmas dinner when my cousin went vegan, and now it’s our family’s most requested holiday dish. That golden puff pastry wrapped around savory lentils and earthy mushrooms? Absolute magic.
What I love most is how it feels fancy but comes together so easily. The lentils give it that hearty, meaty texture (without any meat, obviously), while the mushrooms add this incredible depth of flavor. And when that pastry bakes up all crisp and flaky? Wow. Just wow. Trust me, this lentil mushroom Wellington will make even the staunchest carnivores ask for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Lentil Mushroom Wellington
Let me tell you why this recipe has become my go-to for every special occasion:
- Impressively easy – Looks fancy but comes together in under an hour (I promise!)
- Crowd-pleasing – Serves beautifully at holiday dinners yet works for weeknights too
- Plant-based perfection – So hearty even meat-eaters won’t miss the beef
- Flavor bomb – That combo of earthy mushrooms, savory lentils and flaky pastry? Heavenly
- Make-ahead magic – Filling can be prepped the day before for stress-free entertaining
Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for it to come out of the oven – the smell is incredible!
Ingredients for Lentil Mushroom Wellington
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this showstopper – I always double check my ingredients before starting because there’s nothing worse than realizing you’re out of puff pastry halfway through!
- 1 cup cooked brown lentils (about ½ cup dry) – I like French lentils for their firm texture
- 2 tbsp good olive oil – This is where quality really matters
- 1 medium onion, diced – Yellow or white both work beautifully
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh is best, but 1 tsp powder in a pinch
- 16 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced – Baby bellas add such rich flavor
- 1 tsp dried thyme – Or 1 tbsp fresh if you have it
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed – Keep this cold until ready to use!
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard – My secret flavor booster
See? Nothing too fancy – just simple, quality ingredients that transform into something magical.
How to Make Lentil Mushroom Wellington
Okay, let’s get cooking! This lentil mushroom Wellington comes together in three simple phases – and I’ll walk you through each step so yours turns out perfect. Just follow along and soon you’ll have this gorgeous golden beauty ready for the table!
Preparing the Filling
First, heat that olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your diced onion and cook until it’s soft and translucent – about 5 minutes should do it. Now toss in the garlic (careful, it burns fast!) and all those beautiful sliced mushrooms. Here’s the key – keep cooking until the mushrooms release all their liquid and it evaporates. You want that concentrated umami flavor, not soggy mushrooms! Finally, stir in your cooked lentils and thyme. The filling should be moist but not wet – if it looks too juicy, cook it down another minute or two.
Assembling the Wellington
Roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface – just enough to smooth out the folds, don’t go crazy thin. Transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment (trust me, this saves cleanup!). Spread that Dijon mustard down the center in a thick stripe – this adds such a nice tangy contrast. Now pile on your lentil-mushroom mixture, shaping it into a neat log. Here comes the fun part – fold the pastry over the filling like you’re wrapping a present! Seal the edges really well with a fork or your fingers – we don’t want any filling escaping during baking.
Baking the Lentil Mushroom Wellington
Pop it in your preheated 400°F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the pastry is gorgeously golden brown and puffed up. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing – I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but this helps everything set up perfectly!
Tips for Perfect Lentil Mushroom Wellington
After making this Wellington more times than I can count, here are my foolproof tips for absolute perfection:
- Resting is key – Those 10 minutes after baking let the filling set so you get clean slices
- Seal tight – Really press those pastry edges together or they’ll pop open in the oven
- Prep ahead – The filling keeps beautifully in the fridge for 2 days (just reheat slightly before using)
- Golden trick – Brush the pastry with a little plant milk for extra color and shine
- Slice smart – Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to keep the pastry crisp
Follow these and your Wellington will turn out picture-perfect every single time!
Serving Suggestions for Lentil Mushroom Wellington
Now for the best part – serving up your masterpiece! I love pairing this Wellington with simple roasted veggies (carrots and Brussels sprouts are my go-to) and a generous pour of rich mushroom gravy. For lighter meals, a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Oh, and don’t forget – it makes amazing leftovers tucked between slices of crusty bread!
Storage and Reheating
This lentil mushroom Wellington keeps beautifully! Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days – just wrap tightly in foil. To freeze, wrap the whole Wellington or individual slices in plastic wrap first, then foil. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 15 minutes for slices, 30 for whole). The pastry stays crispiest this way – microwaving makes it soggy, so I don’t recommend it unless you’re desperate!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads up – nutritional values can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. That said, this lentil mushroom Wellington packs a nutritious punch with plant-based protein, fiber from the lentils, and all those good-for-you mushrooms. Not too shabby for something that tastes this indulgent!
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve gotten so many questions about this lentil mushroom Wellington over the years – let me share the answers to the most common ones!
Can I use different mushrooms?
Absolutely! While cremini are my favorite, you can use portobello for a meatier texture or white buttons if that’s what you have. Just avoid very watery mushrooms – they’ll make the filling too wet.
How do I prevent a soggy bottom?
Two tricks: cook your mushroom mixture until all the liquid evaporates, and don’t skip that mustard layer – it creates a moisture barrier between the filling and pastry.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Just use gluten-free puff pastry (some brands make it now) and you’re golden. The filling is naturally GF.
What if my pastry tears while wrapping?
No panic! Just patch it with a little extra pastry and seal with water – it’ll bake up fine. I’ve salvaged many Wellingtons this way!
For more delicious recipes and inspiration, check out my Pinterest page!
Print“10/10 Lentil Mushroom Wellington That Converts Carnivores Instantly”
A savory plant-based main dish with lentils and mushrooms wrapped in puff pastry.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown lentils, cooked
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and mushrooms, cooking until mushrooms release their liquid.
- Stir in cooked lentils and thyme, then remove from heat.
- Roll out puff pastry on a baking sheet.
- Spread mustard down the center of the pastry.
- Spoon the lentil mixture over the mustard.
- Fold the pastry over the filling and seal the edges.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- Let the Wellington rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- You can prepare the filling a day ahead.
- Serve with gravy or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg