Vegetarian Sausage Rolls

With flaky puff pastry wrapped around a lentil, vegetable and cheese filling, these vegetarian sausage rolls are a delicious party snack or lunchbox idea that everyone will love. On the table in just 45 minutes, they're great for making ahead and freezing too.

We love a classic pork sausage roll, however these easy lentil sausage rolls with their cheese and veggie-packed filling are a delicious meat-free alternative that young and old love - meat eaters included! Wrapped up in crispy puff pastry, who can resist?

They're a perfect addition to any lunchbox, a great vegetarian party food, and make a delicious work from home lunch served with tomato sauce or chutney. Add a pumpkin salad or beetroot salad on the side for a satisfying meal.

Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

• Healthy sausage rolls - packed with mushrooms, grated carrot and sweet potato as well as protein packed lentils, these veggie sausage rolls are a healthier sausage roll than the traditional meat one.
• Vegetarian meal - and yet the meat lovers of the family will be pleasantly surprised as well!
• Toddler approved - a great way to smuggle some veggies into a fun finger food.
• Quick and easy - prep, bake, and on the table in under an hour.
• Freezer friendly - lentil sausage rolls can be frozen before cooking or after being baked. Just pop them in the oven from frozen (adding an extra 10 minutes) and you have a delicious snack or last minute lunch!

What You Need

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

• Puff pastry - puff pastry sheets are sold frozen in 25cm x 25cm ready-rolled squares in the freezer section in supermarkets. I like to use Pampas puff pastry, but other brands work equally as well.
• Olive oil - to saute the onion in.
• Brown onion - a regular brown onion adds flavour.
• Minced garlic - fresh or store bought minced or chopped garlic.
• Dried herbs - dried oregano or dried thyme both work well in this recipe.
• Mushrooms - finely chopped button mushrooms add a meaty texture to the rolls.
• Sweet potato - adding grated sweet potato to the filling not only gives a nutritious boost, but also a sweetness too.
• Carrot - like the sweet potato, grated carrot adds sweetness and nutrients to the rolls.
• Lentils - store-bought tinned brown lentils are an extremely nutritious and budget friendly ingredient to add to any meal. Just rinse and drain the lentils before adding to the filling.
• Soy sauce - or tamari which is milder and more aromatic than regular soy sauce. 
• Salt & pepper - for seasoning to taste.
• Cheddar cheese - grated cheddar cheese adds to the 'yum' factor.
• Egg - an egg wash brushed over the sausage rolls before baking gives them a lovely shiny coating and helps the pastry turn a beautiful golden colour.
• Sesame seeds or black poppy seeds - sprinkling seeds over the egg washed rolls before being baked not only adds crunch, goodness and flavour, but they look pretty too.

Equipment Required

For these healthy Vegetarian Sausage Rolls you will need:

• Grater;
• Frying pan;
• Baking tray.
• Oven or air fryer.

Step By Step Instructions

Vegetarian sausage rolls, packed with veggies and lentils, are a really nutritious snack or lunch, and super economical as well! Both 'big' and little kids will love them.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Step 1 - Prepare The Filling

By cooking the vegetables first, we are removing the water from them, which helps ensure that the sausage rolls have crispy, flaky and crunchy pastry.

Sauté the diced onion, garlic and dried herbs in the olive oil over a medium heat until the onion is softened.

Add the chopped mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until the mushrooms have softened and all of the liquid has evaporated.

Add the grated sweet potato and grated carrot to the frying pan and cook for a further three minutes. 

Stir through the lentils and soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a bowl and allow to cool slightly.

Note: If you add the warm filling on to cold puff pastry, it will start to melt the pastry, which could lead to a soggy mess!

Once the mixture has cooled, stir through the grated cheese. 

Step 2 - Assemble The Sausage Rolls

Cut each sheet of defrosted puff pastry in half. Make sure the pastry is thawed completely (but not warm) before rolling to avoid it cracking.

Brush beaten egg down one long side of each pastry half.

Place one-sixth of the filling in a long thin line down the opposite side.

Roll the sausage rolls into a long thin roll. Make sure the joined pastry seam is facing down.

Cut each roll into four pieces, then brush lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds or black poppy seeds.

Step 3 - Bake

Place the sausage rolls onto non-stick baking trays and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is golden.

Expert Tips

• For the crispiest sausage rolls - It is best to place the vegetarian sausage rolls directly onto non-stick baking trays. However, if you're worried about your sausage rolls sticking to the baking trays, you can use baking paper. Please note, the bottom of your sausage rolls may not become crispy due to the excess liquid that will sit on the baking paper from the sausage rolls as they cook. If this is the case, add fresh baking paper halfway through cooking or drain any liquid off the baking paper and turn the sausage rolls over.
• Preheat your oven. Ensure that your oven is preheated to 180 degrees celsius fan-forced (355 Fahrenheit) before placing your vegetarian sausage rolls in to bake.
• For an egg-free sausage roll - swap the egg glaze (and seal) for milk or water and be sure to pinch the pastry edges together quite firmly to avoid the pastry splitting open while cooking.
• Store - in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• You can freeze vegetarian sausage rolls for up to 3 months.

FAQs

More Easy Vegetarian Puff Pastry Recipes

You can't beat the ease of puff pastry!

Here are some delicious vegetarian recipes with puff pastry to try:

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