Start by gathering all your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking sheet or prepare a skillet. This will ensure that your burgers don't stick.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic. Sauté them until they become translucent and fragrant—about 4-5 minutes. Now toss in the finely diced mushrooms. Cook until they’re surrounded by a delightful aroma and are soft (about 6-8 minutes). Stir in the soy sauce, smoked paprika, and salt. Let this cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, sautéed veggies, beans, ground oats, and thyme. Add the nutritional yeast at this point if you’re using it. Mix with your hands or a wooden spoon until everything is well integrated. The mixture should bind together nicely.

Now, get your hands dusty again! Grab a handful of the mixture and shape it into patties. Aim for a thickness of about one inch. You should get around 6-8 patties, depending on how big you make them.

In the same skillet you used for the veggies, or straight onto your baking sheet, carefully add the patties. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over them to enhance browning. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden-brown and firm to the touch.

Once cooked, let the patties cool for a brief moment. Get your whole wheat buns ready and layer with your favorite toppings. Lettuce, tomato, onion, and perhaps a slice of avocado—they’re all great candidates.

Stack those burgers up, grab your sweet potato fries, and dig in! Share your creation or keep it all for yourself—no judgment here!