Meaty Mushroom Frito Pie Burger

My second entry for The Mushroom Channel's Game Day Blend Contest is a mouthful! 

What goes better with Texas football than Frito Pie? 

Frito Pie Burgers, of course!

Their challenge is to create the best blended burger for your next football party or tailgate session using their method of blending:

"Create delicious, healthy meals with one simple ingredient – mushrooms. Research shows that people who eat mushrooms have better diet quality and increased intake of some nutrients, making them the go-to ingredient for delicious family meals. It’s never been easier to use mushrooms to transform meals, starting with those that may already be in the weekly rotation. Simply chop mushrooms to match the texture of ground meat – beef, pork, chicken, turkey (or tofu) – and use in place of some of the meat in recipes such as burgers, tacos, meatloaf, lasagna, pasta sauce, or meatballs to make every day dishes more healthful and delicious. This technique is referred to as The Blend."

Meaty Mushroom Frito Pie Burger

 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

12 ounces cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon creole seasoning

1 pound lean ground beef

 cheddar cheese

5 bakery hamburger buns

Toppings Bar:

Mayo

Chili

Red onions

Sliced pickled jalapenos

Fritos

Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Roughly chop mushrooms and add them to the hot oil. Cook for 10 minutes or until mushrooms have browned and softened. Add the garlic and sauté for 2-4 more minutes. Place sautéed mushrooms in a large mixing bowl and set aside to allow them to cool.

To the large mixing bowl with the chopped sautéed mushrooms, add the Worcestershire sauce, creole seasoning and ground beef. Mix thoroughly to combine and shape the meat mixture into 5 patties. Heat the remaining Tablespoon of oil in the pan. Once oil is hot add patties to pan and cook 5-7 minutes or until a brown crust has formed on the underside of the patty. Flip burgers over and cook another 3 minutes.

Place cheese on each burger and continue to cook, until melted, for 2-4 minutes.

Toast the buns until nicely golden brown.

To assemble the burgers spread a thin layer of mayo on the top and bottom of each toasted bun half. Place a burger patty on each bun bottom and top with chili, onion, jalapenos and Fritos. Place the bun tops on each and serve immediately.