Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwich Recipe

Italian sausage links: These are flavorful sausages seasoned with Italian herbs and spices, perfect for grilling.

Split hoagie rolls: These soft, elongated rolls are ideal for holding the sausages and toppings.

Marinara sauce: A rich tomato-based sauce that adds a burst of Italian flavor to the sandwich.

Shredded mozzarella cheese: This cheese melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture to the sandwich.

Sautéed bell peppers and onions: Optional but highly recommended, these add a sweet and savory element to the sandwich.

To enhance the flavor of your Italian sausage, consider using a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked to the perfect internal temperature of 160°F. This will help you avoid overcooking and drying out the sausages. Additionally, when grilling the hoagie rolls, brush them lightly with olive oil or garlic butter for an extra layer of flavor. For the sautéed bell peppers and onions, cook them until they are caramelized to bring out their natural sweetness, which will complement the savory sausage and marinara sauce.

• italian sausage links - Substitute with chicken sausage links: Chicken sausage provides a similar texture and flavor profile with a lighter taste and fewer calories.

• italian sausage links - Substitute with vegetarian sausage links: For a plant-based option, vegetarian sausage links offer a similar taste and texture without the meat.

• split hoagie rolls - Substitute with whole wheat rolls: Whole wheat rolls add a nutty flavor and extra fiber for a healthier option.

• split hoagie rolls - Substitute with gluten-free rolls: For those with gluten sensitivities, gluten-free rolls provide a similar texture without the gluten.

• warmed marinara sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto sauce offers a fresh, herbaceous flavor that complements the sausage well.

• warmed marinara sauce - Substitute with barbecue sauce: Barbecue sauce adds a smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor that pairs nicely with grilled sausage.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts well and has a slightly sharper flavor that enhances the sandwich.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with vegan mozzarella cheese: For a dairy-free option, vegan mozzarella provides a similar melt and flavor.

• sautéed bell peppers and onions - Substitute with sautéed mushrooms and zucchini: Sautéed mushrooms and zucchini offer a different texture and a rich, earthy flavor.

• sautéed bell peppers and onions - Substitute with pickled jalapeños and red onions: Pickled jalapeños and red onions add a tangy and spicy kick to the sandwich.

• Allow the italian sausage links to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.

• Wrap each grilled sausage individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents them from sticking together.

• Place the wrapped sausages in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.

• Store the hoagie rolls separately from the sausages. Wrap them in aluminum foil or place them in a resealable plastic bag to maintain their softness.

• For the marinara sauce, transfer it to a small airtight container. This will keep it fresh and prevent any spills.

• If you have sautéed bell peppers and onions, store them in a separate airtight container. This keeps the flavors intact and prevents them from mixing with other ingredients.

• To freeze, place the wrapped sausages in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. This prevents them from sticking together.

• Once the sausages are frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Label with the date and use within 2-3 months for the best quality.

• Freeze the hoagie rolls separately in a resealable freezer bag. This keeps them fresh and prevents freezer burn.

• For the marinara sauce, freeze it in a small airtight container or ice cube trays for easy portioning. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a resealable freezer bag.

• Thaw the sausages, rolls, and sauce in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This ensures even thawing and maintains the quality of the ingredients.

• Reheat the sausages on a grill or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. This brings back the grilled flavor and texture.

• Warm the hoagie rolls in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until soft and heated through.

• Heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed.

• Assemble the sandwiches as per the original recipe, adding the shredded mozzarella cheese and any optional sautéed bell peppers and onions.

• Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious, freshly reheated grilled italian sausage sandwiches.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap each grilled Italian sausage sandwich in aluminum foil to keep the hoagie rolls from drying out.
  3. Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet.
  4. Heat in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the sausages are warmed through and the mozzarella cheese is melted.
  5. Unwrap and enjoy your reheated sandwich with the same deliciousness as the first time.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the grilled Italian sausage sandwich on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the sandwich with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If the cheese hasn’t melted, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until fully heated.
  5. Let it sit for a minute before enjoying.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the grilled Italian sausage sandwich in the skillet and cover with a lid to trap the heat.
  3. Cook for about 3-5 minutes on each side, pressing down slightly to ensure even heating.
  4. Once the sausages are hot and the cheese is melted, remove from the skillet and serve immediately.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap the grilled Italian sausage sandwich in aluminum foil.
  3. Place the wrapped sandwich in the air fryer basket.
  4. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it’s warming evenly.
  5. Carefully unwrap and enjoy your crispy, reheated sandwich.

• Grill: Used to cook the Italian sausage links to perfection, giving them a nice char and smoky flavor.

• Tongs: Essential for turning the sausages on the grill to ensure even cooking.

• Grill brush: Handy for cleaning the grill grates before and after grilling the sausages and hoagie rolls.

• Knife: Needed to split the hoagie rolls before warming them on the grill.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for splitting the hoagie rolls and preparing any additional toppings like bell peppers and onions.

• Sauté pan: Used for sautéing the optional bell peppers and onions until they are tender and flavorful.

• Spatula: Useful for stirring and handling the sautéed bell peppers and onions.

• Measuring cup: Helps in measuring the correct amount of marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.

• Serving platter: Ideal for arranging the grilled sausage sandwiches before serving.

• Basting brush: Can be used to apply a light coating of oil to the hoagie rolls before warming them on the grill.

Pre-cook sausages: Grill or cook the Italian sausage links ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Reheat them on the grill when ready to serve.

Use store-bought marinara: Save time by using warmed marinara sauce from a jar instead of making it from scratch.

Pre-shredded cheese: Buy shredded mozzarella cheese to avoid the hassle of shredding it yourself.

Pre-sauté vegetables: Sauté the bell peppers and onions in advance and store them in an airtight container. Reheat when assembling the sandwiches.

Warm rolls in oven: If you're short on grill space, warm the hoagie rolls in the oven instead.