Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe - This saucy, flavor-packed sandwich is perfect for a game-day party or a casual meal any night of the week. Italian sausage, marinara sauce, pesto, garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, toasted hot dog buns, and melty mozzarella cheese. One bite and you will be blown away!
Remove sausage from the links and place in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the sausage has crumbled and is no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Add marinara sauce, pesto, garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Pull some of the bread out of the sides of the buns. Brush the inside with melted butter and place under the oven broiler to lightly toast the buns.
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese in the bottom of each toasted bun. Scoop sausage mixture into buns. Top with fresh mozzarella pearls, sliced pepperoncini peppers, and more shredded mozzarella cheese.
Place buns on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the buns are toasty. Cover with aluminum foil if the buns get too toasty.
Notes:
I use Johnsonville Italian Sausage links. You can use any flavor that you enjoy - regular, sweet, or hot.
Substitute turkey sausage for lower calories.
Can substitute hoagie rolls for hotdog buns.
My favorite store-bought spaghetti sauces are Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label), Carbone, Rao’s, and La Famiglia DelGrosso.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.