Grilled Sausage Grinders (Printable)
Juicy grilled sausages in crusty rolls with smoky charred tomato sauce, a hearty summer sandwich.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 Italian sausages, mild or hot
→ Bread
02 - 4 hoagie or grinder rolls
→ Vegetables
03 - 4 ripe tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small red onion, sliced into thick rings
05 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
06 - 2 garlic cloves, peeled
→ Dairy
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Spices and Condiments
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set your outdoor or stovetop grill to medium-high heat and allow it to reach full temperature before cooking.
02 - Brush the tomato halves, onion rings, bell pepper quarters, and garlic cloves generously with olive oil on all sides.
03 - Place the sausages on the hot grill and cook, turning occasionally, until cooked through with a nicely charred exterior, about 12 to 15 minutes.
04 - While the sausages cook, grill the tomatoes cut side down, along with the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until charred and softened, 5 to 7 minutes per side.
05 - Transfer the grilled tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic to a food processor or blender. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper. Pulse until a chunky, rustic sauce forms.
06 - Split the hoagie rolls and place them face-down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly crisped.
07 - Arrange the grilled sausages in the toasted rolls, spoon a generous amount of grilled tomato sauce over each, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
08 - Return the assembled grinders to the grill, close the lid, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from the grill, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The grilled tomato sauce is smoky, sweet, and completely addictive, and you will want to put it on everything once you try it.
- It comes together in under 40 minutes with barely any prep, making it perfect for lazy weeknight dinners or impromptu backyard gatherings.
02 -
- Watch the garlic carefully on the grill because it goes from golden and sweet to bitter and burnt in what feels like seconds.
- Do not overblend the sauce because the chunky texture is what makes it feel rustic and homemade rather than like jarred marinara.
03 -
- Let the grilled vegetables rest for a few minutes before blending so the flavors settle and the steam dies down enough to work safely.
- If you want a richer sauce, drizzle in a tiny splash of good olive oil right at the end of blending.