Grilled Sausage Grinders (Print View)
Grilled sausages in crusty rolls topped with smoky charred tomato sauce and melted cheese for a hearty summer meal.
# What You 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, cut into thick rings
05 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
06 - 2 garlic cloves, peeled
→ Dairy
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
→ 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 (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set your outdoor or stovetop grill to medium-high heat and allow it to fully preheat.
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. Toast for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly crisp.
07 - Arrange a grilled sausage on each toasted roll. Spoon a generous amount of the grilled tomato sauce over each sausage and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan if desired.
08 - Place the assembled grinders back on 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 if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The grilled tomato sauce tastes like summer condensed into a single spoonful and you can use leftovers on pasta the next day.
- Everything cooks on one grill so your kitchen stays completely clean while you feed four people generously.
02 -
- Do not move the tomatoes too early because they need time to release from the grate naturally or they will fall apart in your tongs.
- Letting the sauce rest for five minutes before spooning it on helps the flavors settle and thickens it slightly.
03 -
- Use tongs rather than a fork to turn sausages because piercing the casing lets all the flavorful juices escape onto the coals instead of staying inside.
- Keep the sauce intentionally chunky because a completely smooth puree slides right off the roll and onto your plate.