Sausage Recipe

Sausage Sandwich

1. 1

   Prepare vegetables

   Peel and thinly slice the yellow onion. Core, seed, and thinly slice the bell pepper into strips. Mince the garlic cloves. Set vegetables aside.

2. 2

   Cook sausages

   Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the sausage links whole and brown on all sides, turning occasionally, about 6–8 minutes. They should develop a golden crust but not be fully cooked through. Remove sausages to a plate and set aside.

3. 3

   Sauté vegetables

   In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil if needed. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until softened and beginning to caramelize, about 6–8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant.

4. 4

   Make sauce

   Pour in 1 cup crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce) and stir to combine with the vegetables. Add 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir, bring to a gentle simmer, and let the sauce reduce and thicken slightly for 4–6 minutes.

5. 5

   Finish sausages in sauce

   Nestle the browned sausages back into the skillet with the sauce. Cover and simmer over low to medium-low heat until sausages are cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), about 6–10 minutes depending on thickness. Turn sausages once halfway through to coat in sauce.

6. 6

   Prepare rolls

   While sausages finish, split the sandwich rolls and spread a thin layer of butter on the cut sides. Toast the rolls face-down in a separate skillet or under a broiler until golden and crisp, about 1–2 minutes.

7. 7

   Assemble sandwiches

   Place one cooked sausage in each toasted roll. Spoon generous amounts of the vegetable-tomato sauce over each sausage. Top each with a slice of provolone or mozzarella. If desired, return sandwiches briefly to the skillet (covered) or under a broiler just until the cheese melts, about 1–2 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.

8. 8

   Garnish and serve

   Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the sandwiches. Serve hot with any remaining sauce on the side.