Grilled Sausage Grinders (Printable)
Grilled sausages in crusty rolls topped with smoky charred tomato sauce for a hearty summer sandwich.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 Italian sausages, mild or hot
→ Bread
02 - 4 hoagie rolls 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, optional
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
→ Spices and Condiments
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
12 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional
# Directions:
01 - Set your outdoor or stovetop grill to medium-high heat and allow it to reach full temperature.
02 - Brush the tomato halves, onion rings, bell pepper quarters, and garlic cloves generously with olive oil, coating all surfaces evenly.
03 - Place the sausages on the hot grill and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until cooked through and charred on all sides, 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, 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 - Place a grilled sausage in 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 - Return the assembled grinders to the grill, close the lid, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from the grill, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The grilled tomato sauce is a total game changer that you will want to put on everything from pasta to scrambled eggs.
- Everything cooks on one grill, which means almost zero cleanup and maximum flavor with minimal effort.
02 -
- Do not move the tomatoes too early when grilling because they need uninterrupted contact with the grate to develop that deep char that gives the sauce its signature smoky flavor.
- Pulse the sauce instead of blending continuously because a chunky texture catches in every crevice of the roll and makes each bite more interesting than a smooth puree ever could.
03 -
- Let the grilled vegetables rest for five minutes before blending because the steam helps loosen the charred skins and makes for a smoother sauce with fewer bitter bits.
- Brushing the cut sides of the rolls with a little garlic infused olive oil before toasting adds an extra layer of flavor that people will notice but never quite be able to identify.