Italian Sausage Sandwich

You know that delicious loaded Italian sausage sandwich from your favorite fair food vendor? This is that, but way better. Made with savory Italian sausage links, crispy brat buns and sauteed onions and peppers, this recipe goes one step further by cooking everything in a savory-sweet spaghetti sauce for a little extra flavor and juicy Italian goodness. Serve with a side of crispy french fries to really do up the whole fair food theme.

Italian Sausage Sandwich Ingredients

• Italian sausage links: Opt for sweet Italian sausage if you can’t handle spicy foods, but we recommend going all in on a spicy Italian sausage sandwich.
• Veggies and herbs: You’ll be slicing green peppers into strips, onions into thin slices and using dried basil for extra Italian-inspired flavor.
• Liquids: Although there isn’t really a sauce that you pour over these sandwiches, you are cooking the meat and veggies in a bit of tomato sauce. To get that hearty Italian flavor, you’ll be using olive oil and spaghetti sauce (make your own to have on hand – it’s so flavorful).
• Brat buns: Split and toast the buns before serving.
• Italian cheese blend: A thick, gooey cheesy topping simply makes these Italian sausage sandwiches.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the sausages

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Place sausages in water in a large skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover; cook for five to 10 minutes longer, or until meat is no longer pink; drain. Remove the sausages.

Step 2: Cook the veggies

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In the same skillet, saute pepper and onion in oil until tender. Return sausages to pan. Stir in spaghetti sauce and basil, heating through until sauce is bubbly.

Step 3: Assemble the sandwiches

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Slice and toast buns. Put hot sausages in the buns, top with sauce and cheese.

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Recipe Variations

• Grill the sausage: For a nice, rich flavor, pop the meat on the grill until the sausages are cooked. The result will be a crispier sausage link, but it’s absolutely delicious. Grill the onions and peppers as well, if you’d like.
• Add fresh herbs: Fresh basil or parsley are especially yummy as a garnish.
• Bring on the veggies: Peppers and onions are a must, but sauteing mushrooms or even thin slices of potatoes is particularly tasty loaded on top.

How to Store Italian Sausage Sandwiches

It’s best to store any leftovers in separate containers, not as a pre-made sandwich, as the sauce will make the bread too mushy. To do this, put sausage and veggies/sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last like this for three to four days. Assemble the sandwiches as above when ready for leftovers.

How do you reheat an Italian sausage sandwich?

To reheat any leftovers, simply put sausages and veggies/sauce in a skillet and heat on medium, stirring occasionally. It’s done when the sauce is bubbling and the sausage is heated through.

Italian Sausage Sandwich Tips

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What type of condiments go well with these sandwiches?

Yellow mustard, mayo lightly spread on the bun and even ketchup drizzled over the top (try making your own for an extra kick of flavor) are all popular ways to add flavor to your sandwich.

Can I make these vegan?

These can absolutely be made vegan. To do so, simply swap out the Italian sausage for your favorite vegan Italian sausage links, and either skip the cheese or top with your favorite vegan shredded cheese.

What should I serve with Italian sausage sandwiches?

You can either serve it with a light and crispy green side salad, or go all-in on the fair food theme and serve it with piping hot and crispy fried onion rings or homemade fries.