Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Hoagie

The Grilled Sausage and Peppers Hoagie is a true masterpiece of handheld culinary art, featuring a variety of robust flavors and textures. This exquisite sandwich begins with succulent Italian sausages, vibrant peppers, and a homemade marinara sauce’s rich flavors. Each element is prepared with the utmost care, from the slow-simmered sauce that bursts with the freshness of basil and oregano to the perfectly grilled sausages and peppers that bring a smoky depth to the ensemble.

The foundation of this dish is an exquisite marinara sauce, which is a testament to the simplicity and elegance of Italian cooking. High quality extra virgin olive oil, onions, and garlic form the base, sautéed until fragrant. Then they are married with crushed tomatoes and simmered into a thick, flavorful sauce. The addition of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while fresh basil and oregano infuse the sauce with their unmistakable herbal brightness. This sauce acts as a moistening agent and a flavor enhancer, its rich, tangy notes complementing the meat and vegetables.

The sausage and peppers are treated with the respect they deserve, grilled whole to achieve a charred exterior that seals in their juices and flavors. The sausages, with their spicy and savory notes, become irresistibly juicy and tender, while the peppers transform into sweet, slightly blistered strips that add a colorful contrast and a hint of vegetal sweetness to the dish. Once grilled, they are sliced into bite-sized pieces, ensuring that each mouthful is a harmonious blend of smoky, meaty, and sweet flavors.

Assembling the hoagie is the best part, layering the sliced sausages and peppers atop a sturdy hoagie roll, each chosen for its ability to stand up to the generous fillings and sauce. The rolls are lightly toasted, their surfaces crisping up to provide the necessary texture and flavor contrast to the soft, juicy filling. The warm marinara sauce is then ladled over, seeping into the bread and mingling with the meat and vegetables. A lavish topping of shredded Monterey Jack cheese completes the picture, melting under the broiler into a stretchy, gooey layer that blankets the sandwich in creamy richness.

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The final touch, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, adds a pop of color and a fresh, clean flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheese and the tanginess of the sauce, lifting the dish and rounding out the flavors.

Each bite of a Grilled Sausage and Peppers Hoagie is a journey through layers of texture and taste, from the crisp exterior of the bread to the soft, flavorful filling and the creamy, melted cheese. It’s a celebration of traditional Italian ingredients brought together innovatively and satisfyingly. It’s perfect for a casual lunch, a hearty dinner, or any occasion that calls for a comforting and elevated meal. This dish is a reminder of the joy of cooking and the pleasure of eating, a tribute to the power of simple ingredients to create something truly extraordinary.

Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Hoagie

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 2 votes

Course: MainsCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

The Grilled Sausage and Peppers Hoagie is a hearty, flavor-packed sandwich featuring char-grilled Italian sausages and peppers, smothered in a rich, herb-infused marinara and melted Monterey Jack cheese, all nestled in a toasted hoagie roll.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausages

• 4 hoagie rolls

• 1 large red bell pepper

• 1 large green bell pepper

• 1 large poblano pepper

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cups Monterey jack cheese, shredded

• 2 cups marinara sauce

• for garnish, fresh parsley

• For the Marinara Sauce

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon basil, freshly chopped

• 1 tablespoon oregano, freshly chopped

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

Directions

• Cook Onion and Garlic:
  Heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Simmer Marinara Sauce:
  Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, and ground pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-30 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld. Adjust seasoning to taste. Before the sauce is finished, stir in the fresh basil and oregano and incorporate until wilted.
• Grill Sausage and Peppers:
  Preheat the grill to medium-high. Lightly oil the whole sausages and whole peppers. Grill them, turning occasionally, until the sausages are fully cooked and have nice char marks, and the peppers are charred and softened, about 10-15 minutes.
• Slice Sausages and Peppers:
  Remove sausages and peppers from the grill. Let them cool slightly for handling, then slice the sausages into rounds and the peppers into strips. Make sure to stem and seed the peppers in the process.
• Assemble the Hoagies:
  Cut the hoagie rolls in half and lightly toast them, cut-side down, on the grill. On each roll’s bottom half, evenly distribute the sliced sausages and peppers. Generously top with warm marinara sauce, then cover with shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
  
  For melted cheese, broil the open-faced sandwiches briefly, being careful not to let it burn.
• Serve:
  Once the cheese is melted, serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and a burst of freshness.

Notes

• For a quicker version of this sandwich, feel free to substitute store-bought marinara sauce.