Grilled Sausage Grinders (Printable Version)
Smoky grilled sausages on crusty rolls with charred tomato sauce — a hearty summer sandwich.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Spices & 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
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
# How to Make:
01 - Set your outdoor or stovetop grill to medium-high heat and allow it to reach full temperature before cooking.
02 - Brush the tomato halves, onion rings, bell pepper quarters, and garlic cloves generously with olive oil on all sides to ensure even charring.
03 - Place the Italian sausages on the hot grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked through with a nicely charred exterior.
04 - While the sausages cook, grill the tomatoes cut side down along with the onion, bell pepper, and garlic for 5 to 7 minutes per side until charred and softened throughout.
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 open and place them face-down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly crisp.
07 - Arrange a grilled sausage in each toasted roll and spoon a generous amount of the grilled tomato sauce over the top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
08 - Place the assembled grinders back on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheeses are fully melted and bubbling.
09 - Remove from the grill, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The grilled tomato sauce tastes like nothing from a jar, smoky and sweet with charred edges that give it real personality.
- Everything cooks on one grill so your kitchen stays clean and the cleanup is almost nothing.
- It turns cheap ingredients into a sandwich that rivals anything from a deli counter.
02 -
- Do not move the tomatoes too early because they will stick and tear. Wait until they release naturally from the grate.
- Blend the sauce in short pulses rather than running the machine continuously because a completely smooth sauce loses the rustic texture that makes this special.
03 -
- Grill extra tomatoes and blend a double batch of sauce because it freezes beautifully and tastes incredible on pasta or eggs later.
- Cheese is optional in the recipe but trust me, the lid closed melt step transforms the sandwich from very good to genuinely unforgettable.