Grilled Sausage Grinders With Tomato Sauce (Printer-friendly)
Juicy grilled sausages in crusty rolls topped with smoky charred tomato sauce for a hearty, summer-packed 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, cut 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)
# How to Make It:
01 - Set your outdoor or stovetop grill to medium-high heat and allow it to reach full temperature.
02 - Generously brush the tomato halves, onion rings, bell pepper quarters, and garlic cloves with olive oil on all sides.
03 - Place the sausages on the hot grill. Turn occasionally and cook for 12 to 15 minutes 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. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until charred and softened.
05 - Transfer the grilled tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic to a food processor or blender. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. 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. Toast for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly crisped.
07 - Place a grilled sausage in each toasted roll. Spoon a generous amount of the grilled tomato sauce over the top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan if desired.
08 - Return the assembled grinders to the grill, close the lid, and heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from the grill, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The grilled tomato sauce tastes like summer condensed into a single smoky, sweet spoonful.
- Everything cooks on one grill, which means almost zero cleanup and maximum flavor.
02 -
- Do not move the tomatoes too early on the grill because they need uninterrupted contact with the hot grates to develop that deep charred flavor.
- Letting the sauce rest for five minutes before assembling helps the flavors marry and thickens it slightly so it does not soak through the rolls.
03 -
- Keep a spray bottle of water near the grill because sausage flare-ups are inevitable and a quick spritz saves the char without moving the meat.
- Toasting the rolls is the step most people skip but it creates a barrier that prevents the sauce from turning your sandwich into a soggy mess within minutes.