Hot Italian Sausage Sandwiches with Garlicky Marinara

These hearty sandwich rolls are loaded with savory Italian flavors, along with gooey, cheesy texture on the inside and crunchy, toasted bread on the outside. It all combines for a delicious, garlicky, wonderfully messy casual dinner for two—or slice the rolls into 4 pieces each to make 8 appetizers.

When you’re serving a hearty main dish like these sandwiches, keep the side dish light and fresh. I served these rolls with Cress and Cabbage Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing.

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 2 6- to 7-inch hoagie rolls, sliced lengthwise, insides hollowed out
• olive oil for brushing, plus 1 tbsp
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 fresno chiles, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green bell pepper
• 3/4 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 tsp dried red chile flakes
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 hot Italian sausages, pricked with a fork (about 1/2 lb total)
• 3/4 cup shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese

Marinara Ingredients

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2. Place the rolls cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Brush edges with oil and turn cut-side down. Bake 3-4 minutes until toasted and golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and turn the rolls cut-side up. Set aside.

Hollowed-Out Rolls Ready to Bake

Baked Rolls

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic, Fresno chiles, onion,  and bell pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes, parsley, and chile flakes and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook slowly until thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Vegetables and Garlic Beginning to Cook

Cooked Marinara Vegetables and Garlic

Garlicky Marinara

1. Meanwhile, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Season the sausages with salt and pepper and grill, turning several times, until cooked through and slightly charred on all sides, 15-20 minutes, depending on thickness.
2. Add the sausages to the marinara and turn several times to coat. Place 1 sausage in the bottom half of each toasted roll and divide the marinara on top. Divide the cheese and place on top of the rolls.

Sausages Beginning to Grill

Grilled Sausages

Sausages in Marinara

Cheese Ready to Melt

Bake until the sandwiches are hot throughout and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Remove to a cutting board. Slice each roll in half and divide between 2 plates. Serve right away.

Baked Sandwiches

Hot Italian Sausage Sandwiches with Garlicky Marinara