Grilled Sausage Grinders (Printable)
Charred sausages in crusty rolls topped with smoky grilled tomato sauce for a hearty summer sandwich.
# What You'll 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
07 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional
→ Dairy
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, optional
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
→ Spices and Condiments
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Set your outdoor or stovetop grill to medium-high heat and allow it to reach full temperature.
02 - Brush the tomato halves, onion rings, bell pepper quarters, and garlic cloves generously with olive oil on all sides.
03 - Place the sausages on the hot grill and cook, turning occasionally, until cooked through and charred on the outside, 12 to 15 minutes.
04 - While the sausages cook, grill the tomatoes cut side down, along with the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until charred and softened, 5 to 7 minutes per side.
05 - Transfer the grilled tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic to a food processor or blender. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes, then season with salt and black pepper. Pulse until a chunky, rustic sauce forms.
06 - Split the hoagie rolls and place them face-down on the grill. Toast for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly crisp.
07 - Place a grilled sausage on each toasted roll. Spoon a generous amount of the grilled tomato sauce over each sausage, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan if desired.
08 - Return the assembled grinders to the grill, close the lid, and cook 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 you spent hours on it, but the grill does all the heavy lifting while you relax.
- That smoky char on every element transforms a simple sandwich into something you would happily pay good money for at a restaurant.
- It is endlessly adaptable, so you can swap in whatever sausages or veggies you have on hand without overthinking it.
02 -
- Do not move the tomatoes too soon after placing them on the grill, because patience is what gives you that deep, caramelized char.
- Blending the sauce while the vegetables are still warm helps the flavors marry together beautifully.
03 -
- Cook the sausages and vegetables at the same time so everything comes off the grill hot and ready to assemble.
- Taste the sauce before spooning it on and adjust the salt, because grilled tomatoes can vary wildly in sweetness and acidity.