Grilled Sausage Grinders With Tomato (Printable)
Juicy grilled sausages in crusty rolls topped with smoky charred tomato sauce and melted cheese.
# 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, sliced 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 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/4 teaspoon 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 - Brush the tomato halves, onion rings, bell pepper quarters, and garlic cloves generously with olive oil on all sides.
03 - Place the Italian sausages on the hot grill. Turn occasionally and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until 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 throughout.
05 - Transfer the grilled tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic to a food processor or blender. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper. Pulse until a chunky, rustic sauce forms.
06 - Split each hoagie roll open and place face-down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden and crisp.
07 - Place a grilled sausage in each toasted roll. Spoon a generous amount of the grilled tomato sauce over each sausage and 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 Hints:
01 -
- The grilled tomato sauce tastes like summer condensed into a single bite, and it requires almost zero effort beyond letting the grill do its thing.
- Everything cooks on the same grill at the same time, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
02 -
- Do not move the tomatoes too soon after placing them on the grill, because they need uninterrupted contact with the grates to develop that deep char flavor.
- Skipping the rest time on the sausages means juices run everywhere when you bite in, so let them sit for two minutes off the grill.
03 -
- If your tomatoes are not very ripe, add a pinch of sugar to the sauce after blending to round out the acidity.
- Pressing down lightly on the sausages with a spatula while grilling creates more surface area for that irresistible crispy exterior.