“Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs”

How is your week starting out? Hope it’s calm and eventful. I’m in the middle of a project, so I later binged watched a little tv, Outlander to be exact. I have a fondness for Scotland although I’ve never been there yet hope to visit one day. That said, are you planning your meals for the week? My Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs make a great weeknight meal and a tasty one at that. Smothered in tomato sauce laden with onions, green and red bell pepper and fresh fennel and topped with cheese.

What can I say because I’d rather binge-watch without having to keep pressing pause in the middle of every episode.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs

When I had the good fortune of buying my house, I needed friends to help me move in. Instead of paying cash for their help, my friends asked me to cook for them as payment.

The sausage subs were what I made and they ate themselves silly. Bought chips and beer to go along with and they were happy campers. A long hard, busy day ended with great friends and great food. Most importantly, I got to do what I love to do, celebrating with food and friends.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs

Let’s get on with recipe. Start with your favorite Italian sausage brand like Johnsonville. My market happens to make their own and it’s very good. Most relevant, if you find homemade Italian sausages, they are sometimes better than name brands. Give them a try and find you favorite if you haven’t already.

You can make the sausages ahead of time and serve later. Start by browning sausages in a bit of oil until browned on all sides. Remove from pot and set aside. In the same pot, add in peppers, onion, and fennel. Saute vegetables until just beginning to soften.

Not sure what fennel is? Click on fennel to find out more from a favorite website, Loveandlemons.com. Fennel is somewhat sweet and has a slight anise flavor whether raw or cooked. Try thinly sliced fennel in salads, too.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs

Next, add sausages back to pot and add in the rest of ingredients. Simmer covered until sauce is thickened, adjusting seasoning as needed. Sausages will be fork tender and vegetables soft.

When ready to serve, warm French rolls in oven. Place  sausages on rolls and spoon sauce with vegetables and adding cheese last. Place subs under broiler until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown. Serve with your side of choice. Don’t forget the Giardiniera for a spicy kick.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs

Lastly, you can make these Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs ahead of time and refrigerate for the next day. Heat in a pan the portions you’ll be serving. Microwave reheating will work as well yet stovetop is better.

Since we’re in the middle of March Madness, these subs are perfect for a viewing party and letting  everybody serve themselves if desired. Mini French rolls can be used for smaller subs by cutting sausages in half.

Heck, make a pan and serve at once to feed the hungry mouths and have some fun to boot. Whether weeknight, or party, you can’t go wrong with sausage subs. Add this sub recipe to your weekly meal plan. You’ll be glad you did. Enjoy!

Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs

Cheesy Italian Sausage Subs

6 fresh Italian sausage links

3 T. Olive oil, divided

1 yellow onion, sliced (¼-inch) root to end

1 bulb fresh fennel, trimmed, sliced (1/4-inch)

1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips

1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips

2 garlic cloves, minced

14.5 oz. can thick and zesty tomato sauce (used Contadina) plus ½ can water

1 t. granulated sugar, optional

1 t. Tuscan Sunset or Italian seasoning

½ t. red pepper flakes to taste

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

6 French rolls, split

Mozzarella or provolone cheese, as desired

Giardiniera, for serving, optional

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in sausages and cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove to plate and set aside.

Using same pot, add in 1 T. olive oil, onion, fennel, and bell peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally until beginning to soften, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, cooking until fragrant about 1 minute.

Add in tomato sauce, water, sugar, if using, seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

Nestle sausages in tomato sauce, reduce heat to low simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes. Warm rolls wrapped in foil at 325 for 15 – 20 minutes.

When ready to serve, heat broiler then place sausage in roll with vegetables and sauce. Place cheese on top as desired and under broiler on a foil lined pan until bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with giardiniera, if desired.

Makes 6 servings.