Pork Sausage and Pepper Hero Sandwiches with Mozzarella

These hearty hero sandwiches are inspired by the classic flavors of an Italian deli. Crumbled Italian pork sausage is cooked with tender peppers and onions, then piled onto mini baguettes that have been brushed with garlic butter and toasted until golden. A blanket of mozzarella cheese melts over the top as the sandwiches bake, creating an irresistible ooey-gooey finish.

Serve these heroes with a simple side salad dressed with Italian dressing for a complete meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to satisfy even the biggest appetites.

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Ingredients

1 unit Tomato PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1.5 ounce Italian DressingView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Long Green PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Italian SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

9 ounce Italian Pork SausageView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce Mixed GreensView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Demi-BaguetteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon (tbsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice the mini baguettes in half lengthwise. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with garlic powder. Spread the garlic butter on the cut sides of the baguettes. Place them on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
2. While the baguettes toast, heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian pork sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving some drippings in the pan.
3. Add the sliced onion and green pepper to the same skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Italian seasoning and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the peppers and onions. Stir to combine and heat through. Remove from heat.
5. Divide the sausage-pepper mixture evenly among the bottom halves of the toasted baguettes. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Place the sandwiches (open-faced) on the baking sheet and return to the oven. Bake for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. While the sandwiches bake, toss the mixed greens with the Italian dressing in a bowl. Serve the hero sandwiches hot, with the side salad on the side. Close the sandwiches with the top halves of the baguettes, if desired.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute with chicken or turkey Italian sausage or even a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover sandwiches (without the salad) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to restore crispness.

Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time?

You can prepare the sausage and pepper mixture up to 2 days in advance. Assemble and bake the sandwiches just before serving for the best texture.