This Epic Sausage and Peppers Hero is our hero, no doubt.
This has been a staple favorite sandwich in our house ever since we lived in New York City in the late 80s.
Take the time to make the marinara sauce, it really makes a huge difference.
This is as authentic as Little Italy in NYC. To do them right, you’ll need about an hour and a half, but it’s worth every single minute.
SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS HERO IS EASY TO MAKE AT HOME
This Italian sausage sandwich is about as delicious as they come.
Some call it a Sausage and Pepper Roll and some call it a hoagie. It’s classic Italian Street Fair Sausage and Peppers.
Watch us show you how easy it is to make this epic Sausage and Peppers Hero at home!
OTHER EPIC SANDWICH RECIPES
We love a good sandwich here at H2FaL. And man, we have some good ones for you to prepare! Check the recipes out for these scrumptious sandwiches!
- Italian Meatball Sandwich
- Monte Cristo Sandwich with Mornay Sauce
- Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Fried Catfish Po-Boy
- Marinated Grilled Steak Sandwich
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Sandwiches
HOMEMADE MARINA IS KEY FOR SAUSAGE AND ONION HERO
We love to make a batch of our homemade marinara ahead of time and freeze what we don’t use.
This is a recipe that we turn to time and time again, and it is essential when making an authentic Sausage and Peppers Hero.
And it’s not hard to make!
HOW TO COOK THE SAUSAGES
We love to make our epic Sausage and Peppers Hero just like they make them at New York City’s biggest Italian street festival: Feast of San Gennaro.
The flavors are bold and hold nothing back, just like the Big Apple.
This is why we go with hot Italian sausages, but if you prefer sweet sausage, it is without doubt delicious, too. You could even do a mix of them, too. Simply cook them up in a hot skillet with a little oil until nicely browned on the outside. They’ll finish cooking in the marinara.
SIMMER THE SAUSAGES FOR THE BEST FLAVOR
Now this next step is really important.
Simmering the browned sausages in the marinara, with additional onion, garlic, and herbs is what truly makes the Sausage and Pepper Hero one that is epic.
While the sausages simmer, and your stomach starts to grumble, it’s time to make the onions and peppers.
HOW TO PREPARE THE ONIONS AND PEPPERS
Using the same skillet that you used for browning the sausages, add a little more oil, and toss in the onions and peppers.
After they start to soften, toss in the garlic. Now we’re talking.
Once they are nice and soft, about 15 minutes of cooking, add the fresh basil and parsley, and cook for another minute or so.
EXPERT TIP: You can prepare the sausages and onions and peppers a day in advance. Simply reheat in separate skillets before assembling and toasting the sandwiches.
To complete the perfect sausage and peppers hero, we spread a little of the marinara sauce onto an Italian hero roll.
Place a cooked sausage on top of the layer of marinara, and then layer the sausage, then onions and peppers, and then top with sliced mozzarella. Place under the broiler until the cheese has begun to melt and the roll is just getting slightly toasted.
And get ready for the most amazing Sausage and Peppers Hero you will ever try.
SAUSAGE AND PEPPER HERO FAQ’s:
- Can the marinara sauce be frozen? Yes. We freeze our homemade marinara all the time. Keep in the freezer for up to two months.
- What are the Sausage and Peppers Hero calories? This is one of those sandwiches that you eat in moderation. One sandwich is 433calories.
- What is the best type of roll to use? When looking for bread, you want a roll that is slightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. A soft hoagie isn’t the classic roll but is still very good.
If you’re looking to make an epic sandwich that friends and family will be talking about for a long time…you’ve come to the right place.
And when you make this epic sandwich, take a pic and then post it on Instagram and tag @howtofeedaloon and #howtofeedaloon!
Sausage and Peppers Hero
Ingredients
FOR THE SAUSAGES
- ½ cup olive oil
- 12 3 oz hot Italian sausages
- 1 ½ tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 ½ tsp flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium yellow onions peeled and thinly sliced
- 8 cups fresh marinara sauce click for recipe
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
FOR THE PEPPERS AND ONIONS
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large yellow onions peeled, and cut into about 6 or 7 wedges, each.
- 2 red bell peppers seeded, cored, and cut into 6 lengthwise pieces
- 2 green bell peppers seeded, cored, and cut into 6 lengthwise pieces
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 1 ½ tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
FOR THE SANDWICH
- 2 to 3 cups fresh marinara sauce click for recipe
- 12 to 14 thin slices of fresh mozzarella
- 4 crispy Italian hero rolls 6 to 8 inches long (cut the ends off, if you prefer)
Instructions
MAKE AHEAD OF TIME
- Make the marinara sauce and then re-heat in a large pot, preferably a Dutch oven.
MAKE THE SAUSAGES
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot, add the sausages and cook for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally to brown on all sides.
- Using tongs, remove the sausages from the pan and set them aside on a platter.
- Add the onions and reduce heat to medium, cooking the mixture, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes, or until the onions have softened.
- Add the basil, parsley and garlic to the pan and saute for about 2 minuteS.
- Transfer the onion mixture the prepared marinara sauce.
- Place the sausages and any accumulated juices in the pot and mix it well.
- Simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Season the sauce with a healthy pinch of salt and pepper and then set aside.
MAKE THE PEPPERS AND ONIONS
- In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook it for 1 to 2 minutes, or until starting to brown.
- Add the onions and peppers and season with a healthy pinch of salt and pepper.
- Saute them, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until they soften and start to brown.
- Add garlic, basil and parsley and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until the peppers and onions have softened and starting to caramelize. Set aside.
PREPARE THE SANDWICH
- Turn your broiler onto high.
- Open the rolls and place on a baking sheet and add a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom half of each roll. Then place a cooked sausage on the layer of marinara, and then a layer of peppers and onions, and then cover with sliced mozzarella.
- Place under the broiler and cook until the cheese has started to melt and the bread is begining to get toasty on the edges. Remove and serve at once with more marina sauce on the side.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in December of 2016, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, tips, and FAQs in August of 2019.
Go to meal for football game watching! I canโt eat green peppers so I add strips of roasted green chilies – not strictly Italian, but a good alternative. (I also use sweet Italian)
It’s the PERFECT game day grub! Strips of roasted green chiles sound heavenly! A little fusion is always a great way to go! Thank you so much for sharing and for the amazing review! Happy Weekend!!! Kris & Wesley
Iโve said it before and Iโll say it again. U2 deserve your own cooking show on the Food Network. By far, you are more entertaining and interesting than over half the people on there right now. Love your recipes. Watching you makes me happy and smile. Your adoring fan, Kathleen
Kathleen! We can’t even begin to express how much this means to us! We appreciate your love and support so so much! Maybe one day we’ll get a show on Food Network!!! You make us happy! xoxo Kris & Wesley
very few Italians or real sausage and pepper fans put even one spoonful of marinara on their sausage and pepper hero’s, sausage in pasta or other dishes different story
Thanks for the feedback, Doug!