Italian Sausage Sandwiches Recipe

Some dinners are just guaranteed wins – the kind that have everyone at the table (including the picky eaters) leaning in for seconds. These Italian Sausage Sandwiches are exactly that. Juicy sausages, sweet caramelized onions, tender peppers, melty cheese, and marinara sauce all tucked into a warm roll… it’s the stuff of weeknight dinner dreams! Best part? You can make them however it fits your day – on the stovetop, in the Instant Pot, or in the slow cooker for a ready-to-go dinner after sports practice.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Family-friendly – Kids love the mild Italian sausage, and you can spice it up for adults with hot sausage or crushed red pepper.

• Flexible cooking methods – Whether you’ve got 30 minutes or you need to set it and forget it, there’s a version for you.

• Minimal ingredients, big flavor – You only need a handful of fresh ingredients plus your favorite marinara.

• Perfect for leftovers – They reheat beautifully, making lunch the next day just as exciting.

• Crowd-pleaser – Easy to double for a party, game day, or casual gathering.

Tips for Success

• Get fresh sausages from the deli if you can – 8-10 is perfect for leftovers. You can also grab a 5-pack from the meat section for a smaller batch.

• Slice veggies evenly so they cook at the same rate and get that perfect soft-and-sweet texture.

• Toast the buns for extra flavor and to help them hold up to the saucy goodness.

• Don’t skimp on cheese – provolone melts beautifully, but mozzarella works if that’s what you have on hand.

• For extra flavor – add a splash of red wine to the pan before adding the marinara, scraping up the browned bits.

Customizations

• Spicy Kick – Use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes.

• Veggie Boost – Toss in mushrooms or zucchini along with the peppers.

• Low-Carb Option – Serve the sausage and peppers over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

• Different Cheeses – Try fontina, asiago, or even pepper jack for a twist.

Serving Suggestions

• With a side of chips, freezer fries or perfectly roasted potatoes.

• Pair with a simple side salad for a fresh crunch.

• For game day, cut the sausages into halves or thirds and serve on slider buns.

• Add a little dish of extra marinara on the side for dipping.

If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy:

• 5 ingredient beer brats
• Cuban pulled pork sliders
• 5 ingredient beef dip sandwich

However you cook them -stovetop, Instant Pot, or slow cooker -these Italian Sausage Sandwiches are the kind of simple, satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table and has them asking for seconds

What’s your favorite kind of sandwich? Let me know in the comments below!

Italian Sausage Sandwiches recipe

Easy Italian Sausage Sandwiches made with peppers, onions, marinara, and melty cheese. Stovetop, Instant Pot, or slow cooker recipe for a quick, family-friendly dinner.

5 from 4 votes

Print Rate

Servings: 5

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion (red or yellow) thinly sliced
• 2 bell peppers (any color, I like red and orange) thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder optional
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional
• 6-10 Italian sausages or 5 if making a smaller batch, you can buy them in a pack of 5 or get fresh ones from the deli
• 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
• Brat buns or sub rolls, however many sausages you have, 1 sausage per bun
• Provolone cheese or mozzarella cheese slices - 1 slice per bun or shredded cheese

Instructions

Stovetop Method

• Heat EVOO in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and peppers, cooking until onions are translucent and peppers are starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
  
• Add sausages and cook until browned and cooked through, about 10–12 minutes. You could also grill your sausages and then add them to the onions/pepper/sauce.
• Stir in garlic salt, kosher salt, and Italian seasoning. Pour in marinara sauce, simmer 5 minutes.
  
• Serve sausages in buns topped with pepper mixture, a spoonful of sauce, and cheese.
  

Instant Pot Method

• On sauté setting, cook onions and peppers in EVOO for 12 minutes total, adding sausages after the first 5 minutes.
• Stir in seasonings and marinara sauce.
• Secure lid, cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, quick release.
• Serve sausages in buns topped with pepper mixture, a spoonful of sauce, and cheese.

Slow Cooker Method

• Optional: brown sausages and onions in EVOO in a skillet for extra flavor before adding in to slow cooker, about 5 minutes.
• Add sausages, onions, peppers, seasonings, and marinara to slow cooker.
• Cook on high 3–4 hours or low 6–8 hours.
• Serve sausages in buns topped with pepper mixture, a spoonful of sauce, and cheese.