Italian Sausage Tailgate Heroes Recipes

ITALIAN SAUSAGE MEATBALL HEROES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Mix sausage meat,1/2 cup marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons parsley, and 2 tablespoons basil in large bowl.
• Using wet hands, shape mixture into 8 meatballs.
• Bring 2 tablespoons parsley, 2 tablespoons basil, remaining marinara, and meatballs to boil in large skillet.
• Cover; reduce heat; simmer until meatballs are cooked through, turning often, for about 20 minutes.
• Place baguette bottoms on a baking sheet; spread each with about 2 tablespoons sauce from the skillet.
• Cut meatballs in half in skillet; overlap 4 halves on each baguette bottom. Spoon remaining sauce over meatballs.
• Sprinkle mozzarella over top, dividing equally.
• Bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining parsley and basil.
• Cover with baguette tops.

GRILLED SAUSAGE AND PEPPER HEROES

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a small jar or other lidded container. Shake to combine. Soak 2 long wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes (alternatively, use metal skewers).
• Preheat a small grill to medium-high heat and brush with olive oil. Brush the peppers and onions with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dressing. Stick the skewers through the sausage ring at a perpendicular angle to each other (in an X). Place the sausage ring in the middle of the grill and cook until the underside is charred, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Flip the sausage ring with tongs and a spatula and arrange the peppers around the ring. Grill the sausage until browned and crispy in places and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board. Add the onion rings to the empty space on the grill. Cook the peppers and onions until crisp-tender and charred on the edges, about 4 minutes per side (the peppers will come off first, since you put them on first). Transfer the vegetables to a cutting board as they finish cooking.
• Brush the cut sides of the rolls with olive oil and grill, cut-side down, until toasted, about 1 minute. Flip and lay 2 slices of cheese on the grilled cut sides of each roll and cook until the cheese just begins to melt, moving as needed so they don't burn, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove the skewers from the sausage, cut into serving pieces 4 to 5 inches long and divide evenly among the rolls. Cut the peppers into strips and separate the onions into rings. Pile on top of the sausage. Drizzle the heroes with the remaining dressing and serve immediately.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PEPPER HEROES

Steps:

• Grill sausages over hot coals, turning occasionally, until done, about 10 minutes total.
• Remove from grill and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in large skillet, sauté peppers in the olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until vegetables are lightly browned, 10-15 minutes.
• Pepper mixture can be made ahead; reheat to serve or serve at room temperature.
• Place sausage links in hero rolls, generously add sautéed pepper mixture to each sandwich.

ITALIAN TAILGATE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine meat mixture and seasonings.
• Make into 10-12 thin patties and brown in frying pan until done.
• Combine sauce ingredients in crock pot.
• Add browned patties and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
• Serve patties on buns with or without mozzarella or provolone cheese.

ITALIAN HEROES

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, combine the artichoke hearts, garlic and olive oil. Process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Slice the sandwich rolls in half lengthwise, and pull out most of the soft bread from the top and bottom. Spread the artichoke paste onto each side of each roll. Place layers of red peppers, arugula, salami, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, olives and onion into the rolls. Press sandwiches together, and wrap tightly in aluminum foil.
• Place sandwiches in the refrigerator, and place something heavy on top. It helps to place a plate on top, then place cans or any weighted containers on top. I used cottage cheese. Chill for up to 3 hours. Unwrap, cut in half and enjoy.