Quick and Easy Italian Sausage on a Bun combines spicy chicken sausage, roasted peppers, and sweet onions, all served up on a warm toasty bun with marinara and mozzarella.
This Sausage on a Bun recipe could not be any simpler. It actually took only 10 minutes to prep (maybe less) and was full of flavor. It's definitely on rotation at our house!
- Emily E.
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Bailey's Thoughts ...
I thought about dressing this recipe up with a fancy name like "Italian Bistro Subs" or "Provencal Sausage Baguettes," but let's keep it real. This recipe is all about minimal effort, so "Italian Sausage on a Bun" it is. Straightforward, no-nonsense, and way more delicious than it sounds.
Here’s the deal: You’re looking at a meal that requires just 10 minutes of prep and 6 ingredients. Spicy Italian Chicken sausage, sweet roasted peppers, and onions, all tossed onto a single sheet pan and baked to perfection and piled onto a toasty warm bun. To take it up a notch, we’re adding marinara and mozzarella, baked until bubbly and golden.
Whether it’s for a lazy weeknight or a low-key dinner with friends, this is one of those recipes that hits all the right notes—big flavor, minimal effort. And the best part? It’s totally kid-friendly, making it a lifesaver when you just need everyone fed without any drama.
-Bailey
Ingredients
- Bell Peppers - Go for red, yellow, or orange bell peppers for a sweeter flavor.
- Onions - I like using sweet onions for a milder flavor, slice them thin for even roasting.
- Olive Oil - Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil
- Marinara - Rao's is my favorite brand, and widely available in most regions. It can be pricey - use what makes the best sense for your family.
- Fully Cooked Italian Chicken Sausage - Aidells is my favorite brand, and you can usually find it at most grocery stores. If Aidells isn’t available, any fully cooked Italian chicken sausage will work just as well.
- Italian Roll - Choose a soft Italian roll with a slightly crisp crust, perfect for soaking up all those delicious juices while still holding its shape.
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese - Opt for fresh mozzarella for the best melt and creamy texture.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 2: Thinly slice the bell peppers and onions, then toss them in a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the veggies in an even layer on the prepared sheet pan.
- Step 3: Slice the sausages into ½-inch rounds and nestle them among the peppers and onions on the sheet pan. Roast until the sausages are cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer everything to a large mixing bowl.
- Step 4: Prepare your buns by brushing them with olive oil and seasoning them generously with salt and pepper. Place the buns on the same sheet pan you used for the veggies and bake until a crisp crust forms.
- Step 5: Add the diced mozzarella and marinara sauce to the mixing bowl with the roasted sausage and veggies. Stir until everything is well combined. Spoon a generous portion of the mixture onto each toasted bun, then wrap each sandwich in aluminum foil.
- Step 6: Place the wrapped sandwiches back in the oven and bake until the cheese is fully melted.
Top Tip
When choosing the perfect bun for your Italian Sausage on a Bun, go for a sturdy, crusty option like ciabatta or a hoagie roll. These breads can hold up to the juicy sausage and saucy toppings without getting soggy.
Substitutions
Bell Peppers - use any color of bell peppers that you have on hand, if bell peppers aren't available zucchini or yellow squash can work.
Onions - swap sweet onions with yellow or red onions, shallots can also work if you prefer a milder taste.
Olive Oil - avocado is a great alternative for roasting. You can also use grape seed oil or canola oil, though they have a milder flavor. For a more robust flavor, try using a garlic infused olive oil.
Italian Roll - sub with a soft hoagie roll or a baguette
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese - shredded mozzarella can be used for convenience. Provolone, fontina, or even a mild cheddar could be substituted for a different flavor.
Marinara - Any tomato-based sauce will work, such as pizza sauce or even a homemade tomato sauce.
Sausage - substitute the chicken sausage with any fully cooked sausage you like, such as pork, turkey, or plant-based sausages.
Variations
Gluten free - use gluten free rolls or buns, you can also serve the sausage and veggies over gluten free pasta, rice or polenta.
Low Carb/Keto - skip the roll and serve the sausage and roasted veggies on a bed of sautéed spinach or zucchini noodles. Opt for full-fat mozzarella to keep it keto-friendly. Make sure the marinara sauce is low-carb or use a keto-friendly sauce like a sugar-free marinara.
Vegetarian - replace the Italian chicken sausage with a plant-based sausage or grilled portobello mushrooms. Use a vegetarian friendly mozzarella, or substitute with a plant-based cheese if avoiding dairy.
Spicy - use hot Italian chicken sausage, add sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes to the roasted vegetables and sub out marinara for arrabbiata sauce.
Pesto - replace the marinara with a generous spread of basil pesto. Add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted cherry tomatoes to the vegetable mix. Top with fresh arugula before serving.
Equipment
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- Rimmed Baking Sheet - any baking sheet will work - I've used this one for years
- Mixing Bowls - I have this set and use them daily. I like that each bowl has a fitted lid, it's perfect for meal prep.
- Sharp Knife - This is a large knife, but I cut everything with it.
- Cutting Board - I just purchased these, they are inexpensive and easy to store
- Tongs - If you don't have tongs, you absolutely need to grab a pair. I like having a small and large size.
Storage
Refrigerator: Wrap each assembled sandwich in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, you can place the foil-wrapped sandwich in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can unwrap the sandwich and microwave it for 1-2 minutes, though the bread may become softer.m
FAQ'S: Italian Sausage on a Bun
Yes, you can. Assemble the sandwiches, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil, but do not broil. To reheat, place the frozen sandwiches, still wrapped, in a preheated one at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
Absolutely! You can prepare the roasted veggies and sausage ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you're ready to eat, simply reheat the mixture, assemble the sandwiches, and broil.
To avoid soggy bread, you can lightly toast the rolls before assembling the sandwiches. Additionally, make sure not to over-saturate the bread with marinara sauce, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
This dish pairs well with a simple green salad, roasted potatoes, or a side of garlic bread.
If you prefer to use raw sausage, you’ll need to cook it thoroughly before adding it to the recipe. Cook the sausage in a skillet or bake it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Related
Looking for other super quick recipes? Try These.
Recipe
Sheet Pan Italian Sausage Gyros
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 Sandwiches
Description
Quick and Easy Italian Sausage on A Bun combines spicy chicken sausage, roasted peppers, and sweet onions, all served up on a warm toasty bun with marinara and mozzarella.
Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 Italian sausages, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 4 sandwich buns
- ¾ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, diced into ¼-inch cubes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
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Place the 2 thinly sliced bell peppers and 1 thinly sliced onion directly on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss everything together on the sheet pan until well coated. Spread the peppers and onions out in a single layer.
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Nestle the 12 ounces sliced sausage among the peppers and onions on the baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the sausages are golden and the vegetables are tender. Remove from the oven and transfer everything to a large mixing bowl.
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Brush 4 buns with the remaining olive oil and season them generously with salt and pepper. Place the buns on the same baking sheet and bake in the oven at 425°F for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
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Add ¾ cup marinara sauce and ½ cup diced mozzarella to the mixing bowl with the roasted sausage and vegetables. Stir until everything is well combined. Spoon a generous portion of the mixture onto each toasted bun.
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Wrap each sandwich in aluminum foil and place them back in the oven. Bake at 425°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
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Unwrap the sandwiches and serve warm.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free buns and double-check that your sausages and marinara sauce are gluten-free.
- Vegetarian: replace the Italian chicken sausage with a plant-based sausage or grilled portobello mushrooms. Use a vegetarian friendly mozzarella, or substitute with a plant-based cheese if avoiding dairy.
- Keto-Friendly: Skip the buns and serve the sausage, peppers, and onions over a bed of cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a low-carb, keto-friendly meal.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The sausage and veggie mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the mixture, toast the buns, and assemble.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 LARGE Sandwich
- Calories: 929
- Sugar: 14.9 g
- Sodium: 3747 mg
- Fat: 47.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 54.1 g
- Protein: 69.5 g
- Cholesterol: 386.3 mg
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