If you love bold, sizzling flavors with an Italian twist, this Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe is going to be your new go-to for weeknight dinners or weekend grilling. It’s quick, packed with juicy sausage, vibrant bell peppers, and melty mozzarella—total comfort food that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t get enough of how effortlessly this sandwich comes together. It’s the perfect balance of smoky grilled sausages with sweet, charred peppers and onions, all topped off with gooey cheese and zesty marinara. Every bite feels like a little celebration!
- Quick and Easy: Ready to serve in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy days or last-minute BBQs.
- Flavor Packed: Juicy Italian sausages paired with charred veggies create a deliciously savory combo.
- Versatile: Use mild or spicy sausages depending on your heat preference, and swap buns as you like.
- Simple Ingredients: Easy to find pantry staples that come together beautifully on the grill.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When you shop for this recipe, try to get fresh, vibrant bell peppers and high-quality Italian sausages—you'll really taste the difference! Here’s a quick rundown of the key ingredients and why they're essential for this dish.

- Italian Sausages: Your main protein star, packed with herbs and spices—pick mild or spicy to suit your taste.
- Red and Yellow Bell Peppers: They add sweetness and lively color, plus they char beautifully on the grill.
- Yellow Onion: Brings natural sweetness and depth when grilled alongside the peppers.
- Olive Oil: Helps coat the veggies for perfect grilling and adds that rich, fruity flavor.
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance every other ingredient's natural taste.
- Marinara Sauce: A tangy, savory topping that brings all the flavors together.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into a creamy blanket over the sandwich for that irresistible gooey finish.
- Buns or Rolls: Choose your favorite kind to hold all that goodness—soft and sturdy is ideal.
- Fresh Basil: Optional but highly recommended for a fresh herbal brightness as a finishing touch.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you like things milder, spicier, or packed with extra veggies, there’s plenty of room for personalization here.
- Try spicy sausages: If you love a bit of heat, use spicy Italian sausages — they add a wonderful kick without overpowering the peppers and onions. I love this combo for an extra flavor punch!
- Vegetarian twist: Swap the sausages for grilled portobello mushrooms or a plant-based Italian sausage to keep all the smoky, charred goodness but make it vegetarian-friendly.
- Seasonal veggies: Feel free to add zucchini or eggplant slices alongside the peppers and onions for a more colorful, nutrient-packed sandwich in summer.
- Cheese alternatives: Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a slightly different flavor and melt experience. For a dairy-free option, try vegan cheese that melts well.
- Gluten-free adaptation: Use gluten-free buns or hearty lettuce leaves as wraps for those avoiding gluten.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe

Step 1: Heating Up the Grill Just Right
Start by preheating your grill to medium heat. This is the sweet spot that lets the sausages cook through evenly without burning on the outside, and also gives the peppers and onions a beautiful char. A well-heated grill makes all the difference in flavor and texture!
Step 2: Seasoning the Veggies with Love
While the grill warms up, thinly slice your red and yellow bell peppers along with the yellow onion. Toss these vibrant veggies gently in a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil, half a teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. This simple seasoning lets their natural sweetness shine through once grilled.
Step 3: Perfectly Grilling the Italian Sausages
Place the sausages directly on the grill grates and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side. You'll want to see those signature grill marks and hear that satisfying sizzle. The key is patience — cook them until thoroughly done but juicy inside. Once cooked, remove them and tent loosely with foil to keep warm without drying out.
Step 4: Achieving Charred, Tender Peppers and Onions
While the sausages cook, place your seasoned peppers and onions in a grill basket and set over medium heat. Give them a good toss every few minutes to ensure even cooking. In about 7 to 10 minutes, they’ll soften up and develop those beautiful charred spots that add smoky depth to the sandwich.
Step 5: Assembling and Melting to Perfection
Time to build your sandwich! Place each grilled sausage inside a bun or roll of your choice. Pile on those charred peppers and onions, then spoon on two tablespoons of marinara sauce. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese — the final touch for creamy, melty goodness. Pop the assembled sandwiches back on the grill over indirect medium-high heat or under a broiler for 1 to 2 minutes just until the cheese melts beautifully.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Warm
If you have fresh basil on hand, tear a few leaves and add them on top for a fresh, aromatic finish. Serve these warm, satisfying sandwiches right away — they’re perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend grilling party.
Top Tip
These tips come from my many adventures grilling Italian sausages and peppers—they’ll help you nail this recipe every time with ease and delicious results.
- Choose Your Sausage Wisely: I’ve found that whether you opt for mild or spicy Italian sausages really sets the tone for your sandwich, so pick the heat that suits your crowd best.
- Use a Grill Basket for Veggies: Tossing peppers and onions directly on the grill can be messy. A grill basket keeps everything contained and lets you flip veggies easily without losing any onto the coals.
- Tent Sausages to Keep Warm: After grilling, loosely tent your sausages with foil instead of wrapping tightly. This keeps them warm and juicy without drying out—trust me, it makes a difference!
- Don’t Skip the Cheese Melting Step: A quick minute or two under indirect grill heat or the broiler to melt that mozzarella cheese really takes the sandwich from great to unforgettable.
How to Serve Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe

Garnishes
Fresh basil leaves are a classic choice that add a bright, herbal note to balance the hearty sausage and melted cheese. If you want to mix it up, chopped fresh parsley or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze can be fantastic finishing touches.
Side Dishes
Serve your Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe with simple, refreshing sides like a crisp green salad or coleslaw to add crunch and contrast. Roasted potatoes or buttery corn on the cob are also wonderful warm-weather companions that round out this fulfilling meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your sandwiches, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days, making for quick and tasty meals later in the week.
Freezing
If you want to save some for longer, wrap sausages and grilled veggies tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in freezer bags. They freeze well for up to 2 months. For best flavor, freeze components separately and assemble fresh when ready to eat.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your sausage and veggies on the grill over medium heat or in a skillet until heated through. Assemble sandwiches fresh and give the mozzarella a quick melt under a broiler or on the grill to regain that ooey-gooey goodness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can cook the sausages and vegetables on a stovetop grill pan or a regular skillet over medium heat. The flavors will still be delicious, just without the smoky char from outdoor grilling.
Soft yet sturdy buns like hoagie rolls, Italian rolls, or even Kaiser rolls hold up well to the juicy sausages and saucy toppings without falling apart.
Yes! You can slice and season the peppers and onions a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated. Grilling the sausages and veggies right before serving ensures everything stays fresh and flavorful.
Definitely. Use gluten-free buns or rolls, and double-check your marinara sauce to ensure it’s gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe is one of those perfect meals that bring everyone together—flavorful, fun to make, and satisfying to eat. Whether it’s a sunny weekend cookout or a busy weeknight, this recipe delivers hearty comfort with a touch of Italian flair. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do!
Print
Grilled Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A classic and flavorful recipe featuring grilled Italian sausages served with charred bell peppers and onions, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese on fresh buns. Perfect for a hearty and delicious meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Sausages
- 4 mild or spicy Italian sausages
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- ½ cup marinara sauce or your favorite store bought sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 buns or rolls of choice
- Fresh basil for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat to prepare for cooking the sausages and vegetables.
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced red and yellow bell peppers and yellow onion with olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Set the seasoned vegetables aside.
- Grill the Sausages: Place the Italian sausages directly on the grill grates. Grill them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they are cooked through. Once cooked, remove the sausages and keep warm by tenting with foil or placing on a rack over indirect heat on the grill.
- Grill the Vegetables: While sausages cook, place the prepared vegetables in a grill basket over medium heat. Grill for 7-10 minutes, tossing frequently, until the vegetables are softened and have nice char marks.
- Assemble the Rolls: Place one grilled sausage into each bun or roll. Top each sausage with a generous amount of grilled peppers and onions, 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. To melt the cheese, place the assembled rolls back on the grill using indirect medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes or place them under a broiler for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Optional - garnish each sandwich with fresh basil leaves. Serve the sandwiches warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can use mild or spicy Italian sausages based on your heat preference.
- If a grill basket is unavailable, use aluminum foil to make a makeshift tray for the vegetables.
- To keep sausages warm without drying, tent them loosely with foil instead of wrapping tightly.
- Fresh basil adds a nice fresh flavor but can be omitted or replaced with parsley.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute buns with gluten-free rolls.
- Leftover grilled vegetables make a great side dish or salad addition.
- If you don't have a grill, the sausages and vegetables can be cooked on a stovetop grill pan or in a skillet on medium heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg



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