Italian Turkey Sausage Subs

Hearty sub sandwiches get a pop of flavor from the Italian turkey sausage.  They are and topped with gooey cheese are hard to resist!

Italian Turkey Sausage Subs

Let's talk lunch.  I love a good sandwich during lunchtime.  It's a staple in our house and this particular sandwich is meaty and hearty, with flavors that pop in your mouth.  Filled with Italian turkey sausage for a lighter calorie count these sandwiches also sneak in some veggies as well.  Onion and bell pepper lend nutrients, fiber, and flavor to the dish.  Seasonings like Italian seasoning mix, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes give this sandwich that quintessential Italian flavor.  

Perfect for a weekend lunch, light dinner, game day, party or potluck.  These easy to make sandwiches will fill your tummy and warm your soul.

What Ingredients do I need?

• turkey Italian sausage 
• green bell pepper
• yellow onion
• garlic
• can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• balsamic vinegar
• red pepper flakes
• French-style sub rolls
• mozzarella cheese, shredded

Substitutions and Variations

• Use hot or sweet Italian sausage
• cook in a slow cooker for 2 hours on high - adding to the cooker after the meat, onions, and bell pepper is cooked
• cook in a pressure cooker - cook for 4 minutes, rapid pressure release
• double the recipe for a crowd

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Toast the sub rolls for extra crunch
• remove sausage from casings before cooking if using links
• Make sure to simmer over the lowest flame to ensure the meat stays saucy
• Leave out the red pepper flakes for a kid friendly version
• Add red pepper flakes to satisfy your heat tolerance and liking

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Italian Turkey Sausage Subs

serves 6

1 lb. turkey Italian sausage 
3/4 cup green bell pepper strips
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, crushed
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
pinch crushed red pepper flakes
6 French-style sub rolls
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

In a large skillet cook sausage, bell pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is browned; drain off fat.  Add in the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes.  Stir to combine.

Cover with a lid and turn the fire down to low.  Simmer covered for 20 minutes.  Toast sub rolls if desired.  Fill with meat filling and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Instant Pot: Spaghetti Marinara

Yum

I hope everyone had a safe and fun filled 4th of July!

We had a big a pool party during the day and grilled all sorts of hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings and side dishes that go along with a typical Americana meal.  It really was a great day filled with good food and lots of fun and laughter.

But, I'll have to tell you I'm really tired after all of the party preparations and cooking.  The last thing I wanted to do the day after is cook another meal!  So I turned to my handy Instant Pot for some help.  This thing really is a life saver when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  It is virtually hands free cooking, which is perfect on a weeknight or the day after a holiday.

If you haven't jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon yet, I say it's time!  This is one of my most cherished kitchen appliances next to my slow cooker.  It just provides you with the option to get a delicious flavor packed meal on the table in no time and that is a lifesaver when I don't want to cook!

INSTANT POT:  SPAGHETTI MARINARA

When I want a quick meal I usually turn to either a stir fry or a pasta dish. Both cook up in 20 minutes or less.  Today it's all about making a simple yet tasty Spaghetti Marinara.  You know the one, a basic Italian tomato sauce over spaghetti.  One the kids will enjoy as well as the whole family. 

To make this even quicker we are going to use a good jarred marinara.  Use your favorite  so you get the flavors that you like.  The Instant Pot makes cooking this dish simple. It's only one pot to clean and done lickety split to boot all in 8 minutes.  That's a winner in my book!

Yes, I said 8 minutes!  After the Instant Pot comes to pressure the sauce and the pasta cook for just 8 minutes and then dinner is served!

KITCHEN TIPS:  There is a trick to cooking pasta in the pressure cooker so that it doesn't stick together.  You will want to break the spaghetti in half and layer it in the pot in two different overlapping directions.  It will look like and X in the pot.  Then you will add some additional liquid but "DO NOT STIR".  This will ensure the pasta stays intact and will not stick into a big clump. After the cooking is complete remove the lid and then give the pasta and the sauce a good stir.  Dinner is done!

This is a one pot - Instant Pot weeknight meal winner!  Enjoy!





Instant Pot: Spaghetti Marinara

2 cups water, divided
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
8 oz spaghetti
Parmesan cheese, optional topping

Instructions:

Add 1/2 cup water, then the whole jar of marinara sauce to the pot. Break the spaghetti in half and layer in the pot in two layers, alternating directions like and X, over the sauce.

Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups water over the pasta. Do not stir at this point.  Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the lever to seal.

Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button and set the cook time for 8 minutes.  Once the cooking is complete do a quick release, open the lid once the valve had gone down and stir the spaghetti with the sauce.  Turn off the pressure cooker and remove the insert.  Serve immediately in bowls and top with Parmesan if desired.