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Sausage Meatball and Bell Pepper Sub Sandwiches

Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

4 hot dog buns
1 lb. ground Italian sausage (raw), or for a meat-free alternative, use a plant-based sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 bell peppers, thinly sliced (use red, orange, or yellow bell peppers)
1 cup marinara sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Prepare the meatballs by dividing the sausage into 16 portions and rolling them into a round shape, about 1-2” in diameter (similar in size to a golf ball).

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the bell peppers for about 5 minutes, until the peppers soften a bit and start to get charred in places. Add a big pinch of salt and peppers to taste and set the cooked bell peppers aside.

Using the same pan on the same heat, add the meatballs and cook them for about 3 minutes on each side, until they get a nice golden-brown color on some sides but are still slightly pink inside (they will finish cooking with the sauce). Add the marinara sauce to the pan with the meatballs, cover with a lid, and turn the heat down to medium low. Let them simmer for 10 minutes, covered.

While the meatballs are simmering, toast the hot dog buns on a sheet pan in the pre-heated oven for 5 minutes. Separate the top and bottom buns. If using cheese, add to one side of each bun prior to toasting.

To assemble, add your desired amount of bell peppers, meatballs, and marinara sauce to each bun. Serve immediately.

Meatball sandwiches with bell peppers on a pan, styled as if served in a kitchen

Why eat peppers?

  • With all the varieties of peppers, from spicy to sweet, you are bound to find the right flavor for you!

  • One full cup of bell peppers contains only 45 calories while providing more than 100% of the Daily Recommended Allowance of vitamins A and C.

  • Sliced bell peppers make a great snack when dipped in hummus.

If you like peppers, try...

Green Beans • Jicama • Zucchini