- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Serving: 6 as an Appetizer
- Fridge Friendly: 4 Days
- Freezer Friendly: 2 Months
Cost Per Person: ¢
- ¢: pennies
- $: less than $4
- $$: less than $7
- $$$: less than $10
- $$$: over $10
This isn't your "typical"sausage on a bun!
This recipe came about when we were out to dinner a few years ago, and we ordered a very similar appetizer. I bit into this masterpiece of crispy bread on the outside and a warm sausage and cheese filling on the inside, and my mouth was in heaven. So, I did my best to deconstruct what I was tasting in the filling and … right or wrong, this recipe is what I came up with – everyone who tastes it assures me I was more “right” than “wrong”! I hope you’ll try it and see if you agree.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is a meal in itself or a great party app. It’s hot, cheesy, melty goodness.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
It’s a one-pan prep. The filling can be made ahead, and it is freezer friendly. It’s quick, hearty and delicious.
Ingredients
To Make Garlic Butter:
- 4 tbsp. Butter – room temperature
- 1 Clove Minced Garlic for Butter
To Make Sandwich Filling
- 5 Mild or Hot Italian Sausages – casing removed
- 2 Cloves Garlic – minced or finely chopped
- 1 Cup Cooked Spinach – chopped
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese – grated
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese – grated
- 1 Baguette, or 4 Buns
Directions & Cook’s Notes/Tips
To make the garlic butter:
- In a small bowl, add butter and the minced garlic from 1 clove. Mix together and set aside.
To Make the Filling
- remove the casing from the sausage, crumble it, and add to a saute pan on medium heat.
- Cook the sausage until no longer pink. As it cooks, break down any larger chunks.
- Add two cloves of finely chopped garlic and cook on medium to medium-low for about 5 minutes or until the sausage is lightly browned.
- Stir in cooked spinach, and cook for another 2 minutes. Add both kinds of cheese, stir to combine, then remove from heat.
- Slice the baguette in half, crosswise. On one side of the baguette only, spread the garlic butter. On the other side of the baguette, remove a little of the bread to create a hollow. Note: You can bake the bread you’ve removed and make breadcrumbs or croutons.
- Fill the hollow with the sausage mixture, and place the other half of the bread on top.
- Wrap the baguette in foil and place it in a 375-degree oven for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before removing foil and cutting.
Cook’s Notes/Tips
Feel free to add any of the following ingredients:
- Mushrooms – 1 cup sliced
- Onions – ¼ cup diced
- Red pepper – ½ cup diced
- Replace the spinach with roughly chopped, cooked rapini
Note: Add additional ingredients at the same time as the spinach and cook until the veggies are tender
