HOT ITALIAN PATTIES

Hot Italian Patties image

I've been making these spicy and satisfying sandwiches for more than a dozen years. On occasion, I substitute country sausage for the Italian sausage and they taste just as good. Served with a zesty sauce for dipping, they're my family's favorite. -Brenda Jackson, Garden City, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
8 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese
8 slices French bread (3/4 inch thick)
1/4 to 1/2 cup butter, softened

Steps:

In a saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, basil, pepper flakes and garlic powder. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer for 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, shape sausage into four thin oval patties. In a skillet over medium heat, cook patties until no longer pink; remove and keep warm. , In the drippings, saute onion until tender. Place a slice of cheese on four slices of bread; layer each with a sausage patty, onion and remaining cheese. Top with remaining bread. Butter the outsides of sandwiches. , On a griddle or in a large skillet, toast over medium heat until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve with herbed tomato sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 994 calories, Fat 60g fat (26g saturated fat), Cholesterol 150mg cholesterol, Sodium 2164mg sodium, Carbohydrate 75g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 37g protein.