SMASHED SAUSAGE AND PEPPER BURGERS

Smashed Sausage and Pepper Burgers image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Time 35m

Yield 8 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 pounds sweet or hot Italian bulk sausage
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sweet Peppers, recipe follows
8 slices whole-milk mozzarella
8 bakery hamburger buns, buttered and griddled
Your favorite red sauce, for serving
4 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into strips
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Form the Italian sausage in 4-ounce patties a little bit wider than the buns you are using. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. In batches, cook each side of the patties until crisp and golden and no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes a side.
Line the cooked sausage patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place some Sweet Peppers on top, then a slice of cheese. Broil in the oven until the cheese is melty and golden brown. Place on the griddled buns and serve with red sauce.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the pepper strips with the oil, garlic and some salt and pepper, and place in a 9-by-14-inch baking dish. Bake, stirring halfway through, until the peppers become lighter in color and soft, about 20 minutes.