Name: Cast Iron Italian-Style Sausage and Pepper Subs
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 1/2 pounds hot or sweet Italian sausage (8 sausages); 3 red or green bell peppers , stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips; 1 large onion , halved and sliced thin; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried; 2 garlic cloves , minced; 4 (8-inch) Italian sub rolls , split lengthwise

Why This Recipe Works

A submarine sandwich filled with sausage and peppers is most familiar as the stuff of street festivals and ball games, but it also makes a perfect quick weeknight meal at the dinner table or a gathering around the TV on game day, no grill or griddle required. We started by browning the sausages in a hot cast-iron skillet, which gave us a great sear and plenty of flavor. We then added the peppers, onions, and a little water, covered the pan, and cooked the sausages through. Next, we pulled the sausages out and browned our peppers and onions in all the delicious bits the sausages left behind. For even more complex flavor, we added some tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, and garlic. This savory combination coated the peppers and onions and gave each bite a burst of flavor.

Instructions

Heat 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add oil and heat until just smoking. Cook sausages until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes, flipping sausages halfway through cooking.

Distribute bell peppers and onion around sausages. Add ⅓ cup water, cover, and cook until sausages register 160 to 165 degrees and vegetables are softened, 7 to 9 minutes, flipping sausages halfway through cooking.

Transfer sausages to cutting board, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest while finishing vegetables. Increase heat to medium-high and cook without stirring until liquid has evaporated and vegetables are lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, oregano, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Halve sausages crosswise and serve with rolls and pepper-onion mixture.