BEEsy in the Kitchen: Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, Peppers, & Onions Panini

As Hayden and I prepared for a trip to the zoo this morning, I searched my fridge and pantry for something to pack for our brown bag lunch. Sandwiches sounded good, but I didn't have any deli meats and I wasn't craving PB&J today. I'd just picked up a package of sweet Italian turkey sausage the day before, and I still had some tomato basil bread leftover from a recent visit to Panera. Hmmm . . . Add some sauteed bell pepper and onion slices, a little bit of shredded mozzarella cheese, a few sprinkles of grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of pizza sauce. Voila! A new sandwich favorite. And the best part . . . It's healthier than similar versions I've ordered at sandwich shops. I hope you enjoy this recipe! :0)

A few notes about this recipe: Use your panini press if you have one or toast the sandwiches in a skillet or under the broiler in your oven. You can adjust the amount of olive oil used to saute the veggies and the amount of cheese according to your preferences and dietary needs.

Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, Peppers, & Onions Panini
Serves 4

4 sweet Italian turkey sausage links, cooked
2 tsp olive oil
1 large sweet bell pepper, sliced thinly
1 small red or yellow onion, sliced thinly
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cup pizza sauce (to drizzle on sandwich and for dipping)
8 slices of your favorite bread
Butter or margarine to spread on bread or cooking/butter spray for bread

Instructions:

(1) Preheat panini press at medium heat or broiler, if using.

(2) Thinly slice each cooked turkey sausage lengthwise. Set aside.

(3) Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and onion slices and saute until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside.

(4) Spread butter or margarine on one side of each bread slice. (As an alternative, you can spray one side of each slice with cooking spray or butter spray).

(5) Stack the following ingredients in the order listed on the unbuttered side of one bread slice: turkey sausage slices from one link, 1/4 of the pepper and onion mixture, 1 TBSP pizza sauce, 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1 TBSP grated Parmesan. Place the unbuttered side of another bread slice on top of the sandwich filling. Repeat for 3 more sandwiches.

(6) If using skillet to toast sandwiches, heat skillet on medium-high heat. Depending on your toasting method, place prepared sandwiches on the panini press, in the skillet, or under the broiler. Cook until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve remaining pizza sauce for dipping, if desired.