Easy Lunch Recipe: Italian Bratwurst Sandwiches

With everyone home--all day every day--I have been needing to get a little creative with meals!  I have been trying to think outside the box to create some quick and easy meals that still feel satisfying for everyone--and help us avoid the ham-and-cheese-sandwich-for-lunch-every-day trap!  Last week, I jazzed up a package of original bratwurst and turned them into Italian Bratwurst sandwiches--and they were a huge hit with even our picky eaters!  Here is a quick and easy way to make Italian Bratwurst sandwiches for lunch or dinner!

Ingredients for Italian Bratwurst Sandwiches
1 Pkg. Original, Beer or Italian Flavored Bratwurst
1 1/4 c. Plain Marinara Sauce or  3 Cheese Pasta Sauce
1 1/4 c. Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Topping suggestions:  banana pepper rings, sliced black olives, diced onions, chopped tomatoes
5 Hot Dog Buns or Hard Rolls

Instructions for Italian Bratwurst Sandwiches

Cook the Bratwurst.  Follow the package instructions and either grill or pan fry the package of bratwurst.  Often, my husband will grill the bratwurst while he is cooking something else on the grill for dinner and I reheat the bratwurst for the next day's lunch to save time.  If I cook the bratwurst, I typically pan fry them because one of our daughters prefers them without any charring from the grill.  An indoor grill works well too if the weather doesn't cooperate for outdoor cooking!

Heat the Buns and Build the Italian Bratwurst Sandwiches.  I heat the buns slightly for a few minutes in a warmed over or warm cut sides down in a heated skillet.  Place a warm bratwurst on each bun.  Top with 1/4 c. of marinara sauce and sprinkle with 1/4 c. Shredded Parmesan cheese and add desired extra toppings.  I typically use banana peppers, onions and black olives--but, feel free to choose your family's favorite pizza toppings.   

Serve warm.  I usually serve the Italian Bratwurst Sandwiches with oven baked fries or oven roasted or grilled potatoes and a green salad.