Hot Italian Patties

Toh

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1⁄8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  lb 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)
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup butter, softened

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, basil, pepper flakes, and garlic powder; bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Decrease heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, shape sausage into four thin oval patties.
4. In a skillet, cook patties over medium heat until no longer pink; remove and keep warm.
5. In the drippings, saute onion until tender.
6. Place a slice of cheese on four slices of bread; top each with a sausage patty, onion, and remaining cheese.
7. Top with remaining bread.
8. Butter the outsides of sandwiches.
9. Cook on a griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted.
10. Serve with herbed tomato sauce for dipping.