30-Minute Toasted Pesto Chicken Sausage Sandwiches
Golden-brown grilled sandwiches featuring smoky chicken and apple sausages paired with creamy basil pesto, melted provolone cheese, and fresh tomatoes. The sausages are split and pan-fried until crispy, then layered with a pesto-mayo spread on oil-brushed Italian bread. Perfect for a hearty lunch or casual dinner when you want something more than a basic sandwich but don't want to spend hours cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 package fully cooked smoked chicken and apple sausages, 12 oz, 4 per package
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup refrigerated basil pesto, from 7-oz container
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
- 8 slices Italian bread, 1/2 inch thicksourdough1:1
tangier flavor
- 4 slices provolone cheese, 3/4 oz each
- 1 large tomato, cut into 8 thin slices
- 16 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- 1
Cut sausages almost in half crosswise, then in half lengthwise
- 2
Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat and cook sausages, turning occasionally, until golden brown
- 3
Remove sausages from skillet and set aside
- 4
Combine pesto and mayonnaise in small bowl
- 5
Brush one side of bread slices with remaining oil
- 6
Turn 4 bread slices oiled side down and spread each with pesto-mayonnaise mixture
- 7
Top each with cheese slice, tomato slices, basil leaves, cooked sausage and remaining bread slice oiled side up
- 8
Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and cook sandwiches, turning once, until golden brown and cheese is melted
Tips
Split the sausages almost completely through to help them cook evenly and create more surface area for browning.
Use a panini press or weight the sandwiches with a heavy pan for extra crispy results and better cheese melting.
Good to Know
Wrap assembled sandwiches in foil and refrigerate up to 1 day. Reheat in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Cook sausages and make pesto-mayo mixture up to 2 days ahead. Assemble and grill just before serving.
Serve immediately while hot and cheese is melted. Cut diagonally and serve with chips or salad.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip oiling the bread exterior or sandwiches won't brown properly
Keep heat at medium-high to avoid burning bread before cheese melts
Substitutions
similar flavor profile
FAQ
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, any fully cooked sausage works well. Italian sausage, bratwurst, or turkey sausage are good alternatives.
What if I don't have pesto?
Make a simple basil spread by mixing chopped fresh basil with olive oil and garlic, or use store-bought tapenade.
How long do leftovers keep?
Assembled sandwiches are best eaten fresh, but components can be stored separately for 2-3 days and reassembled.