Name: The 50-Year-Old Iowa State Fair Recipe My Family Will Never Stop Making Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 hoagie rolls; ½ pound ground beef; ½ pound ground hot Italian pork sausage; 8 ounce jar pizza sauce; 1 tablespoon minced onion; 1 tablespoon chopped basil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese; Banana pepper rings (to taste)

Introduction

This beloved recipe from the Iowa State Fair has been a family favorite for over 50 years. Combining savory ground meats with flavorful pizza sauce, it’s baked into hoagie rolls for a comforting and satisfying meal. Perfect for a casual dinner or game day snack.

The image shows a sandwich cut in half and stacked, with the top half resting on the bottom half. The sandwich has a soft, light brown bread with a slightly crusty top. Inside, there is a layer of cooked ground beef with a crumbly texture in a dark brown color, topped with melted white cheese, and a layer of bright red tomato sauce near the top. The sandwich rests on a white plate, and the background features a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 hoagie rolls
½ pound ground beef
½ pound ground hot Italian pork sausage
8 ounce jar pizza sauce
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the ground beef and hot Italian pork sausage together in a pan over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: In a bowl, combine the minced onion, chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes with the pizza sauce. Stir this mixture into the browned meat in the pan.
Step 3: Simmer the meat and sauce over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring regularly to blend the flavors.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Split each hoagie roll open and layer generously with the meat and sauce mixture, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Wrap each sandwich individually in foil.
Step 5: Bake the wrapped sandwiches in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Serve hot, optionally topped with banana pepper rings for a zesty kick.

Tips & Variations

For a milder flavor, substitute sweet Italian sausage for the hot variety.
Add sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra vegetables and depth.
Use provolone or cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella for a different cheesy twist.
Serve the sandwiches with a side of pickles or a crisp salad to balance the rich flavors.

Storage

Store leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in foil or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, unwrap and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through to maintain the bread’s texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a wooden cutting board on a white marbled surface with five sandwich pieces arranged on it. Each sandwich is made of crusty brown bread and has multiple layers: fresh green lettuce directly on the bottom bread, followed by thin red tomato slices, a thick layer of sliced roasted meat in light pink with darker edges, and a topping of small chopped mushrooms in dark brown and beige. Two of the sandwiches are cut into triangles with leafy lettuce sticking out, and three are cut into rectangles showing all the layers clearly. Around the sandwiches, there are skewers with green pepperoncini and black and green olives. The scene is bright and well-lit, showing the texture of the bread and freshness of the vegetables. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the meat mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook and mix the meat with the sauce up to a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and assemble the sandwiches just before baking.

What can I use if I don’t have hoagie rolls?

Any sturdy sandwich roll or a split baguette can work well. Just choose something that will hold up to the moist filling without becoming soggy.

The 50-Year-Old Iowa State Fair Recipe My Family Will Never Stop Making Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 136 reviews

A nostalgic and flavorful Iowa State Fair classic featuring a savory blend of seasoned ground beef and Italian sausage topped with melted mozzarella on toasted hoagie rolls. This hearty sandwich is perfect for a comforting family meal or game day treat.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Category: Sandwich
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Sandwich

4 hoagie rolls
½ pound ground beef
½ pound ground hot Italian pork sausage
8 ounce jar pizza sauce
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional Topping

Banana pepper rings (to taste)

Instructions

Brown the Meats: In a pan over medium-high heat, combine the ground beef and hot Italian pork sausage. Cook until the meat is fully browned and no longer pink, then drain off any excess grease.
Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together the minced onion, chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir this seasoning mixture into the jar of pizza sauce, then add it to the browned meat in the pan.
Simmer the Sauce and Meat: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the meat and sauce mixture simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir regularly to meld the flavors and thicken the mixture slightly.
Preheat Oven and Assemble Sandwiches: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Split each hoagie roll open lengthwise and layer generously with the hot meat and sauce mixture, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake the Sandwiches: Wrap each assembled sandwich individually in aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are heated through.
Serve: Carefully unwrap the sandwiches and serve hot. Optionally, top with banana pepper rings for an extra burst of flavor and a little heat.

Notes

Draining the grease from the meats is essential to avoid a soggy sandwich and reduce excess fat.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
Banana pepper rings add a nice tangy and mild spicy contrast but can be omitted if preferred.
Using hoagie rolls ensures the sandwich holds together well and provides a sturdy base for the filling.

Keywords: Iowa State Fair recipe, meatball sandwich, Italian sausage sandwich, hoagie roll sandwich, mozzarella sandwich, baked sandwich