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Hot Dago Recipe

Hot Dago Recipe

Hot Dago is a classic Italian-American dish that originated in the early 1900s. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish made with ground pork or hamburger and covered in melted mozzarella cheese and a savory tomato sauce. This delicious meal is perfect for any time of day, from breakfast to dinner. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or a delicious comfort food dish, Hot Dago will surely hit the spot.
5 from 1 vote
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Author: Lori Walker, MS, RD
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 589kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large Bowl
  • Medium Bowl

Ingredients

Meat Mixture:

  • 1/2 lb of ground hot Italian sausage a spicier variation of Italian sausage that brings a bold and fiery kick to your Hot Dago, creating a tantalizing and zesty taste experience.
  • 1/2 Tbsp chopped garlic providing a pungent and aromatic note to the meat mixture, adding depth and intensity to the overall flavor profile of your Hot Dago.
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs serving as a binding agent and adding texture to your meat mixture, ensuring a moist and tender filling that holds its shape when cooked.
  • 1/2 lb of ground mild Italian sausage a flavorful and savory meat that adds a gentle and aromatic touch to your Hot Dago filling, infusing it with a delightful combination of herbs and spices.
  • 1/4 Tbsp Italian Seasoning a blend of dried herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme, adding a medley of aromatic flavors that harmonize perfectly with the Italian sausage, elevating the overall taste of your meat mixture.
  • 1/4 Tbsp Fennel seeds imparting a distinct and slightly sweet licorice-like flavor to your meat mixture, enhancing the authentic Italian taste and providing a unique and aromatic twist.

Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup of water contributing to the consistency and texture of your sauce, ensuring it has a smooth and velvety texture that coats your Hot Dago perfectly.
  • 1 Tbsp of olive oil enriching your sauce with a smooth and fruity note, enhancing the overall richness and adding a touch of Mediterranean flair.
  • 1/2 cup onions chopped, providing a sweet and aromatic note to your sauce, contributing a pleasant background flavor and enhancing the overall balance of flavors.
  • 1/2 cup pitted olives offering a briny and salty taste to your sauce, adding a burst of tanginess and a unique texture that contrasts with the other ingredients.
  • 3 oz tomato paste providing a concentrated and intense tomato flavor to your sauce, adding depth and richness to the overall taste profile.
  • 1/2 clove or 1/2 Tbsp of garlic minced, infusing your sauce with a robust and aromatic note of garlic, intensifying the flavors and providing a delightful depth to the overall taste profile.
  • 1 tsp basil bringing a fresh and aromatic note to your sauce, infusing it with a delightful herbal flavor that complements the other ingredients and adds a touch of brightness.
  • 14.5 oz of crushed tomatoes creating a rich and flavorful base for your sauce, offering a vibrant and tangy taste that complements the robust flavors of the meat and other ingredients.
  • 1/2 cup of mushrooms sliced, introducing an earthy and savory element to your sauce, adding depth and a delightful umami flavor that enhances the overall complexity of the dish.
  • 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard introducing a tangy and slightly spicy note to your sauce, enhancing the overall complexity of flavors and adding a hint of zing.
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper adding a subtle and mild heat to your sauce, enhancing the overall spiciness and providing a touch of warmth to the dish.
  • 1/4 tsp oregano adding a fragrant and herbaceous taste to your sauce, imparting a subtle and delightful Mediterranean essence that complements the other ingredients.
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley offering a vibrant and fresh taste to your sauce, adding a pop of color and a hint of herbaceousness that elevates the overall presentation and taste.
  • 1.5 oz or 1/2 chopped sliced pepperoni providing a savory and slightly spicy component to your sauce, delivering a burst of flavor that pairs perfectly with the Italian sausage and other ingredients.

The Other Ingredients:

  • French bread serving as the vessel for your Hot Dago, providing a crusty and sturdy base that holds the flavorful meat mixture, sauce, and other ingredients together, offering a satisfying and hearty dining experience.
  • 1 bell pepper chopped, offering a crisp and vibrant addition to your Hot Dago, providing a fresh and slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped, adding a sweet and aromatic note to your Hot Dago filling, contributing a pleasant background flavor and enhancing the overall balance of flavors.
  • 1/2 Tbsp of melted butter mixed with 1/4 Tbsp of garlic powder creating a rich and flavorful garlic butter mixture that adds a luscious and aromatic touch to your Hot Dago, imparting a delightful buttery and garlicky essence.
  • 1/4 cup of Mozzarella Cheese for each Hot Dago adding a creamy and melty texture to your sandwich, creating a gooey and indulgent filling that brings a delightful cheesy goodness to every bite.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground mild Italian sausage, ground hot Italian sausage, chopped garlic, fennel seeds, McCormick Italian seasoning, and bread crumbs until well blended. Form into 15 reduced-fat patties and place in a baking pan.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, olives, garlic minced, water, olive oil, tomato paste, oregano, Dijon mustard (recommended), basil and black pepper. Mix them well. Then, pour this mixture over the patties in the baking pan. Top with chopped pepperoni and fresh parsley.
  • Bake for 45 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned on top.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the other ingredients: Chop the onion and bell peppers and sauté them in melted butter mixed with garlic powder until softened (about 10 minutes). Cut French bread into individual servings/slices for each Hot Dago sandwich you will be making (one slice per person). Shred mozzarella cheese for each Hot Dago sandwich you will be making (1/2 cup per person).
  • Sandwich Assemble
    When the Hot Dagos are done cooking, assemble your sandwiches: Place one patty on each slice of French bread then top with sautéed onion & bell pepper mixture followed by 1/2 cup of Mozzarella cheese per patty and another slice of French bread for a top bun. Serve immediately while hot!

Notes

• For a spicier version, add some red pepper flakes to the mix for a little kick.
• If you want a chewy texture in your Hot Dago, use ground beef instead of ground pork.
• To keep the dish from drying out, sprinkle some water over the top before baking.
Keyword: Easy Hot Dago Recipe