Recipe: Italian Sausage Pizza Sliders

Okay folks.  I realize it has been a looooooooong time since I posted a recipe.  Truth to tell, creating or working recipes is hard work and I often don't have the time to try out as many as I would like.  However, I was inspired this evening during a supply run at my local grocer to make a batch of Italian Sausage Pizza Slider burgers.  The ingredients cost less than $10.00 and the recipe produces 12 of them for a nice snack or snack dinner.  So without further ado, here is your recipe blueprint:

Italian Sausage Pizza Sliders:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground italian sausage (can substitute ground beef, but will need to season with 1 teaspoon each salt, black pepper, fennel seed, garlic powder, and paprika, and mix with 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil)
• 1 packeet of 1 dozen King's Hawaiian Rolls
• 1 Jar Spaghetti Sauce--any brand will do; I used Bertoli
• White American, Mozzarella, Monterrey Jack or Borden 4-Italian Cheese Blend Slices

Directions:

1. Using a very sharp knife, carefully split the Hawaiian Rolls into tops and bottoms, then set aside.  NOTE: I recommend doing this after the rolls have sat in the refrigerator for an hour so the bread is a little harder--makes for easier splitting.  At room temperature the rolls will get mushed up. 
2. Form meat into 12 thin patties about 2 inches by 1.25 inches.
3. Coat a medium to large sized skillet with 1 tablespoon Olive Oil and preheat on medium for about 5 minutes.
4. Places patties in the skillet and sear each side for about 5 seconds.  Then cook each side for about 3 to 5 minutes each side to level of done-ness you prefer.  NOTE:  If you have a George Foreman™ clamshell style grill, it will go much faster.  Just be sure to lubricate the grill and allow it to preheat before cooking the patties.
5. While the patties are grilling, wrap the Hawaiian rolls in a paper towel and heat in the microwave 30 seconds on half power to soften/steam them. 
6. Heat about 1 cup of the spaghetti sauce in the microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds. 
7. When the patties are done drain them of any excess grease.
8. On each roll, place a patty, a half a slice of cheese, and about 1 tablespoon of spaghetti sauce. 

This recipe was partly the brain-child of my son Jason.  He and I were talking about Krystal Burgers and he said "I wonder if we could make little pizza burgers with pizza sausage instead of just a plain beef patty, Dad!".  Suffice it to say, these have been a hit with the kids in the family and have been requested a number of times since I first made this recipe back in mid-November.

I appreciate any feedback you can provide!

And remember:

Eat Happy!!!
Zao an,  Y'all!!!