Creole Meatball Po'boy

INGREDIENTS

slices of white bread , crusts removed

3/4 cup

buttermilk

1 lb

ground chuck

3/4 lb

Italian or other seasoned, raw sausage

1 oz

grated Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp

minced garlic cloves (about 2 large), or to taste

1 tbsp

chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp

Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama ), or to taste

1/2 tsp

kosher salt

1/4 tsp

black pepper

Homemade creole sauce (below) or a commercial marinara sauce , warmed

2 cups

shredded mozzarella cheese

po'boy or other sandwich rolls

1 tbsp

olive oil

1/4 cup

each of chopped onion , bell pepper and celery

( 6 ounce ) can of tomato paste

( 15 ounce ) can of diced tomatoes , undrained

2 tsp

granulated sugar

Creole (or Cajun) seasoning ,

1 tbsp

chopped fresh basil