ITALIAN SAUSAGE SLOPPY JOES

Italian Sausage Sloppy Joes image

My grandma absolutely loves Italian food, so I decided to make a twist on classic sloppy joe sandwiches just for her. The mozzarella and tomato sauce are classic, and red peppers make it fun. -Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 4h20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

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Ingredients

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 cans (8 ounces each ) no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon liquid smoke, optional
16 slices smoked mozzarella cheese (about 3/4 pound)
8 hoagie buns, split and toasted
Pickled hot cherry peppers, optional

Steps:

In a large skillet, cook and crumble sausage with red pepper and onion over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker., In same pan, cook and crumble beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, add beef to slow cooker. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder and, if desired, liquid smoke. Cook, covered, on low until flavors are blended, 4-5 hours., To serve, place cheese on bun bottoms; top with meat mixture and, if desired, peppers. Close sandwiches. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 661 calories, Fat 35g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 121mg cholesterol, Sodium 1231mg sodium, Carbohydrate 46g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 42g protein.