ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS & ONIONS

Italian sausage with peppers & onions image

Provided by Michelle Koletar/Mertz

Time 10h30m

Number Of Ingredients 6

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4-5 lb italian sausage, sweet or hot (i use a mix of both)
4-5 large green bell peppers
4-5 large onions
3 can(s) tomato sauce (the large cans - 29 oz.)
3 can(s) tomato paste
black pepper

Steps:

1. Bake the sausage with a little water in an oven @ 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then turn over and bake another 10 mins. (20 minutes total). I pierce the sausage to release some of the juices when I turn over. When you take sausage out, cut in halves.
2. Meanwhile, slice onions and peppers in large slices, lengthwise.
3. Add 1 large can of tomato sauce to bottom of crockpot. (You can use any kind of tomato sauce, honestly -- and just tomato sauce, NOT spaghetti sauce or w/ added flavors/ingredients.) Sprinkle just a bit of sugar over the sauce. You can add some fresh ground pepper, if you want.
4. Begin layering the sausage, some peppers & onions, then some more sauce, and continue. Once you get to the top, spread a whole layer of tomato paste to create a seal. Use as much tomato paste as you need to completely "seal" up the ingredients.
5. Cook in the crockpot on low for about 10 hours. Don't stir or lift up the lid -- you will ruin the whole consistency of the sausages. When the top layer of tomato paste starts to look a little bit brown, it probably is ready. The sausage should cut very easily w/ a fork.
6. Try this recipe before you begin adding Italian seasonings, wine, etc. It doesn't need anything & you don't need expensive sausage or sauces! You can either serve w/ pasta (preferably tortellini) or on hoagie rolls w/ some parm sprinkled on top. Delicious!