Italian Sausage Sloppy Joes

• 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. To serve, place cheese on bun bottoms; top with meat mixture and, if desired, peppers. Close sandwiches.
4. 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.

italian sausage, sweet red pepper, onion, lean ground beef, salt, tomato paste, garlic, liquid smoke, mozzarella cheese, buns, peppers

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/italian-sausage-sloppy-joes/ (may not work)