Spicy Sausage Pizza Dip

By luvmybuttonsnbows

PREP:
20 minutes
COOK:
Low 5 hours, High 2 1/2 hours
MAKES:
28 (1/4 cup) servings
SLOW COOKER:
3 1/2- to 4-quart



LEFTOVERS
After cooling, transfer any leftovers to freezer containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in a saucepan.

Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
• 1 14 1/2-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
• 1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped, pitted ripe olives
• Dippers—breadsticks, breaded mozzarella cheese sticks, and green sweet pepper strips

Preparation

Step 1

In a large skillet cook sausage, onion, and garlic until meat is brown and onion is tender; drain well.
In a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker combine sausage mixture, tomato sauce, undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, and red pepper. Stir ingredients, cover, and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. .
Stir in olives. Serve with dippers.