Saucy Sausage Sandwiches

By luvmybuttonsnbows

PRCP:
20 minutes
COOK:
Low 8 hours, High 4 hours
MAKES:
8 servings
SLOW COOKER:
3 1/2- to 4-quart

Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 4 1/2-ounce jar sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 cup sliced pitted ripe olives
• 4 teaspoons quick-cooking tapioca
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Dash garlic powder
• 8 French rolls, split
• 6 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese

Preparation

Step 1

In a large skillet cook sausage, ground beef, and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat.
Meanwhile, in a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker combine the drained tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, olives, tapioca, sugar, oregano, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in meat mixture. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.
Using a fork, hollow out bottom halves of rolls, leaving 1/4-inch shells (reserve bread pieces for another use). Place cheese in bottom halves, trimming as necessary to fit. Spoon meat mixture into rolls. Cut any remaining cheese into strips and place over meat mixture. Cover with bun tops.