One day I wanted to make sloppy joes to take to work for a potluck, but didn't want to use canned "sloppy joe sauce" so I decided to make my own joes. I had ground beef and italian sausage in the freezer and added a few other things and this recipe was born. My co-workers (and my hubby) raved over it. Bonus: if you have leftovers, it makes a great pasta sauce. Serves at least 20 (depends on the bun size). This is from my recipe box on Taste of Home's website.
Italian Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
2 lb. lean ground beef
2 lb. Jimmy Dean Premium Italian Sausage
16 oz bag of frozen pepper and onion blend (for stir fries)
2 tsp minced garlic (about 2 cloves minced)
8 oz mushrooms sliced (optional)
2 bay leaves
2-14 oz cans stewed tomatoes OR a 28 oz can diced tomatoes
26-30 oz jar pasta sauce
6 oz can tomato paste
buns
Directions:
Brown beef and sausage in a large skillet, drain grease.
Put meat into slow cooker liner, add pepper mix (break any really large pieces into smaller ones), garlic, mushrooms, bay leaves, tomatoes and pasta sauce.
Cook at high for 4 - 5 hours or on low for 7-9 hours. My preferred method is a combination of 2 hours on high and 3 hours on low.
Stir in tomato paste about 90 minutes prior to when timer is to go off. If your joe mixture seems a bit thin, turn cooker to high and leave lid off for about 30 minutes.
Notes:
I make this a couple times a year for potlucks at work, but sometimes it's just for us as my hubby loves to have this with cooked shells as a hearty meat sauce. We don't call them leftovers, they're "re-overs" since I try to do something different the 2nd time.
We also think it tastes even better the next day after everything has "married" overnight. It reheats beautifully, and I have even frozen portions to use with pasta.
Use 2 cups diced bell peppers and 1 cup chopped onion in place of the frozen ones. This is also easily suited to preferences - we love onions, so I add more.
I use home canned tomatoes when possible, since I include onion & peppers and italian spices when I'm canning.
Pasta sauce - any flavor will do, I usually use one with onion/garlic that's chunky.