Slow Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes Recipes

SLOW-COOKER ITALIAN SLOPPY JOES

Steps:

• Cook the beef, sausage, peppers and onion in a Dutch oven over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, tomato paste, garlic and bay leaves., Cover and cook on high until flavors are blended, 4-5 hours. Discard bay leaves. Serve on buns, 1/2 cup on each. Freeze option: 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 broth or water if necessary.

ITALIAN SLOPPY JOES

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil and the beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is well browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove the beef and drain off the fat.
• To the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and cook the peppers and onions until soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute or 2. Add the tomatoes, sugar, oregano and basil and bring to a simmer. Return the beef to the pan and simmer until the mixture is nice and thick, about 10 minutes. If it gets too thick, thin it with a little water. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To serve: Spoon a nice portion of sauce over each of 4 slices of the Garlic Toast. Let the sauce cascade over the sides, then prop a second piece of Garlic Toast over to the side of each. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet.
• In a bowl, mix together the butter, Parmesan, oil, parsley, garlic powder, paprika and oregano until it forms a paste. Season with salt and pepper, then spread the mixture on the bread.
• Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE SLOPPY JOES

Steps:

• 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., 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., To serve, place cheese on bun bottoms; top with meat mixture and, if desired, peppers. Close sandwiches. Freeze option: 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.