Ingredients

• 1-1/2  pounds bulk Italian sausage or lean ground beef
• 1  medium onion, cut into thin wedges
• 1  15-ounce can pizza sauce with cheese
• 1  14.5-ounce can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
• 2  cups frozen (yellow, green, and red) peppers and onion stir-fry vegetables
• 1  4.5-ounce jar (drained weight) sliced mushrooms, drained, or one 2.25-ounce can sliced pitted ripe olives, drained
• 1  16-ounce loaf Italian bread or French baguette, halved lengthwise
• 1  8-ounce package (2 cups) shredded pizza cheese

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Place cooked meat mixture in a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Stir in pizza sauce, undrained tomatoes, stir-fry vegetables, and mushrooms.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours.

3. Arrange bread, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden. Spoon meat mixture on top of bread slices. Sprinkle with pizza cheese. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes more or until cheese melts. Cut into 10 pieces.