pat's Recipe

Italian Grinder Dip

Category: Dips - served warm

1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup chopped green sweet pepper (1 medium)
1 4 ounce can (drained weight)sliced mushrooms, drained
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 14 - 15 ounce can pizza sauce
Sliced garlic bread and/or ciabatta bread, toasted
Shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef, sausage, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until meat is brown, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat.

2. In a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine meat mixture, sweet pepper, mushrooms, fennel seeds, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper. Stir in pizza sauce.

3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Serve on toasted bread; top with cheese.