Spicy Sausage Pizza Dip

ratherbeswimmin''s Note:

Made this for New Year's football watchin'. Very popular with my family and guests.

• Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 14

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 2⁄3; cup chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic , minced
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (14 ½ ounce) can tomatoes , cut up
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• ½ cup chopped pitted ripe olives (optional)
• breadstick
• breaded mozzarella cheese sticks
• tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Cook the sausage, onion, and garlic in a large non-stick skillet until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender; stir to crumble sausage as you cook; drain mixture well.
2. Add sausage mixture to a 4-quart slow-cooker.
3. Add in the next 7 ingredients; stir to combine.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours.
5. Add in olives; stir.
6. Serve with breadsticks, fried breaded mozzarella cheese sticks, or tortilla chips as dippers.