Slow Cooker Pizza Joes

 

2

lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

2

medium onions, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2

cup chopped green bell pepper (1/2 medium)

2

jars (14 oz each) pizza sauce

1

package (3.5 oz) sliced pepperoni, chopped (about 3/4 cup)

1

teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/2

teaspoon dried oregano leaves

18

sandwich buns, split

2

cups shredded mozzarella cheese (2 oz)

• 1 In 12-inch skillet, cook ground beef and onions over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.
• 2 Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Spoon beef mixture into slow cooker. Stir in bell pepper, pizza sauce, pepperoni, basil and oregano.
• 3 Cover; cook on Low setting 4 to 6 hours.
• 4 To assemble sandwiches, spoon about 1/3 cup beef mixture onto bottom halves of buns. Top each with scant 2 tablespoons cheese. Cover with top halves of buns.