FIRE-ROASTED TOMATO AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE GRINDERS

10 uncooked hot or sweet Italian sausage links

2 (14.5-ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp dried basil, crushed

1 tsp dried oregano, crushed

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

10 French-style rolls or hoagie buns, split

10 slices provolone cheese, halved

3/4 cup roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into strips.

Place sausage links in a 5 to 6-quarta slow cooker. For sauce, in a large bowl stir together diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

To serve, preheat broiler. Place a sausage link on each roll bottom, reserving sauce in cooker. Place a half slice of cheese on each sausage link and half-slice of cheese on the cut side of each roll top. Place roll bottoms with sausage on a baking sheet. Broil 4 to 5-inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

To serve, top with roasted peppers and roll tops. Serve reserved sauce in individual bowls for dipping.

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