Categories: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 28 -ounce cans whole San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 1 6 -ounce can tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces), plus 1 small piece parmesan rind
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 pounds sweet and/or hot Italian sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 loaves Italian bread, cut into 3-inch pieces and split open
- Shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
Directions
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Combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves and parmesan rind in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 cup water, 1/4 cup parsley, 2 chopped garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
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Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a medium bowl; soak 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the beef, eggs, 1 cup parmesan, the remaining 1/4 cup parsley and 2 chopped garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the breadcrumb-milk mixture and mix with your hands until combined. With damp hands, shape into 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each; transfer to the slow cooker.
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Add the sausage pieces to the slow cooker, then cover and cook on low, 7 hours. Remove the bay leaves and parmesan rind and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on the bread and top with mozzarella.