Supreme Pizza Fondue

8 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 26- to 30-ounce jar meatless spaghetti sauce
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 3 1/2-ounce package pepperoni or Canadian-style bacon, chopped
2 teaspoons dried basil or oregano, crushed
1 cup sliced, pitted ripe olives (optional)
1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper (optional)
Vegetable dippers, mozzarella or provolone cheese cubes, or whole
grain bread cubes

In a large skillet cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until meat is
brown. Drain off fat.

In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine spaghetti sauce,
mushrooms, pepperoni, and basil. Stir in the sausage mixture.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 3 hours. If desired, stir in
ripe olives and sweet pepper; cover and cook for 15 minutes more. To
serve, spear the dippers with fondue forks and dip into the fondue.

Makes 5-1/2 cups dip.