Crock-Pot Spaghetti Meat Sauce

½ lb sweet Italian sausage (optional)
1 lb hamburger
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded & chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T sugar
1 T salt
2 tsp leaf basil
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
2 can (16 oz each) Italian style tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

Brown meat; drain well. Add to crock-pot with remaining ingredients; stir well. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Can add sliced mushrooms and olives the last hour of cooking. This sauce freezes very well.