Sweet Sausage & Tom. Sauce - Sweet or Hot Italian Sausage Cut into 1 inch slices (you can do this when partially frozen OR after it has cooked for a while) - One can of diced tomatoes (I used Del Monte Ialtian Style) Put sausage into crock pot and cover with diced tomatoes and cook on low approximately 6 hours. If you like a LOT of juice on your rice or noodles, just use two cans.