Crockpot Italian Style Meat Loaf

1 (8 oz.) can pizza sauce

1 beaten egg

1/2 C. chopped onion

1/2 C. chopped green sweet pepper

1/3 C. fine dry seasoned bread crumbs
 
1/2 t. garlic salt

1/4 t. pepper

1/4 t. fennel seed, crushed, optional
 
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef

1/2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

Reserve 1/3 cup pizza sauce; cover and chill. In a medium mixing bowl combine remaining pizza sauce and egg. Stir in onion, green pepper, bread crumbs, garlic salt, pepper and fennel. Add ground beef and mix well.

Crisscross three 18 x 2-inch foil strips (atop a sheet of waxed paper to keep counter clean.) In center of the foil strips shape a 6-inch round meat loaf. Bringing up foil strips, lift and transfer meat and foil to crockpot. Press meat away from sides of the cooker to avoid burning.

Cover; cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours ( or to 170° F. internal temperature)

Spread meat with reserved pizza sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover cooker and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.

Using foil strips, carefully lift meat loaf and transfer to a serving plate; discard the foil strips.