Slow-Cooked Stuffed Pepper Stew

In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink, breaking up sausage into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain., In a 6-qt. slow cooker, combine sausage mixture, green peppers, brown sugar, beef base, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, tomatoes and tomato juice. Cook, covered, on low until vegetables are tender, 4-5 hours., Stir in rice. Cook, covered, until rice is tender, 15-20 minutes longer. Freeze option: Freeze cooled stew in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary.