Begin by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and lean ground beef, breaking them apart with a spatula. Add the finely diced shallots and the onion soup mix. Cook for about 5-8 minutes until the meats are browned and the shallots are translucent. Transfer this mixture to your slow cooker.

Slice the large white mushrooms and poke eyes into each mushroom slice to create spooky ghosts.

Chop the carrots into fun shapes resembling pumpkins or standard slices.

Combine the cooked meat mixture with the mushroom 'ghosts' and shaped carrots in the slow cooker.

Sprinkle the second packet of onion soup mix over the ingredients. Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, and red wine vinegar. Stir well.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours until vegetables are tender.

Once cooking time is complete, ladle the stew into bowls and consider garnishing with fresh herbs. Serve with crusty bread or a side salad.