If you’re searching for that ideal weeknight dinner that balances incredible flavor with minimal effort, look no further than this delightful Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe. This beloved classic transforms simple ingredients into a rich, savory, and comforting meal that practically cooks itself. Imagine tender, juicy Italian sausages nestled amongst sweet bell peppers and onions, all simmered in a robust marinara sauce, filling your home with an irresistible aroma. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” dish, delivering hearty flavors that will please the whole family, leaving you with more time to relax and less time chained to the stove.
This versatile dish is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for a casual family dinner, a lively game day gathering, or even a cozy get-together with friends. The beauty of cooking sausage and peppers in a slow cooker is how it renders the Italian sausages incredibly tender, allowing them to absorb all the delicious seasonings and the vibrant flavors of the sauce. Meanwhile, the bell peppers soften to perfection, releasing their natural sweetness, creating a harmonious blend that is simply irresistible. Whether you serve it traditionally in a crusty hoagie roll, spoon it over a bed of al dente pasta, or enjoy it as a satisfying standalone meal, this Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is guaranteed to be a hit every single time!
My family absolutely adores this recipe. It’s the kind of hearty, comforting meal that brings everyone to the table with anticipation. The rich sauce, the succulent sausage, and the tender-crisp peppers create a symphony of textures and tastes that make it an instant favorite. I always make sure to prepare a generous batch, not only because it’s so popular, but also because the leftovers are arguably even better the next day! The flavors have more time to meld and deepen overnight, making for a quick and equally delicious lunch or dinner. It’s a testament to the power of slow cooking and simple, quality ingredients coming together to create something truly special.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe
There are countless reasons why this Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers recipe deserves a permanent spot in your weekly meal rotation. Beyond its incredible flavor, its simplicity and versatility truly set it apart. Here’s why this dish is a total game-changer for busy home cooks:
- Effortless Preparation: The slow cooker does 90% of the work! After a quick browning of the sausage and some chopping, simply layer your ingredients, set the timer, and walk away. You’ll return to a perfectly cooked meal with minimal hands-on time.
- Maximum Flavor Development: Slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld beautifully. The sausages release their savory juices into the sauce, while the peppers and onions soften and sweeten, creating a rich, deeply flavored dish that tastes like it simmered all day – because it did!
- Incredibly Versatile: This recipe is a culinary chameleon! Serve it in dozens of ways: on a hoagie roll for a classic sandwich, over pasta, polenta, rice, or even low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. It adapts to any dietary preference or craving.
- Crowd-Pleaser: From picky eaters to gourmet palates, everyone loves the comforting taste of Italian sausage and peppers. It’s hearty, satisfying, and reminiscent of classic Italian-American comfort food.
- Fantastic for Meal Prep: This dish reheats wonderfully, making it ideal for meal prepping lunches or dinners throughout the week. The flavors only get better overnight, making leftovers a desirable treat.
- Economical & Accessible Ingredients: Made with readily available and affordable ingredients, this recipe is kind to your wallet without compromising on taste or quality.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet robust ingredient list. Each component plays a crucial role in building the irresistible flavor profile of your Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for selecting the best ones:
- Italian Sausage Links: This is the star of the show! I typically opt for mild Italian sausage for a balanced flavor that everyone enjoys. However, feel free to customize based on your preference:
- Hot Italian Sausage: If you love a little kick, go for the spicy variety.
- Sweet Italian Sausage: Often contains fennel and a touch of sugar, adding another layer of depth.
- Combination: A mix of mild and hot can provide a fantastic balance of heat and flavor.
Look for high-quality sausages from your local butcher or a reputable grocery store. Browning them beforehand adds a crucial layer of flavor and texture that truly elevates the dish.
- Yellow Onion: Onions provide a sweet aromatic base for the sauce. While yellow onions are my go-to for their balanced flavor and ability to caramelize nicely, you have options:
- Brown Onion: Similar to yellow, great for savory dishes.
- White Onion: A bit sharper, but still works well.
- Sweet Onion (Vidalia, Walla Walla): Will add extra sweetness to the dish, complementing the peppers beautifully.
Always use fresh onions; their natural sugars contribute significantly to the dish’s depth.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is non-negotiable for this recipe! Its pungent, aromatic qualities are essential for building a rich flavor base.
- Why fresh matters: Jarred minced garlic often has a muted flavor and can sometimes carry an off-putting preservative taste. For a dish where garlic is a key player, taking the extra minute to mince fresh cloves makes all the difference.
- Red Bell Peppers: Sweet, vibrant, and packed with vitamins. Red peppers offer a wonderful sweetness and beautiful color to the dish. They soften deliciously in the slow cooker, becoming melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Yellow Bell Peppers: Similar to red, yellow bell peppers contribute another layer of sweetness and a sunny hue, making your final dish visually appealing and bursting with flavor.
- Green Bell Pepper: Green peppers are slightly less sweet and have a more robust, earthy flavor compared to their red and yellow counterparts. Including a green pepper adds a subtle bitterness and complexity that rounds out the overall taste profile.
- Mix & Match: I love using a combination of red, yellow, and green bell peppers not only for their varied flavors but also because their vibrant colors make the dish incredibly attractive. Remember to seed and slice them into uniform strips for even cooking.
- Italian Seasoning: This aromatic blend of dried herbs (like oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and sage) is the backbone of the Italian flavor.
- Salt-Free is Key: Opt for a salt-free blend to control the sodium content yourself.
- Watch for Sugar: Some commercial blends may contain added sugar. Italian seasoning typically shouldn’t have sugar, and this recipe gets plenty of natural sweetness from the bell peppers and marinara.
- Marinara Sauce: The sauce brings everything together, providing a rich, tomatoey base.
- Your Favorite Brand: Use your favorite high-quality store-bought marinara sauce. Look for one with good ingredients and no added sugar if possible.
- Homemade Option: If you have a go-to homemade marinara, this recipe is an excellent way to use it! The flavors will be even more vibrant.
How To Make Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing this incredibly flavorful Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is remarkably straightforward, making it ideal for even the busiest of days. Follow these simple steps to create a hearty and delicious meal:
- Prepare the Slow Cooker Base: Begin by pouring your favorite marinara sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker insert. This creates a flavorful bed for the sausages and helps prevent sticking. Set your slow cooker to high heat and cover it with the lid while you prepare the remaining ingredients. This allows the sauce to gently warm and ensures your slow cooker is ready to go.
- Sear the Sausages for Flavor: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the Italian sausage links until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust on all sides. This step is crucial for building deep, caramelized flavor, known as the Maillard reaction, which you won’t get just from slow cooking. There’s no need to cook them all the way through at this stage; we’re just focusing on that delicious exterior. If your sausages are particularly lean, add about a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan to prevent them from sticking. Once nicely browned, transfer the sausages to the slow cooker, arranging them neatly on top of the marinara sauce.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Using the same skillet (don’t clean it yet – those fond bits are flavor!), reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced yellow onions and sauté them until they are soft and translucent, which typically takes about 8 minutes. This step draws out their natural sweetness. Next, add the minced fresh garlic to the pan and cook for just another minute until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly. Layer these aromatic cooked onions and garlic over the sausages in the slow cooker.
- Add the Bell Peppers and Seasoning: Evenly distribute the vibrant sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers over the layer of onions and garlic in the slow cooker. Their colors will add a beautiful pop to the dish. Generously sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the top of the peppers. This ensures the herbs permeate throughout the vegetables and sauce as they cook.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook the sausage and peppers on high for 3 hours, or on low for 5 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model, so always ensure the sausages reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety. The peppers should be tender but still hold their shape, and the sauce will be rich and bubbly.
- Serve and Savor: Once cooked, your Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers are ready to enjoy! Serve them hot on toasted hoagie buns (perhaps with a sprinkle of provolone or mozzarella cheese that melts beautifully from the residual heat), or over your favorite pasta for a hearty Italian-American classic. For a comforting, creamy meal, polenta is an excellent choice. You can also pair them with rice, mashed potatoes, or simply enjoy them on their own as a fulfilling protein and vegetable-packed meal. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for an added touch of freshness and color.
Step-By-Step Process Visuals
Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips for Success
While Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is a remarkably simple dish, a few insider tips from Chef Jenn can elevate your results from good to absolutely outstanding:
- Spice it Up: Don’t be afraid to experiment with heat! If you prefer a little more zest in your life, swap out mild Italian sausage for its spicy counterpart. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce along with the Italian seasoning for an extra layer of warmth.
- Don’t Skip the Browning: While it might seem like an extra step that slows down the “slow cooker” aspect, browning the sausage links before adding them to the crock pot is truly a game-changer. This crucial step creates a delicious, caramelized crust, locking in juices and developing deep, savory flavors that you simply can’t achieve through slow cooking alone. It adds incredible depth and complexity to the overall dish.
- Achieving the Perfect Sauce Consistency: If you find your sauce is a little thinner than you prefer after cooking, here’s a trick: remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to an hour of cooking time. This allows some of the excess liquid to evaporate, resulting in a naturally thicker, more concentrated sauce. Alternatively, you can remove the cooked sausages and vegetables, then whisk a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) into the sauce in the slow cooker, cooking on high for another 15-20 minutes until thickened.
- The Leftover Advantage: This dish is one of those rare recipes that truly tastes even better the next day! The flavors have a chance to meld and deepen overnight in the refrigerator, creating a more harmonious and intense profile. Make extra to ensure you have delicious leftovers for easy lunches or dinners later in the week.
- Fresh Herbs for a Finish: A sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley just before serving can brighten the flavors and add a professional touch to your dish. The fresh herbs provide a lovely aromatic contrast to the rich, slow-cooked components.
- Vary Your Vegetables: While bell peppers and onions are classic, feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables during the last hour of cooking. Mushrooms, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach can be excellent additions for extra nutrition and flavor.
Recommended Pairings & Variations
Beyond its inherent deliciousness, Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers shines in its versatility. Here are some ideas for turning it into a complete meal and customizing it to your liking:
Make It A Meal
Pair Crock Pot Sausage & Peppers with a side of Classic Caesar Salad for a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich, savory sausage and hearty sauce. The vibrant greens and tangy dressing provide a perfect counterpoint to the slow-cooked goodness. For a heartier meal, here are some excellent serving suggestions:
- Hoagie Style: The most classic way! Serve the sausages and peppers on toasted crusty hoagie rolls or sub buns. Add a slice of provolone or mozzarella cheese for an extra layer of decadence that melts beautifully from the heat.
- Over Pasta: A natural pairing. Spoon the flavorful sausage and pepper mixture over your favorite pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti, for a truly satisfying Italian-American dinner.
- Creamy Polenta: This is my personal favorite! The creamy, subtle corn flavor of polenta provides a luxurious base that perfectly complements the robust sauce and tender ingredients. It’s an elevated comfort food experience.
- With Rice or Quinoa: For a gluten-free option or a different texture, serve the mixture over fluffy white rice, brown rice, or protein-rich quinoa.
- Mashed Potatoes: A comforting choice, especially on a chilly evening. The creamy mashed potatoes soak up all the delicious sauce.
- Low-Carb Options: For those watching their carb intake, serve over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles (zoodles), or simply enjoy it on its own as a protein- and vegetable-packed meal.
Creative Variations
- Add a Splash of Wine: For an even deeper flavor, deglaze the pan after browning the sausages and sautéing the onions with a splash of dry red or white wine (about 1/4 cup) before adding to the slow cooker.
- Cheese, Please! Stir in some shredded Parmesan or mozzarella during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a cheesy twist, or sprinkle individual servings with fresh grated Parmesan.
- Herb Power: Beyond Italian seasoning, consider adding a bay leaf during cooking and removing before serving, or a pinch of fresh oregano or thyme for an extra layer of herbaceousness.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: For a meat-free version, use plant-based Italian sausages and increase the amount of bell peppers and onions, or add mushrooms for extra umami.
- Smoky Flavor: A pinch of smoked paprika can add a subtle smoky undertone that pairs wonderfully with the peppers and sausage.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is a dream for meal prep and makes for fantastic leftovers. Proper storage ensures you can enjoy this delicious dish for days to come:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover sausage and peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors truly deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: Gently warm the mixture in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If it seems a little dry, add a splash of water or chicken broth.
- Microwave: For individual portions, microwave on medium power, stirring halfway through, until thoroughly heated.
- Freezing for Later: This dish freezes exceptionally well!
- Preparation: Allow the sausage and peppers to cool completely.
- Packaging: Transfer the cooled mixture to freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. If using bags, squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. You can freeze it in individual portions for easy grab-and-go meals, or in larger batches.
- Freezer Life: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thawing & Reheating: Thaw frozen leftovers in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat using the stovetop or microwave methods described above.
- Meal Prep Perfection: Make a large batch on Sunday, and you’ll have easy, delicious meals ready for the entire week. Portion it out with your chosen side (pasta, rice, polenta, or low-carb options) for quick lunches or effortless dinners.
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Crock Pot Sausage & Peppers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Italian sausage links
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 red peppers seeded and sliced about ¼-inch thick
- 2 yellow peppers seeded and sliced about ¼-inch thick
- 1 green pepper seeded and sliced about ¼-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Instructions
- Pour the marinara sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker insert and set it to high. Cover with the lid while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Sear the sausage links until they develop a golden-brown crust, turning them once or twice. There’s no need to cook them all the way through. If your sausage is lean, add a tablespoon of oil to prevent sticking. Once browned, transfer the sausages to the slow cooker, placing them on top of the sauce.
- Sauté the sliced onions over medium heat until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Layer the cooked onions and garlic over the sausages in the slow cooker.
- Distribute the sliced bell peppers evenly over the onions, then sprinkle Italian seasoning on top.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours, until the sausages are fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
- Enjoy the sausage and peppers on toasted buns with a sprinkle of cheese, or serve over pasta or creamy polenta for a comforting meal.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Prefer a little heat? Use spicy Italian sausage instead of mild or sweet varieties.
- Browning the sausage beforehand enhances the flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step.
- If you want a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
- This dish tastes even better the next day! Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors meld before reheating.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.