Effortless Comfort: The Best Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Sausage and peppers is more than just a dish; it’s a culinary hug, a beloved staple in Italian-American kitchens, and a go-to for hearty, satisfying meals. This slow cooker rendition elevates the classic, bringing you perfectly tender peppers and onions, succulent sausage, and a rich, deeply flavored tomato sauce, all with minimal effort. Imagine coming home to the enticing aroma of this wholesome dish – that’s the magic of crock pot cooking. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, bursting with authentic Italian-inspired flavors, and surprisingly healthy, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend gatherings.
This iconic Italian-American comfort food is renowned for its harmonious blend of flavors. The meat is savory and juicy, while the onions and bell peppers become wonderfully sweet and cooked to the perfect, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Cooking sausage and peppers in the slow cooker ensures that all the ingredients are tender, moist, and never overcooked. This method also significantly deepens the intensity of the flavors, making for an effortlessly delicious dinner that you simply must try.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe
I make this hearty comfort food all the time, and it has quickly become a family favorite. Here’s why this crock pot sausage and peppers recipe deserves a permanent spot in your cooking rotation:
- Effortlessly Easy. This recipe truly defines ‘set it and forget it.’ You’ll spend mere minutes on prep work, allowing your slow cooker to do all the heavy lifting. There’s no constant stirring, no worrying about overcooking – just perfectly cooked ingredients bathed in a rich, flavorful sauce, ready when you are. It’s ideal for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, promising a delicious outcome every single time with minimal fuss.
- Incredibly Versatile. One of the standout features of this Italian sausage and peppers recipe is its incredible adaptability. While it shines as a classic sandwich filler, especially when loaded onto a crusty roll with gooey melted mozzarella, its potential extends far beyond. Spoon it over a bed of al dente pasta for a complete meal, wrap it in a warm tortilla for a quick and satisfying lunch, or even incorporate it into a savory omelet for a unique breakfast or brunch. The possibilities are truly endless, making this a fantastic staple to add to your meal rotation.
- Perfect for Large Batches. Whether you’re feeding a small family or preparing for a gathering, this slow cooker recipe effortlessly scales up. The provided quantities serve four, but you can easily double or even triple the ingredients to fit your slow cooker’s capacity without needing to adjust the cooking time significantly. This makes it perfect for meal prepping for the week ahead, hosting dinner parties, or simply ensuring you have delicious leftovers for days to come.
- Healthy & Wholesome. Beyond its comforting flavors, this dish is surprisingly nutritious. Packed with colorful bell peppers, sweet onions, and often lean Italian chicken sausage (though traditional pork is also fantastic), it’s a balanced meal that delivers on taste without compromising your health goals. The slow cooking process also helps to retain nutrients and flavors, resulting in a wholesome meal you can feel good about serving to your loved ones.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of fresh ingredients to bring this hearty and healthy classic comfort food to life. Make sure to check out the detailed recipe card at the bottom of the page for the exact amounts of each ingredient.
- Sausage links – Opt for good quality Italian sausage. I often use lean Italian chicken sausage for a healthier option, but traditional pork Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot) works beautifully, offering a richer flavor and authentic taste. If using raw pork sausage, you might consider browning it briefly before adding it to the slow cooker for extra depth, though it’s not strictly necessary for this recipe.
- Yellow bell pepper – Using both yellow and red bell peppers adds a vibrant visual appeal and a delightful sweet contrast to the savory sausage and tangy marinara.
- Red bell pepper – Complements the yellow pepper for color and sweetness. You could also incorporate green bell peppers for a slightly more peppery, bitter note if preferred.
- Onion – A yellow onion is best for this recipe as it caramelizes beautifully and becomes incredibly tender and sweet during the long cook time. Red or white onions are also suitable, each offering a slightly different aromatic profile.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is key for that aromatic base. Don’t skimp on it; it adds immense depth of flavor to the sauce and is a cornerstone of Italian-inspired cuisine.
- Marinara sauce – A good quality marinara sauce makes all the difference in this dish. Choose your favorite brand, or even use homemade if you have it on hand. A rich, robust tomato base is crucial for binding all the flavors together and creating a truly comforting meal.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – This is an optional ingredient, but a generous topping of shredded mozzarella cheese adds a wonderful creamy, melted texture that truly elevates this dish, especially when served in a sandwich or over pasta.
- Optional additions: Consider a pinch of dried oregano or basil, or even a bay leaf, for an extra layer of classic Italian seasoning to further enhance the flavors.
How to Make Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Get ready to be amazed at how simple it is to prepare this super easy sausage, onions, and peppers dinner. This recipe truly simplifies mealtime!
- Prepare the Veggies. Begin by preparing your vibrant bell peppers and sweet onion. Thinly slice them into uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly and become perfectly tender. Place these colorful vegetables directly into the base of your slow cooker, forming a flavorful bed for the other ingredients.
- Add the Aromatics and Sauce. Next, introduce the aromatic minced garlic. Pour your rich marinara sauce generously over the vegetables and garlic. Give it a good stir to ensure everything is well combined and the flavors can begin to meld beautifully even before cooking begins.
- Layer in the Sausage. Carefully arrange your Italian sausages on top of the seasoned pepper and sauce mixture. There’s no need to pre-cook them unless you prefer a browned crust; they will slowly infuse their savory juices into the sauce as they cook to perfection.
- Cook Low and Slow. Secure the lid onto your crock pot and set it to cook on low for 3-4 hours. This low-and-slow method is the secret to achieving incredibly tender vegetables and juicy sausage, allowing all the flavors to deepen and harmonize beautifully. Once cooked, give it a final gentle stir and serve warm.
- Add Optional Cheese. For an irresistible finish, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the hot sausage and peppers right before serving. Replace the lid for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is wonderfully melted and bubbly, creating a luscious, gooey topping that enhances every bite.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations for Perfection
Elevate your crock pot sausage and peppers with these helpful tips and exciting variations:
- Make Consistent Cuts. Achieving uniform cuts for your peppers and onions isn’t just about aesthetics; it ensures even cooking. While the slow cooker is forgiving, similarly sized pieces will result in a more pleasant and consistent texture throughout the dish, preventing some pieces from becoming overly soft while others remain slightly firm. This attention to detail will enhance your dining experience.
- Mix and Match Your Ingredients. Don’t hesitate to personalize this recipe to your taste. Experiment with different bell pepper colors (green for a sharper taste) or even add other vegetables like sliced zucchini, mushrooms, or a handful of fresh spinach during the last hour of cooking. For sausage, explore options like hot Italian sausage for a spicy kick, chicken apple sausage for a touch of sweetness, or even a plant-based sausage alternative for a vegetarian twist.
- Turn Up the Heat (Make it Spicy!). If you enjoy a bit of heat, there are several delicious ways to spice up your sausage and peppers. Incorporate a pinch (or more, to taste!) of crushed red pepper flakes with the marinara, finely dice a fresh jalapeño or serrano pepper and add it with the onions, or even drizzle in a touch of your favorite hot sauce at the end. Adjust to your preferred level of spice for a truly personalized dish.
- Browning Sausage (Optional but Recommended). While not strictly necessary for slow cooker recipes, briefly browning the sausages in a skillet for a few minutes before adding them to the crock pot can add a beautiful caramelized crust and an extra layer of savory depth to the final dish. This step enhances the overall flavor profile significantly, though it does add a little extra prep time.
- Adjusting Seasoning. Always taste your marinara sauce before adding it to the slow cooker. You might want to enhance the flavors with a pinch of salt, a grind of fresh black pepper, a dash of Italian seasoning, or a spoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. A bay leaf can also infuse subtle herbal notes during cooking for an added layer of complexity.
- Serving Suggestions Beyond Sandwiches. Beyond the classic hoagie, consider serving this dish over creamy polenta, fluffy mashed potatoes, or alongside a hearty grain like quinoa or farro. It also makes a fantastic topping for baked potatoes, a flavorful filling for Stromboli or calzones, or even as a base for a deconstructed lasagna.
What to Serve With Italian Sausage and Peppers
My absolute favorite way to enjoy crock pot sausage and peppers is undoubtedly in a warm sandwich, generously topped with melted mozzarella cheese. However, it’s also such a hearty and delicious meal to eat as a standalone entree. Here are a few side dish recipes that pair wonderfully, complementing its rich flavors:
- Bruschetta: Crispy bread topped with fresh tomatoes and herbs, offering a light, refreshing contrast to the hearty main dish.
- Copycat Crazy Bread: Soft, garlicky breadsticks perfect for soaking up every drop of that rich tomato sauce.
- Cheesy Garlic Bread: A classic Italian accompaniment, providing a comforting, savory side with irresistible melted cheese.
- Italian Pasta Salad: A cool, tangy pasta salad that balances the warmth and richness of the sausage and peppers beautifully.
- Chicken Caesar Salad: A crisp, fresh salad to lighten the meal and add a touch of vibrant greens and a creamy dressing.
- Homemade Coleslaw: For a different texture and a bit of refreshing crunch, coleslaw offers a tangy counterpoint that’s surprisingly delightful.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover crock pot sausage and peppers are often even more flavorful the next day, as the ingredients have more time to meld! Store them in a well-sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you have several convenient options: gently warm on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through, use the microwave in 30-60 second intervals, stirring occasionally, or for a larger batch, reheat covered in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly hot. Ensure it’s piping hot before serving.
Can You Freeze Sausage Peppers and Onions?
Absolutely! This Italian sausage and peppers recipe freezes beautifully, making it perfect for future quick and easy meals. Ensure the dish is completely cooled to room temperature before transferring it to freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will maintain its quality in the freezer for up to 3-6 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using any of the methods described above. This is a fantastic dish for meal prepping ahead of time, ensuring you always have a delicious homemade meal on hand!
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow cookers are truly invaluable appliances in any kitchen, making it incredibly easy to prepare healthy, comforting, and delicious dinners with minimal effort. Here are some more of my favorite crock pot dinner recipes that I think you’ll love:
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast
- Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
- Crock Pot Chili
- Slow Cooker Jambalaya
- Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
3 hours
3 hours
5 minutes
4
servings
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
-
4
sausage links,
I use Italian chicken sausage -
1
yellow bell pepper
,
sliced -
1
red bell pepper
,
sliced -
1
onion
,
sliced -
1
clove
garlic
,
minced -
2
cups
marinara sauce
-
1
cup
shredded mozzarella cheese
,
optional
Instructions
-
Add the bell peppers and the onions to the base of your slow cooker.1 yellow bell pepper,
1 red bell pepper,
1 onion -
Add the garlic and marinara sauce and stir to combine.1 clove garlic,
2 cups marinara sauce -
Place the sausages on top of the mixture.4 sausage links
-
Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours, then serve.
-
If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it over the top and put the lid on for 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Reheat on a stove over medium heat, in the microwave in 30-60 second increments, or in a 350F oven for 15-20 minutes.
- You can use any combinations of peppers, and any type of sausage to customize this dish to your liking.
Nutrition
Calories:
238
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
19
g
|
Protein:
12
g
|
Fat:
13
g
|
Saturated Fat:
5
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
6
g
|
Cholesterol:
36
mg
|
Sodium:
913
mg
|
Fiber:
3
g
|
Sugar:
10
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
3 hours
3 hours
5 minutes
Dinner Recipes
American
4
servings
238
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