Easy Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Our easy Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers offers a simple way to bring a comforting and hearty meal to your table with minimal effort.
We combined colorful bell peppers, onions, and Italian sausage simmered gently in a gently spiced and cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
Sausage and Peppers Crock Pot Recipe Highlights
- Prep in minutes, then let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting.
- Sweet Italian sausages paired with sweet bell peppers.
- A versatile dish that’s perfect with pasta, rice, or on a hoagie roll.
- Ideal for meal prep or feeding a crowd with minimal fuss.
- A colorful and appetizing addition to any meal.
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
OLIVE OIL – Helps brown the sausages, adding a layer of flavor.
SAUSAGES – The pork sausages add a nice balance to the dish but feel free to mix it up with spicy ones if you like a bit of heat.
BELL PEPPERS & ONION – These veggies soften in the slow cooker, absorbing the marinara sauce and spices for a tender, flavorful bite. I used a mix of red bell peppers, green, yellow, and orange. But feel free to use which every combination suits you best
MARINARA SAUCE – Acts as the base of the dish, enveloping the sausages and veggies in tomato goodness.
SEASONINGS – Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper add depth and bring out the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
How To Make Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Place onions and bell peppers in the slow cooker and sprinkle with seasonings.
- Brown sausages in a skillet.
- Add the browned sausages to the slow cooker on top of the veggies.
- Pour marinara sauce over all ingredients.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook for a few hours until done.
Serving Suggestions
OVER MASHED POTATOES – Serve the sausage and peppers on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting and hearty meal.
OVER PASTA – Spoon the sausage and peppers over your favorite pasta for a classic Italian meal.
BUN – Load up hoagie rolls with the mixture for a satisfying sandwich.
WITH RICE – Serve it atop a bed of steamed rice. For a low-carb option, try serving it over cauliflower rice.
AS A STANDALONE DISH – Enjoy it on its own, perhaps with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Leftovers
STORE – Allow the sausage and peppers to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
FREEZING – To freeze, portion the cooled sausage and peppers into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags and freeze them for up to 3 months.
REHEAT – Gently reheat the dish in the Crockpot on the warm setting, on the stovetop, or in the microwave until it’s heated through.
Recipe Success Tips
BROWN THE SAUSAGES – Browning the sausages before adding them to the slow cooker adds depth of flavor to them and helps seal in juices.
SLICE EVENLY – Slice the bell peppers and onions evenly to ensure they all cook at the same rate.
SEASONINGS – Taste the marinara sauce before adding it to the slow cooker and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
LOW AND SLOW – Cooking the dish on low heat allows the flavors to meld together beautifully without overcooking the ingredients.
STIR – If possible, give the ingredients in the slow cooker an occasional stir to ensure even cooking and distribution of flavors.
More Slow Cooker Pork Recipes
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use frozen bell peppers and onions?
Yes, you can use frozen bell peppers and onions if fresh ones are not available. However, fresh veggies will result in better texture and flavor.
Can I add wine to the sauce?
Absolutely! Adding a splash of red wine to the sauce can enhance its depth of flavor.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the Instant Pot by using the sauté function to brown the sausages and veggies before pressure cooking on high for about 15 minutes.
Can I use other types of sausage?
Feel free to experiment with different types of sausage, such as chorizo, kielbasa, bratwurst, or chicken sausage, for variety.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is big enough to accommodate the increased volume and adjust cooking times as needed.
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 links Italian sausages sweet
- 1 large yellow onion sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper sliced
- 1 large yellow bell pepper sliced
- 1 large orange bell pepper sliced
- 1 large green bell pepper sliced
- 1 24-ounce jar Marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add onions and peppers to the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Pour the marinara sauce over the vegetables.
- Brown Italian sausage links in olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Transfer the sausages to the slow cooker, placing them on top of the vegetables and marinara sauce.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the sausages are cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Equipment
Notes
SLOW COOKER TIMES:
ON LOW: 3-4 HOURSON HIGH 2-3 HOURS
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.