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Crockpot sausage and peppers is an easy slow cooker recipe with Italian sausages, bell peppers and onions in a flavorful tomato sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or game day!
Growing up, my grandma and mom made their traditional fried sausage and peppers recipe nearly every Saturday for dinner, but this Italian sausage recipe slow cooker version is even easier! Plus, you can make this easy crockpot recipe anytime, even when it’s too hot to bake, grill or stand over a hot stove!
My favorite way to enjoy crock pot sausage, peppers and onions is on Italian rolls or hoagie rolls with plenty of melty provolone cheese. Yum!
Why you’ll love this Italian Sausage recipe
Slow cooking makes the sausages tender and super flavorful.
It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and ready to eat when you are.
You can easy adjust the amounts to feed your family or a crowd for game days or get togethers!
What You Need
Here are the basic ingredients for slow cooker sausage and peppers. Full amounts are listed in the printable recipe card below.
- Italian sausage links — We love the extra spice from hot sausages, but mild or sweet Italian sausage is fine
- Onion — cut into thin slices
- Bell peppers — I use a blend of yellow and red bell peppers, but any color will work
- Tomato sauce — a large can
- Spices — garlic powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning
- Olive oil — for the crockpot and the skillet
How to Make Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
First, I like to brown the sausages in a skillet for extra flavor. Then, I add the tomato sauce and spices to the slow cooker, and place the seared sausages on top. I also fry the onions until they start to soften. Then, I add the onions and peppers to the crock pot and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low.
Quick Tips
It’s not necessary to brown the sausages, but this step really does add flavor and texture. Just cook them until they start to brown on both sides — about 2 minutes per side.
Browning the onions also adds flavor and brings out the sweetness. I don’t cook the peppers since we prefer the firmer texture.
Add a pinch of salt to the onions when frying to release the juices.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can freeze the sausages and sauce for up to 3 months. Or, make this leftover sausage and peppers pasta dish!
Variation
You can substitute your favorite brand of marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce in place of tomato sauce.
If you prefer sweeter sauce, add a teaspoon or 2 of sugar before serving. You can also spice it up with red pepper flakes, especially if you are using mild sausage.
More Ways to Cook Italian Sausage and Peppers
This is one of my family’s favorite comfort foods, and I have made it many different ways, including on the Blackstone griddle and in the Instant Pot and air fryer. We also like it baked in the oven and the traditional stove top recipe.
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients
- 4-6 Italian sausage links hot or mild
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 16 oz canned tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 yellow onion thinly sliced
- 3 bell peppers seeded and sliced into strips
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, cook the sausages in 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium heat until brown on both sides
- Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to the slow cooker, then add the tomato sauce
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder and pepper
- Place the seared sausages in the tomato sauce
- In the same skillet, cook the onions until they start to soften
- Place onions on top of sausages and place peppers on top of onions
- Cover, and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours or until cooked through
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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