This Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers dish is a simple, satisfying, and nutritious dinner idea. It’s a classic Italian dish that combines juicy sausages, colorful bell peppers, onions, garlic, and marinara sauce, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker.
You can serve it over bread, pasta, rice, or cauliflower rice, or enjoy it on its own. It’s gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly, too!
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History of Sausage
Sausage has been a vital component in people’s diets for twenty centuries. The first recognizable mention of this meat is found in a Greek play called “The Orya,” or “The Sausage,” written about 500 B.C. Today, there are hundreds of varieties of sausages, each with its own distinctive flavor, texture, and cooking method.
Some of the most popular sausages include bratwurst, salami, chorizo, kielbasa, andouille, and frankfurter. Sausages are enjoyed as snacks, appetizers, main courses, or ingredients in other dishes. They are a staple of many cuisines and cultures, and a source of culinary creativity and innovation.
Why This Sausage and Peppers Recipe is a Keeper
You can use any kind of sausage you like, such as sweet or spicy Italian sausage, chicken or turkey sausage, kielbasa, or bratwurst. You can also customize the flavor by adding more or less garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, or red chili flakes. The slow cooker does all the work for you, making the sausages tender and the peppers and onions soft and sweet. The result is a delicious and hearty meal that the whole family will love!
- Easy Ingredients: This recipe is super easy to make, with just a few minutes of prep time and a few common ingredients.
- Family Friendly: There is something for everyone. Juicy meat, bell peppers and onions all in a tangy tomato sauce.
- Adaptable: Can make it keto, dairy free or even meat free. Serve over pasta or with hoagie rolls.
If you’re looking for more sausage recipes, try these Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole, Old Fashioned Sausage Stuffing with Apples and Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls.
Can you use Frozen Sausage for this Crockpot Sausage and Peppers Recipe?
It is not recommended by the USDA for safety reasons. Frozen sausage may take too long to cook to a safe temperature, allowing bacteria to grow. It may also release too much fat and make the dish greasy.
However, if you are in a hurry, you can cut the frozen sausage into small pieces and cook it on high for 3 to 4 hours until cooked all the way and sausage is tender. Always check the temperature of the sausage with a meat thermometer before serving. It should be at least 165°F.
Ingredient Notes for Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
This is one of our favorite Italian foods as it is cooked low and slow. In fact, it is my go to recipe for parties and it usually is eaten to the bottom of the crockpot. It is a healthy recipe you can make extra Italian sausage and use it in other recipes.
- Italian sausage links: A combination of hot Italian sausage and sweet Italian sausage are great for this great recipe.
- Bell peppers: Green bell peppers are great or use a variety of colors.
- Crushed tomatoes: Any can of your favorite variety of tomatoes.
- Seasoning: Italian seasoning and All purpose seasoning are the perfect additions to add extra flavor for this dish.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Slow Cooker Sausage Peppers and Onions in the Crock Pot
You can enjoy the recipe for sausage and peppers with so many variations and additions.
- Best Sausage: The variety of flavors are amazing. Try chicken sausage, Italian Turkey sausage, vegan or mild Italian pork, just to name a few. Use ground sausage instead of the links for this crockpot recipe.
- Hot Peppers: Along with the bell peppers add a few slices of hot peppers to mix up the flavors for this sausage with peppers.
- Cooking variation: Make this versatile dish on the stove top, on the grill or the instant pot.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Sausage and Peppers
I used sweet Italian sausage and hot sausage. The sausage was so tender when done in the crockpot.
- Crock Pot: There are so many varieties with an array of features to chose from.
How to Make Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
The slow cooker does all the work for you, making the sausages tender and the peppers and onions soft and sweet. The result is a delicious and hearty meal that the whole family will love!
These are the basic steps for making Italian Sausage and Peppers Crockpot Recipe. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. You can’t wait to try this recipe and thanks so much for trying and sharing.
STEP 1: Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot
First, slice the peppers and onions. Then add the raw Italian sausage links, onions and peppers and garlic to the slow cooker pot. Then pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with the Italian Seasoning blend and the All Purpose Blend.
STEP 2: Cook the Italian Sausage and Peppers
Finally, stir to combine; Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or cook on high for 4 hours in the crockpot until sausage is cooked. Remove the sausage and slice into rounds if desired.
Recipe FAQs for Easy Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
Expert Tips for Making This Italian Sausage Recipe
This slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe makes a flavorful meal with its pork sausage, sliced yellow onions and sliced bell peppers. That, along with the seasoning, really enhances the final dish when you cook it low and slow.
- Double: Double the recipe in a larger slow cooker. This crockpot meal is great for parties or game day celebrations.
- Add Different Vegetables: You can add sliced potatoes, mushrooms and frozen peas to the meal. Seasoning try a little red pepper flakes or use a little heat if you like.
- Brown the Sausage: It is not necessary but you can cook the sausage in a skillet if you like.
- Short cut tip: No need to cut the onions and peppers, frozen sliced peppers and onions from the freezer section. Do not cut the onions and peppers too thin or they will dissolve into the sausage and marinara.
- Slow Cook Clean Up: Use a crock pot liner to make clean up a breeze.
- Pasta: Try linguine, fettuccini, spaghetti or ziti. They are all wonderful with the sausage and peppers.
- Sauce: If you are not a fan of crushed tomatoes you can use your favorite pasta sauce or make your own homemade sauce. Make your own or use your favorite jar spaghetti sauce kind.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers Recipes
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Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Italian sausage links, I use a combination of hot and sweet
- 4 Bell peppers, sliced
- 1 Onion, sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic, sliced
- 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons All purpose seasoning
Optional
- 1 pound Linguine, cooked
- Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Place sausage links, sliced bell peppers, sliced onions and sliced garlic in a slow cooker.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes.
- Season with Italian seasoning and All Purpose seasoning.
- Stir to combine; Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
- OPTIONAL: Serve over hot linguine and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips
- Double: Double the recipe in a larger slow cooker. This crockpot meal is great for parties or game day celebrations.
- Add Different Vegetables: You can add sliced potatoes, mushrooms and frozen peas to the meal. Seasoning try a little red pepper flakes or use a little heat if you like.
- Brown the Sausage: It is not necessary but you can cook the sausage in a skillet if you like.
- Short cut tip: No need to cut the onions and peppers, frozen sliced peppers and onions from the freezer section. Do not cut the onions and peppers too thin or they will dissolve into the sausage and marinara.
- Slow Cook Clean Up: Use a crock pot liner to make clean up a breeze.
- Pasta: Try linguine, fettuccini, spaghetti or ziti. They are all wonderful with the sausage and peppers.
- Sauce: If you are not a fan of crushed tomatoes you can use your favorite pasta sauce or make your own homemade sauce. Make your own or use your favorite jar spaghetti sauce kind.
This was an excellent recipe my wife loved it and the ingredients all came together was remarkable. I have made it twice and it gets better every time I have made it so I will keep this in my go to recipes.