Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is a classic Italian-American comfort food dish. I’ve added my spin on it by cooking it in the crockpot! I included make-ahead and freezer meal directions in this post!

This simple comfort meal costs about $12.92 to make and serves eight. That is only $1.62 per serving. For a complete meal, serve it alongside this Italian Salad and this Baked Mac and Cheese.

Finished Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers with text overlay for Pinterest.

You will love these Sausage and Peppers in Crock Pot

This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is, in one word: effortless! You dump all of the ingredients into the slow cooker insert and let it cook!

This recipe is loaded with peppers, onion, and Italian sausage! I love this recipe because you make the sauce along with the sausage and peppers. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

This crockpot Sausage and Peppers recipe is fabulous for weeknight dinners, and it’s a favorite for serving for game day, tailgating, and even potlucks!

Crockpot Sausage and Peppers ingredients

RECIPE COST: $12.92

PER SERVING COST: $1.62

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes – $1.64
  • ¼ cup chicken broth – $0.08
  • 1 teaspoon salt – $0.06
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – $0.07
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano – $0.03
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds – $0.18
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil – $0.10
  • 8 Italian sausage links – $3.91
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.01
  • 1 large green bell pepper – $0.58
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves – $1.96
  • 1 large yellow onion – $0.62
  • 8 fresh Italian sandwich rolls – $3.68
A hand picking up sausage and peppers on an Italian sub.

How to make Italian Sausage and Peppers

STEP ONE: First, place the ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir the ingredients together.

STEP TWO: Next, add the veggies. Stir to combine.

STEP THREE: To finish, cover and cook on low for six hours. Before serving, stir in the chopped basil. 

Cook’s Tools:

  • chef’s knife
  • cutting board
  • large slow cooker (This is the 3rd slow cooker I’ve tried and the last one I’ll ever buy!)

Cook’s note – Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe

  • You can use a mix of hot, sweet, or mild Italian sausage in this recipe; use what you love! I like using a mix of hot and sweet.
  • You can serve these on some nice Italian rolls or grinders, as I did. They’re also deliciously served over pasta or on their own!
  • If you love sausage and peppers, then you need to try my Pasta recipe!

What to serve with this Italian Sausage and Peppers Crock Pot Recipe

A few of my favorite side dishes to serve with this meal are: 

Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe: Make-ahead Directions

Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker insert and place it in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to cook the sausage and peppers, place the insert on the slow cooker base, cook on high for 30 minutes, and then on low for 6 hours.

Tongs picking up an Italian sausage cooked in a slow cooker with onions, peppers, and sauce.

How to store Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

SERVE: Like with all recipes involving meat, you can keep this dish at room temperature for up to two hours before it will need to be stored in the refrigerator. 

STORE: You can keep the sausage and peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

How to make Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers as a freezer meal

Place all of the ingredients in a zip-top freezer bag. Squeeze all of the air out of the bag before sealing the top, and place it in the freezer.

These sausages and peppers will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. From the freezer, add everything to the slow cooker—cook on high for 1 1/2 hours, and then on low for 6 hours.

Two Sausage and Pepper subs on a black serving plate.

Italian Sausage and Peppers FAQs

Can you put raw sausages in a slow cooker?

Yes! Cooking the sausage raw in the crockpot with the veggies, seasonings, and sauce will produce a tasty, juicy, and tender piece of sausage that is cooked to perfection.

Can I use frozen sausages in the slow cooker?

Yes! From the freezer, add everything to the slow cooker—cook on high for 1 1/2 hours and then on low for 6 hours.

How do you make sausage and peppers less greasy?

There are a few ways to make sausage and peppers less greasy. Here are a few tips:
Use lean sausage. Many different types of sausage are available, and some are leaner than others. Choose a sausage low in fat and calories, such as turkey or chicken sausage.
Drain the sausage. After browning the sausage, drain off any excess grease. This will help to reduce the amount of fat in the final dish.
Cook the peppers in a separate pan. This will help to prevent the peppers from absorbing as much grease from the sausage.
Add a splash of water or broth to the pan. This will help to deglaze the pan and prevent the sausage from sticking.
Cook the sausage and peppers over medium heat. This will help to prevent the sausage from rendering too much fat.

How do you know when sausage is cooked in a crock pot?

To know when sausage is cooked in a crock pot, you can check it by:
Using a meat thermometer: Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the sausage. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tasting it: Sausage is cooked when it is no longer pink and has a firm texture. You can also taste a small piece to ensure it is cooked.
Cutting into it: If you cut into the sausage and it is no longer pink, and the juices run clear, it is cooked through.

Do you cook sausages on high or low?

Sausages can be cooked on low heat in a crock pot for 4-6 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. The cooking time will vary depending on the type and thickness of the sausage.

More Slow Cooker Recipes: 

More from Food Folks and Fun

Easy Sausage and Peppers
4.06 from 53 votes

Crockpot Sausage and Peppers

Recipe Cost $ 12.92
Serving Cost $ 1.62
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
8 people
Sausage and Peppers is a classic Italian-American comfort food dish; I’ve added my own spin on it by cooking it in the slow cooker!  

Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • large slow cooker

Ingredients
 
 

SAUCE:

  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ cup Marsala wine or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

SAUSAGE MIXTURE:

  • 8 Italian sausage links thawed
  • 1 large green bell pepper seeded and sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion sliced

FOR FINISHING:

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 8 fresh Italian sandwich rolls toasted

Instructions

  • Place the sauce ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to combine. 
  • Add the sausage, bell peppers, and onions; stir to combine. 
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
  • Stir in the chopped basil.
  • Serve over sandwich rolls. 

Video

Notes

  • I like to use a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausage, but you can use any variety you’d like. 
  • You can add up to 4 more sausages without having to increase the amounts of the other ingredients. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 1554mg | Potassium: 706mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 347IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 5mg

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Recipe Rating




92 Comments

  1. I’ve added chicken thighs and they were delicious-along with the sausage.

  2. Can you make this with brats?

    1. I haven’t tried this recipe with brats, but I bet you can. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!

    2. Colleen B. says:

      I have used Brats but I did lightly brown them on all sides first in cast iron skillet and used one whole pepper of t red, yellow, orange and green bell peppers; thinly sliced.

  3. It was fantastic. The sauce was rich and tasty.
    Made it for a football game.

  4. Absolutely delicious and easy! Just made this for dinner tonight. I used Merlot instead of the Marsala. The only thing I would do differently would be to triple the peppers. I will definitely be making this again. Thank you

  5. Absolutely love this. Used the chicken broth not wine and skipped the fennel because hubby doesn’t like it. The texture of the sausage was perfect and the sauce divine. The sauce thickened nicely upon removing it from heat. I used only sweet Italian sausage but the red pepper flakes added just the right amount of hot.