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.
Table of Contents
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
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:
- Boston Baked Beans
- Food Truck Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Skillet Green Beans
- Panera’s Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Homemade Coleslaw
- Crispy Baked Oven Fries
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.
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.
Italian Sausage and Peppers FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Crockpot Little Smokies
- Easy Crockpot Chili
- Crockpot Spare Ribs
- Refried Beans
- Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
- Sweet Chipotle Pork Tacos
- Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Chicken Gyro Bowls
- Beef Stew
- Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
- Kielbasa Kapusta
- Ham Chowder
- Pot Roast
- Baked Ziti
More from Food Folks and Fun
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
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
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This recipe for sausage and peppers will suit my daughters family lifestyle well. I am curious…..how many will it serve?
Thank you and keep up the good common sense work.
I would say this recipe would easily serve 8 (1 sausage link per person). If her family has little kids, it would serve more. I hope this helps!
Hey! I’d like to make this tonight. Would I be able to use regular style bratwursts?
Sure, give it a try! Let me know how it turned out!
The sausage and peppers were delicious. Didn’t change a thing.
Kris, I’m SO glad you loved the recipe! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Is the sausage pre cooked before placing it in the slow cooker ?
Hi Silvia, the sausage is not precooked before you put it in the slow cooker.
I have used this recipe just not in the slow cooker. Thanks
Glad you liked it!
Jillian,
Has this recipe been tried with turkey sausages? How would you adjust the cooking time, if at all?
You can definitely use turkey sausage, and no need to alter the cooking time. Let me know how it turns out for you!
Do you think this would be ok left on low longer than 6 hours? I’m trying to decide if I can make this during the week (I’m out of the house about 10 hours) or if its a weekend meal. I can set my crock pot to a certain length of time then it goes to warm.
I think it will be fine. And I would definitely set it to warm if you can. Also, with the extra cooking time you might want to add a little bit of water so the sauce doesn’t reduce too much.
Do the sausages need to be frozen or not? Thank you
Hi Michelle, the sausages should be thawed.
Sounds so yummy! Can I add more bell pepper and/or onion? 1 of each sounds skimpy for 8 servings of adults! (we love bell peppers and onions!) not trying to change your dish, sounds perfect as is. Just wondering if I could cheat a little?
You absolutely can add more bell pepper and onion! Let me know hoe it turns out for you!
Could this be cooked for a shorter time on high? I’m getting a late start!.
You bet, 3 hours on high should work. Just make sure you stir them every hour so the tomato sauce doesn’t burn around the slow cooker’s edges.
I’ve already tried this once and loved it. I’m going to a picnic and I’m wondering can you double this recipe for a larger crowd? And how would that affect the cooking time?
Hi, Anna! When doubling this recipe you don’t need to increase the cooking time. Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold a double batch!
Hi Jillian! Can I cut the sausage up before putting it in the slow cooker?
I have never tried it, but I bet you could. The slices might look a little misshapen once they’re cooked through.
I only have tomatoe sauce? Is this ok?
Chris, that should still work. Enjoy!
Hi Jillian,
Thanks very much for this recipe. It was yummy in my tummy. I’m going to make this regularly from now on.
I halved the recipe because it’s just us two. The two left in the picture are for my girl. They will be gone in 1 – 2 hours or so.
I couldn’t get the Italian sandwich rolls here in The Netherlands. So I baked Ciabatta.
My result is here : https://imgur.com/gallery/FFeLa
Yum, Ciabatta with this recipe would be amazing! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your recipe results! 🙂
Do you include all the I ingredients in the bowl to put in the fridge overnigjt…or just the sausage, peppers and onions?
Hi Don, you can throw everything into the slow cooker insert, and then cover and place in the fridge overnight. Just give everything a good stir before slow cooking. I hope this helps!
Do you take the casing off the sausage?
Nope, leave the casing on.
I have links that are wrapped as in a spiral of link not sandwich size. Should I cut the whole thing into sandwich size links or leave it whole until after cooking. I’m worried cutting the casing will change this somehow?
Wait to cut the links until after it cooks. I hope this helps!
I have sausage links, and wanted to know if I should cut them or leave them whole?
I’d cut them apart before placing them in the slow cooker. But honestly, either way will do.
Can you make this on the stovetop?
Yes, it will just need some babysitting and stirring.
Hi, I was thinking about cooking the sausage separately and just doing the vegetables and sauce in the crockpot, so my non-meat eaters can enjoy it too. Do you think that will work out ok? Should I add something to the crock pot to account for not having the sausage in there? thanks!
I think that it will work just fine! If you want, you can double up on the veggies in this recipe.
Doesn’t say in instructions but was wondering; Do You remove the skin from the sausages before cooking?
Hi Colleen, you keep the skin/casing on the sausage. I think you can kind of see that in the pictures.
Best,
Jillian