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! In this post, you’ll also find make ahead and freezer meal directions!
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This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is in one word: effortless! You literally 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 your own sauce to go along with it that is incredibly easy to make!
This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is fabulous for weeknight dinners, and it’s a favorite for serving for game day, tailgating, and even potlucks!
Cook’s Note – Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers:
- You can use a mix of hot, sweet or mild Italian sausage in this recipe, just use what you love! I personally 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 delicious served over pasta or on their own!
- MAKE AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker insert and place in fridge overnight. When you’re ready to cook the sausage and peppers, place the insert on the slow cooker base, and cook on high for 30 minutes, and then on low for 6 hours.
- FREEZER MEAL DIRECTIONS: 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 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.
- If you love sausage and peppers, then you need to try my Sausage and Peppers Pasta recipe!
Cook’s Tools – Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers:
- 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!)
ONE YEAR AGO: Pumpkin Cupcakes
TWO YEARS AGO: Pumpkin Blossom Cake
THEE YEARS AGO: Spicy Pumpkin Chili
Sausage and Peppers made in a Slow Cooker!
Ingredients
SAUCE:
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup Marsala wine or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 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:
- 1/4 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 and serve over sandwich rolls.
Video
Nutrition
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes:
This post first appeared on FFF on October 28, 2016. I’ve since updated the pictures, but here are some of the originals.
joshua says
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?
Jillian says
Wait to cut the links until after it cooks. I hope this helps!
Raygene says
I have sausage links, and wanted to know if I should cut them or leave them whole?
Jillian says
I’d cut them apart before placing them in the slow cooker. But honestly, either way will do.
Daisy says
Can you make this on the stovetop?
Jillian says
Yes, it will just need some babysitting and stirring.
Dave says
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!
Jillian says
I think that it will work just fine! If you want, you can double up on the veggies in this recipe.
ColleenB.~ Tx. says
Doesn’t say in instructions but was wondering; Do You remove the skin from the sausages before cooking?
Jillian says
Hi Colleen, you keep the skin/casing on the sausage. I think you can kind of see that in the pictures.
Best,
Jillian
Adriana Lopez Martin says
What a nice option for a weekly dinner and not to mention for game day night, perfect to feed a crowd! I am planning my menu for the Super Bowl and I bet this dish will be loved by everyone. Thanks for the idea!
Marie says
What a fantastic dump and cook recipe! This would be a big hit at parties. Thank you for providing make ahead and freezer meal directions too.
Natalie says
Looks so delicious and comforting! Perfect for cold winter days!
Laura | Wandercooks says
Oh my god, your photos are making my mouth-water, especially the idea to serve this on fresh bread rolls – to die for!
Tisha says
OH my!!! So much flavor I need to get my hands on these!
Brian Jones says
I make my own sausages all of the time and always have a stock in the freezer, this is the perfect lazy day dinner for me!
Dayna says
This slow cooker recipe is one of my all time FAVES!
mimi rippee says
This looks fabulous, and I love sausage anything! But I hadn’t thought about using it like a sandwich. Almost like a meatball sub, but a sausage. With peppers in a lovely tomato sauce! Fabulous!
Jillian says
Thank you, and eating it like a sub is life-changing! 🙂