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.
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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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!
This is now my go-to sausage and peppers recipe, thank you! Do the nutrition facts include the sandwich roll?
Hi Staci, I just undated the recipe card to include the sandwich roll.
Thank you!
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.
Looks so delicious and comforting! Perfect for cold winter days!
Can you add cut up uncooked chicken breast to this?
Thank you GG
Yes, that will work, too.
Oh my god, your photos are making my mouth-water, especially the idea to serve this on fresh bread rolls – to die for!
OH my!!! So much flavor I need to get my hands on these!
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!
This slow cooker recipe is one of my all time FAVES!
Hi, do you need to cook the sausages first before or just at them thawed?
Just add them thawed. 🙂
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!
Thank you, and eating it like a sub is life-changing! 🙂
Do the sausages turn out really soft?
No, they turn out like they should.
I know this is a fast recipe, but would the sausage be any different if I grilled them first? I am thinking that would eliminate some of the grease.
You can grill the sausages before putting them into the crockpot.
We love this recipe, the prep time is short and the full and robust taste makes it a hit every time I make it.
Mike, it’s one of my favorite dinners to make for exactly the same reasons as you stated. So glad you enjoy this recipe. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Is this a keto friendly recipe???
I am not an expert on the Keto diet. With that said, I do not believe this is Keto-friendly because it has too many carbs.
Do you think I could do this on high for half the time??
Yes, that will work. Enjoy!
Hi I was wondering if you can cut up the sausage instead of adding them in whole?
Yes, you can absolutely do that.
Thank you for this, it is my favorite recipe for sausage sandwiches! So easy and delicious. We always use any leftover sauce for pasta the next day, 2 yummy meals with minimal effort!
Mel, we do the same at my house! So glad you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for stopping by to let me know! 🙂
I have this in the crockpot right now. However, I used just regular brats…think this will turn out ok?
Hi Sara, The brats will definitely cook in time, I just have never tried brats in this recipe so I’m not sure how they will taste. Come back and let me know how they taste!
CAn you triple this recipe? Or would you have to increase cooking times. Looking to make for a crowd.
You can triple the recipe. No need to increase the cooking time. Enjoy!
They taste amazing that way! I’m not a fan of sausage so I went with the brats and I a love it!
This has been a staple recipe in my family since I can remember. I always loved when my mom would make this for dinner. Of course she would use the pressure cooker for quick cook options.
We brown the sausage first to 1, give it some color, and 2, for a little more flava. Lol.
Continuing the tradition with my kids, and this is also one of my go to’s for pot luck. Always a hit with that
Thank you, now I’m hungry lol
Love this recipe! Have made it several times and will be making it again tonight! So easy, so delicious and a real crowd pleaser!
I enjoyed this recipe, easy to prepare and tasty.
However I would make adjustments cooking this again. I reduced the salt and pepper to 1/2 teaspoon and it was too much. Next time I would completely omit both. The salt was overpowering the rest of the ingredients. I used raw green onion sausage and it was delicious. It cooked through in less than 6 hours and the gravy was good. I served it over rice, and with a toasted hoagie bun as a sandwich. Super easy!
The best and easiest recipe ever. I especially like the instructions on making ahead, freezing, and the changes in cooking time based on whether items are refrigerated or frozen.
So glad you enjoy it! I make it often! 🙂
Miss Jillian,
You said this was the third Crock-Pot you tried and the last one you will ever buy. Could you please tell me what kind it is and maybe post a picture of it.
Thank you,
Mary F. Connors
Hi Mary, in the post I link to the one I have in the Cook’s Tools section. I hope this helps!