Easy 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sausage Marinara
If you’re craving a no-stress Italian dinner, this slow cooker sausage marinara delivers huge flavor with almost zero prep. Made with just 4 simple ingredients, this crockpot sausage recipe simmers low and slow until the sausages are fork-tender and the marinara sauce is rich, savory, and irresistible.
It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it weeknight meal perfect for busy families, meal prep, or feeding a crowd without hovering over the stove. Toss everything in the crockpot in the morning, and come home to a deli-style Italian sausage filling that’s incredible on hoagie rolls, pasta, polenta, or even low-carb options like spaghetti squash.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Sausage Marinara:
Only 4 ingredients budget-friendly and pantry-simple
Hands-off crockpot recipe perfect for busy schedules
Big Italian flavor without complicated steps
Versatile meal great for subs, pasta, or freezer meals
Family-friendly comfort food everyone loves
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
2 pounds Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot; links or bulk)
2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce (about 6 cups total)
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
3–4 cloves garlic, sliced or minced
Instructions:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the sausage on all sides, about 5–8 minutes. This step adds extra depth of flavor but isn’t required if you’re short on time. Transfer sausage to the slow cooker, leaving excess grease behind if desired.
Layer the sliced onion and garlic over the sausage in the crockpot. No sautéing needed the slow cooker will soften and sweeten them naturally.
Cover everything with the marinara sauce. If the sauce is very thick, add a few tablespoons of water to loosen it slightly.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the sausage is fully cooked and incredibly tender.
If using sausage links, slice them into rounds and return to the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if needed.
Serve hot over pasta, spooned onto toasted hoagie rolls for Italian sausage subs, or over polenta or spaghetti squash.
Serving Ideas & Variations:
Pair with rigatoni, penne, or bucatini for a hearty pasta dinner
Use as a filling for Italian sausage sandwiches
Serve with roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad
Freezer-friendly freezes well for up to 3 months
Swap in hot Italian sausage for extra spice
Use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option
