Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Made with Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, sweet onion, and rich marinara sauce, this simple crockpot meal delivers delicious flavor with very little prep work. Just add the ingredients to your slow cooker, let everything simmer until tender, and enjoy a hearty meal that practically cooks itself.

Serve these slow cooker sausage and peppers in toasted hoagie rolls, over creamy mashed potatoes, with pasta, or alongside crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato sauce. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner that makes entertaining less stressful.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Italian sausage links (beef or halal-certified sausage)
• 3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce, checking that it contains no alcohol

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: Arrange the sliced bell peppers and onion in an even layer at the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Add the sausage: Place the sausage links on top of the vegetables in a single layer.
3. Pour in the sauce: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the sausage, peppers, and onions.
4. Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the sausage reaches a safe internal temperature and the vegetables are tender. For beef or poultry sausage, follow the package’s safe cooking guidance.
5. Serve and enjoy: Serve the sausage links whole or slice them into smaller pieces. Spoon the tender peppers, onions, and tomato sauce over the top.

Benefits of This Easy Crockpot Recipe

• Only four ingredients: A simple shopping list makes meal planning easier.
• Minimal preparation: Just slice the vegetables, layer the ingredients, and let the slow cooker do the work.
• Perfect for busy weeknights: Spend less time standing over the stove while dinner cooks.
• Great for feeding a crowd: This recipe serves approximately 6–8 people, making it ideal for game days, potlucks, and family gatherings.
• Versatile serving options: Enjoy it in sandwich rolls, over pasta, with mashed potatoes, or alongside roasted vegetables.
• Customizable and budget-friendly: Use seasonal bell peppers and your favorite suitable sausage to adapt the recipe to your budget and preferences.

Helpful Cooking Tips

Brown the sausage first: For a deeper, richer flavor, brown the sausage links in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This step is optional.

Choose colorful peppers: A combination of red, yellow, and green bell peppers adds color, sweetness, and texture.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Slice the peppers and onions the night before and refrigerate them in a covered container.

Make easy party sandwiches: Serve the sausage and peppers in toasted hoagie rolls. Add shredded mozzarella or provolone for an extra-cheesy finish.

Keep it warm for gatherings: Once the sausage is fully cooked, use the slow cooker’s WARM setting to help maintain serving temperature. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.