This Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe is one of my go-to comfort meals. It’s so simple to make, packed with vibrant flavors from the green bell peppers, marinara sauce, and Italian sausage, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you’re serving it in hoagie rolls, over cauliflower rice, or just on its own, this is a delicious, easy recipe that everyone loves!
This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s such a lifesaver on busy days. Tossing everything into the slow cooker and letting it work its magic means I can spend less time in the kitchen and still serve a meal that feels like I put so much effort into it. Plus, the combination of marinara sauce, green bell peppers, and Italian sausage is always a hit with my family!
Looking for more crockpot recipes? Try my Sausage and Shrimp Paella, Roasted Bell Pepper Pasta, Brown Rice Jambalaya, and Chicken& Dumplings.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of marinara sauce, Italian sausage, and colorful bell peppers creates a hearty, rich dish that’s loaded with comforting, classic Italian flavors.
- Perfect for Busy Days: With just a few minutes of prep time, this easy slow cooker recipe lets you set it and forget it, making dinner effortless on hectic weeknights.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Serve this Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers in hoagie rolls, over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or as a simple main dish—there’s a delicious way to enjoy it for everyone!
🥘 Ingredients
- Italian Sausage Links: About 8-10 sausages, these bring hearty, savory flavor to the dish. You can use spicy Italian sausage for a kick or sweet Italian sausage for a milder option.
- Green Bell Peppers: Thinly sliced, these add vibrant color, natural sweetness, and a delicious crunch to the recipe.
- Red Bell Peppers: Alongside the green peppers, these contribute a slightly sweeter and more robust flavor to the dish.
- Yellow Bell Peppers: With their mild and slightly fruity flavor, they complete the trio of colorful bell peppers for a visually appealing and flavorful base.
- Yellow Onion: Thinly sliced, this adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the dish as it cooks down in the marinara sauce.
- Garlic: Finely minced, this key ingredient infuses the dish with bold, savory undertones that pair perfectly with the Italian seasoning.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the sausage, peppers, and sauce. Adjust to taste.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that gives this crockpot sausage recipe its classic Italian flavor profile.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): Adds a touch of heat for those who love a spicy Italian sausage and peppers dish.
- Marinara Sauce: The base of this easy recipe, marinara sauce brings rich, tangy tomato flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
- Fresh Parsley: Roughly chopped, this garnish adds a pop of color and freshness to the finished dish.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients: On a cutting board, thinly slice the green bell peppers, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, and onion. Finely mince the garlic to ensure even distribution of flavor throughout the dish.
Assemble in the Crockpot: Place the Italian sausage links at the bottom of a large slow cooker. Layer the sliced green bell peppers, red bell peppers, yellow onion, and garlic over the sausages.
Season the Dish: Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, a little bit of salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to enhance the flavors of the sausage and peppers.
Add the Sauce: Pour 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the sausage and vegetables, ensuring everything is coated with this flavorful base.
Begin Slow Cooking: Cover the crockpot and cook on High heat for 3-4 hours or Low heat for 6-8 hours, allowing the simple ingredients to meld together beautifully.
Slice the Sausage: Once the cooking time is complete, remove the sausages and slice them into thick pieces. This step helps distribute the sausage throughout the dish.
Mix and Garnish: Return the sliced sausage to the crockpot, stir everything together, and allow it to soak up the extra sauce for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers hot with hoagie rolls for a hearty sandwich, over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or as is for a simple yet delicious meal!
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- Use Quality Marinara Sauce: For the best flavor, choose a homemade marinara or a high-quality jarred option from the grocery store. A good marinara sauce is key to enhancing the rich, hearty flavors of the Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers.
- Customize the Heat Level: If you love a little spice, don’t skip the red pepper flakes. For a spicier dish, you can even use hot sausage or spicy Italian sausage links for an extra kick.
- Serve in Versatile Ways: This crockpot sausage recipe is perfect for meal prep. Serve it in hoagie rolls for a hearty sandwich, over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or alongside your favorite pasta for a complete and delicious meal.
💭 Recipe FAQs
You can absolutely use raw Italian sausage links in this crockpot recipe! The slow cooking process ensures that the sausages cook thoroughly and reach a safe internal temperature. Just make sure to layer them in a single layer at the bottom of the crockpot to ensure even cooking. If you prefer a golden brown exterior, you can sear the sausages in a large skillet with a little olive oil before adding them to the crockpot. This adds an extra layer of flavor!
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Transfer any leftovers of Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.
Freezer: For longer storage, place the sausage and peppers in a freezer bag or an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in a large skillet or slow cooker with a little extra marinara sauce to keep it moist.
Meal prep tip: Portion the leftovers into single servings for an easy grab-and-go lunch or dinner option. This crockpot sausage recipe freezes and reheats beautifully!
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers
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Equipment
- Large slow cooker
- Cutting board and knife (for slicing peppers and onions)
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula (for mixing)
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Italian sausage links about 8-10 sausages
- 1 green pepper thinly sliced
- 1 red pepper thinly sliced
- 1 yellow pepper thinly sliced
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice the green, red, and yellow peppers, onion, and mince the garlic on a cutting board.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Add the Italian sausage links, sliced peppers, onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, red chili flakes (if using), and marinara sauce into a large slow cooker. Mix everything until well combined using a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on High heat for 3-4 hours or Low heat for 6-8 hours.
- Slice Sausages: Once cooked, carefully remove the sausages and cut them into thick slices. Return the sliced sausages to the slow cooker and stir to mix them with the sauce and peppers.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with roughly chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides or hoagie rolls for a delicious meal!
🌡️ Food safety
- Pork - Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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