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Grab your slow cooker and let it do all of the heavy lifting for this easy Italian sausage and peppers recipe! Sausage, peppers and onions are slow cooked with marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, for a delicious Crock Pot sausage and peppers meal that requires only a few minutes of your active time. It’s so easy to make this Italian comfort food dinner that’s both healthy and flavorful!
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted a slow cooker recipe, and it was about time to bring it back with these slow cooker sausage and peppers. Since I’m such a huge fan of Italian food — it’s fresh and comforting, yet easy to make healthy — that’s the spin I went with here. I use similar flavors in a super easy sausage sheet pan meal I have in my Easy Keto Cookbook, too.
If you like this sausage and marinara combo, you’ll also find it in sausage stuffed zucchini, crustless pizza, and Italian stuffed artichokes if you dip ’em in marinara. If you want a quicker sausage recipe, try air fryer sausages instead.
What Are Italian Sausage And Peppers?
Italian sausage and peppers combine slow cooked bell peppers, onions, Italian sausages, and marinara sauce. It all cooks together for an incredibly flavorful and delicious meal. And the slow cooker does what it does best: Makes everything super juicy and tender!
Why You’ll Love This Sausage And Peppers Recipe
- Savory, browned sausage
- Sweet, caramelized vegetables
- Just 7 common ingredients (plus salt and pepper)
- Only a few minutes of prep time
- Easy and healthy dinner
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for Italian sausage, peppers, and onions, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil – For sauteing the sausages before slow cooking. You can skip the browning if you’re really in a rush, but I promise it’s worth it if you can brown the sausages first. It only takes a couple of minutes and adds so much flavor. Any other cooking oil, such as avocado oil, is fine to use here.
- Sausages – I used mildly spicy pork Italian sausage links, but any kind of sausage will work, including sweet Italian sausage, chicken or turkey sausage, kielbasa, or bratwurst.
- Bell Peppers – Cut them into strips, like you would for fajitas. I used one each of orange, yellow, and red bell peppers, but any colors you like are great.
- Onion – This Crock Pot recipe for Italian sausage, peppers, and onions will work great with any type of onion. I used white onion in this dish, but feel free to use what you have on hand – red, white, or yellow. Slice the onion into half moons, the same width as the pepper strips.
- Garlic – Mince fresh garlic cloves for best flavor, or use jarred garlic for convenience.
- Italian Seasoning – I used my 5-minute homemade Italian seasoning, which is a combo of dried oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Store bought will work just fine, though. If you like some heat, add a dash of red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
- Marinara Sauce – I used homemade marinara, which is quick and easy to make, but store bought is fine to use. You can also substitute crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, but may need to adjust the salt or seasonings.
How To Make Sausage And Peppers In A Crock Pot
This section shows how to make sausage, peppers and onions, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Brown Italian sausages. Brown sausages on each side in a skillet with olive oil, just until browned.
FYI: The sausages don’t need to be fully cooked here.
We’re just browning them in this step to lock in flavor.
- Slice and toss veggies in the slow cooker. Toss together the bell peppers, onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
- Add marinara and sausage. Pour marinara over the veggies, then nestle the sausages on top.
- Slow cook. Cook in the slow cooker for several hours, until sausages are cooked through, and peppers and onions are soft.
TIP: Serve sausage and peppers with sauce from the slow cooker.
The liquid adds extra flavor and moisture — it’s delicious!
Can You Cook Sausage And Peppers In The Oven?
Yes, you can make baked sausage and peppers. After browning the sausage, place the ingredients in a baking dish (in the same order as the slow cooker version) and bake at 400 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, until the peppers are soft.
Storage Instructions
- Store: If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Meal prep: You can easily make this dish a day or two in advance. You could also prep the peppers and onions, so they are ready to go and then you can throw everything in the slow cooker the day-of.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave, or a covered hot skillet with a splash of water or chicken broth, until heated through. You can also reheat sausage and peppers in the Crock Pot.
Can You Freeze Sausage And Peppers?
Yes, you can freeze sausage and peppers for 2-3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating again.
What To Serve With Sausage, Peppers And Onions
Crock Pot sausage peppers and onions don’t need much, so a simple side will do the trick:
- Bread – Serve garlic bread or rolls (I use keto garlic bread or fathead rolls) on the side, or stuff inside hoagie rolls to eat sausage and peppers like a sub.
- Greens – A simple green salad makes a great side to slow cooker sausage and peppers. Just top with Caesar dressing, Italian dressing, or even Greek dressing.
- Salads – If you want a heartier salad than just greens, try cauliflower potato salad, or going with the Italian theme, avocado Caprese salad.
- Cauliflower Rice – A great base to soak up any extra sauce in the bowl. Of course, regular rice works as well if that fits your lifestyle.
- Marinara Sauce – I recommend extra marinara on the side for dipping!
More Healthy Crock Pot Recipes
If you like this sausage and peppers Crock Pot recipe, you might like some of my other healthy Crock Pot recipes:
Tools To Make Crock Pot Sausage And Peppers
- Skillet – You’ll use this nonstick skillet for everything from omelets to Crock Pot sausage and peppers.
- Slow Cooker – Love the digital timer on this version. It lets me control the time more than the older ones that just have default times for High or Low.
The Best Sausage And Peppers Recipe
Sausage And Peppers Recipe (Crock Pot)
This easy Crock Pot sausage and peppers recipe is combines sausage, peppers, and onions in flavorful tomato sauce. Just 7 simple ingredients!
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the sausage links. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, just until browned on the outside. (They will not be cooked inside.)
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Meanwhile, combine the bell peppers, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker. Toss to coat. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the vegetables.
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When the sausage links are browned, place them into the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.
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Cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High, until the sausages are cooked through.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Readers Who Liked This Easy Recipe Also Made:
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 sausage link + 3/4 cup vegetables
Nutrition info is calculated using no-sugar-added sausages.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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54 Comments
Marsha N
0If you are using fully cooked sausages, do the sausages require the same amount of cooking time in the crock pot as uncooked sausages? I realize the peppers & onions require the time stated for cooking. Thanks.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Marsha, No, you wouldn’t have to cook as long if your sausage is already fully cooked.
Pamela
0How many does it serve?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Pamela, This recipe serves 6.
Cathy
0Can you cut up the sausage after browning them so they aren’t whole in the crockpot?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Cathy, You can, but I’m guessing the cook time might be different. I haven’t tried that to confirm. We just cut the sausages after cooking.
Maria
0This Italian sausage and peppers recipe is one of the best. The finished dish reminded me of the sausage and peppers my mother made for us. 2 thumbs up!
Norman Alston
0Thank you so much for providing these recipes, I was looking for a recipe to prepare eggplant lasagna and found your site. It was requested of me by a good friend who has MS. I will test my ability to prepare the dish. I also love all the other suggested recipes and will try all of them.
GRETA
0I never made Sausage in the crockpot but it came out so delicious! I’ll make it again! It’s sooo easy!
Kris
0So moist and flavorful! Will make it again. Thank you!!
Jenn
0This is so easy and so good I could eat it every night of the week! Yum!
Jere Cassidy
0Made this for Sunday supper and the whole family loved it. I loved it since it’s so easy to make. Keeping this recipe to remake again.
Sherrie
0Love, love, love sausage and peppers! So glad to find a crockpot recipe for those days when I just want to set it and forget it!
Georgia Carter
0Hi, red sauce gives me heartburn can I use white sauce?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Georgia, I have never tried that but if you do let me know the results.
Joe
0I made this, my family loved it. I think I’m going to try and turn the leftovers into sauce for spaghetti.
Karen Nedwick-Castro
0If I double the recipe do I need to add more time?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Karen, Yes, you would probably have to add a little more cooking time if you double the recipe.
Kay
07 ingredients??? I counted 9….
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Kay, I don’t include salt and pepper in my ingredient count.
ramona
0This recipe looks amazing and I am super excited to make this out for me and my family! Thank you for sharing this recipe, It looks so delicious and I can’t wait to try it out!
LaKita
0This recipe is so simple and delicious! Made it for my family over the weekend and there were no leftovers, definitely will be making again.
Marta
0This slow cooker sausage and peppers reminded me so much of the dish my best friend’s Polish mother used to make for us. I will definitely be adding this to my monthly meal plan rotation.
Amanda Mason
0I loved this recipe! I used turkey sausage and it was great! The flavors were perfect. I’ll be making this again for sure.
Dani
0This may be my favorite recipe of yours so far! Love that you can make Sausage and Peppers in a crockpot! SO GOOD!
Mikayla
0Love the pepper forward flavor and that you get to put it together and leave it to cook, pretty hands off and an easy meal to make for that busy weekend.
Leslie
0I was so excited when I saw this was a slow cooker recipe!! I was intrigued by the recipe, then just thrilled to see it was made in the slow cooker!
Veena
0This side dish is perfect for any meal. Was easy to make!
Kate
0This recipe is great – it’s super easy to throw together and tastes delicious in a hoagie roll with some melted mozzarella! I also like that you gave the oven instructions because sometimes I don’t plan ahead enough for the crock pot 🙂
Katerina
0This is such an incredible dish! The flavors are amazing!!
Kara
0I used red and yellow peppers and my homemade sugar free marinara sauce. One of my new favorite low carb recipes!
Toni
0I love how simple this is but tastes really amazing!!
Stephanie
0Hi! Do you have a recommendation if you aren’t a fan of Italian sausage because of the fennel? We usually eat kielbasa, andouille or Brats…
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Stephanie, Any of those can replace the Italian sausage in this recipe.
Teresa
0Can you use chicken sausage?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Teresa, Yes you could use chicken sausage.
Sharon
0Hi can you tell me if you can make this on the stove or in a instapot? I’m learning to cook do I need direction if so on how long please and thank you!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sharon, I have only made this in the crockpot but you could definitely do it on the stove and cook until the sausage reached the correct internal temperature.
Keith Osterhoudt
0Seems like a lot of carbs to be considered keto.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Keith, It really depends on how you do keto. If you do 2 meals a day, then this recipe fits nicely into a keto lifestyle.
Sandra Remson
0Started with your idea but I used the pressure cooker for 5 minutes. instead of marinara I used a can of tomatoes and peppers . Added 1/2 head of sliced cabbage. It was great with the with the keto garlic bread!
Jacqueline
0If I want to double the recipe, do I also double the amount of marinara?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Jacqueline, Yes, double the full recipe including marinara. Enjoy!
Aubrey
0Can I use frozen sausage? Thanks!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Aubrey, Yes!
Robert
0Great recipe. I make sausage and peppers all the time, it s one of my favorite meals. But I have never done it in a slow cooker before. So easy to prepare it this way and it tastes fabulous
Jordan
0Optional: For firmer peppers and onions, you can wait to add them in until the final hour or two of cooking, on top….. I find that using the peppers & onions as a bottom base/cushion, directly against the hot crock pot, disintegrated them. (Especially over 4-5 hours). Perhaps it’s just my pot. However ther veg cook rapidly. An easy and tasty recipe, with or without roll. Thanks. Trying to rate 5 stars..won’t allow me..they keep disappearing..
Annemarie
0Can you use frozen peppers and onions, or would it add too much water? Or thaw them first, Thanks. This is my first recipe. Can’t wait to try it!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Annemarie, Yes frozen will work, but I would thaw them first. Enjoy!
Vannetta Battle
0As usual your recipes don’t disappoint. I did add extra broth because I was afraid of the dreaded Instant Pot burn message. Mistake because the peppers be onions release liquid as well. It still came out good and it actually got better over night because the flavors marinated more. My husband who’s from Chicago and grew up eating Italian sausage said it was a winner and to add it to the rotation .
Rooster
0Did you use sweet or hot Italian sausages?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Rooster, I used a mild Italian sausage, but feel free to use whatever suits your tastes here. Any of these options would go with the tomato and pepper flavors!
Taryn
0This is one of our favorite crock pot recipes.
Nellie Tracy
0This is a great recipe for a weeknight dinner. Love it!