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- What Are Italian Sausage And Peppers?
- Why You’ll Love This Sausage And Peppers Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How To Make Sausage And Peppers In A Crock Pot
- Can You Cook Sausage And Peppers In The Oven?
- Storage Instructions
- What To Serve With Sausage And Peppers
- More Healthy Crock Pot Recipes
- Tools To Make Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers
- Crock Pot Italian Sausage And Peppers Recipe
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.
What Are Italian Sausage And Peppers?
This Italian sausage and peppers recipe combines 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 You’ll Need
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 slow cooker peppers and sausage, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, 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 Italian sausage and peppers for 2-3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating again.
What To Serve With Sausage And Peppers
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 Slow Cooker 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
Reader Favorite Recipes
The recipe card is below! Readers that made this also viewed these recipes:
Crock Pot Italian Sausage And Peppers Recipe
This slow cooker Italian sausage and peppers recipe is the perfect combo of sausage, peppers, and onions in a 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.
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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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25 Comments
Katerina
This is such an incredible dish! The flavors are amazing!!
Kara
I used red and yellow peppers and my homemade sugar free marinara sauce. One of my new favorite low carb recipes!
Toni
I love how simple this is but tastes really amazing!!
Stephanie
Hi! 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
Hi Stephanie, Any of those can replace the Italian sausage in this recipe.
Teresa
Can you use chicken sausage?
Wholesome Yum D
Hi Teresa, Yes you could use chicken sausage.
Sharon
Hi 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
Hi 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
Seems like a lot of carbs to be considered keto.
Wholesome Yum M
Hi 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
Started 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
If I want to double the recipe, do I also double the amount of marinara?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Jacqueline, Yes, double the full recipe including marinara. Enjoy!
Aubrey
Can I use frozen sausage? Thanks!
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Aubrey, Yes!
Robert
Great 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
Optional: 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
Can 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
Hi Annemarie, Yes frozen will work, but I would thaw them first. Enjoy!
Vannetta Battle
As 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
Did you use sweet or hot Italian sausages?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi 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
This is one of our favorite crock pot recipes.
Nellie Tracy
This is a great recipe for a weeknight dinner. Love it!