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Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers with Onion is an easy dinner recipe that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and works for any occasion. The combination of juicy Italian sausages with sweet bell peppers, onions and tomatoes creates a savory, mouthwatering main dish that can be served alone, as a low carb dinner, or over pasta or potatoes.
Crockpot Sausages and Peppers
Whether you’re craving a hearty weeknight dinner or need a crowd-pleasing dish for a gathering, this recipe is perfect. It’s really versatile, you can serve it over pasta or rice, or pile it into a hoagie roll for an awesome sandwich.
Using your slow cooker, it will simmer away while you get other things done. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
This simple, flavorful, Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is sure to become one of “the usuals” in your dinner rotation!
Can this Recipe be Made Without a Slow Cooker?
- Yes it can. The stovetop is a great way to make it.
- Make this recipe on the stovetop: Brown the sausages first, then simmer the browned sausages with the vegetables, tomatoes, and seasonings in a large pot over low heat for about 1-2 hours until the sausages are cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- For firmer vegetables, add them in about the last 30 minutes of cook time.
What is In Sausage & Peppers Recipe?
This recipe only has a few ingredients. Nothing fancy, but they come together for great flavor and texture.
Italian Sausage Links (sweet or hot), Bell Peppers (any color), Yellow Onion, Garlic, Crushed Tomatoes, Chicken Broth.
And for seasoning it has: Italian Seasoning, Dried Basil, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt & Black Pepper.
What Substitutions Can Be Made?
- Italian Sausage: Substitute with turkey sausage or chicken sausage.
- Bell Peppers: You can use any combination of red, yellow, green, or orange bell peppers. I used red and green for visual appeal.
- Onion: Substitute the yellow onion with red, white, or sweet onion.
- Garlic: Instead of fresh minced garlic, use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Crushed Tomatoes: You can use a can of diced tomatoes or tomato sauce as a substitute for the crushed tomatoes.
- Chicken Broth: Use vegetable broth, beef broth, or water.
How to Cook Sausage & Peppers in the Crockpot
1. Brown the sausages in a skillet. This is for the best flavor. If you are short on time, you can put them in raw.
2. Add the bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the crock.
3. Add the browned sausages on top of the bell peppers.
4. Add the broth, tomatoes, and seasonings over the sausages.
5. Cover with the lid and cook as directed in te recipe card below.
6. Serve with your favorite starch or more veggies.
What to Serve with Sausage and Peppers?
- Potatoes: Serve over mashed potatoes.
- Pasta: Serve over cooked pasta such as spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni.
- Rice: Serve over a bed of white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
- Bread: Serve in a hoagie roll for sandwiches or pair with crusty bread, garlic bread, or dinner rolls.
- Salad: A fresh green salad or a crisp Caesar salad makes a great side dish and helps balance the meal with additional vegetables.
Can I Prepare Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Ahead of Time?
Yes, just brown the sausages, slice the vegetables ahead of time, and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, add everything to the slow cooker and proceed with the recipe as directed.
Can I Use Pre-cooked Sausages?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked sausage. Brown the sausages briefly in a skillet to enhance their flavor before adding them to the slow cooker.
Cook until the bell peppers are as soft as you like them.
Can I Make this Recipe Spicy?
Yes, you can. To make the recipe spicier, you can use hot Italian sausages, increase the amount of red pepper flakes, or add some sliced jalapeños or hot sauce.
What Other Vegetables Can Be Added?
You can add mushrooms, sliced carrots, zucchini, baby spinach, and eggplant are great options. If using fresh baby spinach, add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
How to Tell When the Sausages are Done?
The sausages are done when they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F. They should be firm to the touch and no longer pink inside.
Can Fresh Tomatoes be used Instead of Canned Tomatoes?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes. Dice them finely or crush them before adding them to the slow cooker.
Should I Brown the Sausages Before Adding to the Slow Cooker?
• Browning the sausages helps to improve their flavor and texture. There is a lot of flavor on the outside after browning (much like how grilling adds great flavor).
• If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and add the sausages directly to the slow cooker.
How to Store Leftover Bell Peppers and Sausage
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Allow to cool completely, and store in an airtight container or freezer baggie for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers
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Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Orange Vinaigrette
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Finish With a Yummy Dessert
Top off your Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers dinner with something sweet!
Easy Apple Galette
Incredible Banana Cake
Peach Upside Down Cake
Instant Pot Baked Apples
If you make this easy crockpot dinner recipe, please leave a comment with a star rating below. Thank you!
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
Equipment
- 6 quart Slow Cooker
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 19 ounce package Italian Sausage Links (sweet or hot, 5-count)
- 2 large Bell Peppers, sliced (any color)
- 1 large Yellow Onion, sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 14.5 ounce can Crushed Tomatoes
- ½ cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, optional
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
To Serve - Choose Your Favorite
- Hoagie Buns
- Cooked Rice
- Mashed Potatoes
- Cooked Pasta
Instructions
- Brown the sausage links on all sides in a large skillet over medium heat. This helps to enhance their flavor and texture. Transfer the browned sausages to the slow cooker.
- Add the bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the bottom of a 5-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Arrange the browned sausages over the top of the vegetables.
- Pour the can of crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth over the sausages and vegetables.
- Add the Italian seasoning, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), kosher salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 5-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until the sausages are cooked through and the peppers are tender.
- Optional Step: Once cooking is complete, remove the sausages from the slow cooker and slice them into bite-sized pieces. Return the sliced sausages to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the peppers and sauce.
- Serve on a hoagie roll or with rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Can this Recipe be Made Without a Slow Cooker?
- Yes it can. The stovetop is a great way to make it.
- Make this recipe on the stovetop: Brown the sausages first, then simmer the browned sausages with the vegetables, tomatoes, and seasonings in a large pot over low heat for about 1-2 hours until the sausages are cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- For firmer vegetables, add them in about the last 30 minutes of cook time.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We loved this recipe! I served it over rice, but want to try buns next time. Delicious!
Tasty and very easy.