Hearty, rustic, and full of bold Italian flavor, this Crockpot Sausage and Peppers recipe turns everyday ingredients into a cozy, slow-simmered stew. Juicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes gently cook together for hours, creating a rich, savory sauce that’s perfect spooned over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up every last bit.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, your choice)
- 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, and green), sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and brown the Italian sausage for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Transfer the browned sausage to the crockpot. Add the sliced bell peppers, sliced onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes with their juices, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything together until the sausage and vegetables are evenly coated in the tomato and seasoning mixture.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the peppers and onions are tender and the flavors have melded.
- Once cooked, give the mixture a good stir. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired. Enjoy over rice, pasta, or with plenty of crusty bread for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
Variation
- Spicy Sausage & Peppers: Use spicy Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño for extra heat.
- Smoky Sausage & Peppers: Swap in smoked sausage or kielbasa and add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor.
- Tomato-Heavy Sauce: Stir in an extra 8 oz can of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes for a saucier, more stew-like consistency great for serving over pasta.
Cooking Notes
- Browning the sausage first adds rich flavor and better texture; skip this step only if you’re in a rush, but expect a slightly different result.
- Try not to lift the lid during cooking each peek releases steam and can lengthen the cooking time.
- If the sauce seems too thin at the end, turn the crockpot to HIGH and cook uncovered for 20–30 minutes to let some liquid evaporate.
Serving Suggestions
- Spoon over fluffy white rice, brown rice, or creamy polenta for a hearty, comforting meal.
- Pile the sausage and peppers into toasted hoagie rolls, then top with provolone or mozzarella for classic sausage-and-pepper sandwiches.
- Serve alongside a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a more balanced plate.
Tips
- Choose bell peppers in different colors for a beautiful, vibrant presentation and a nice balance of sweetness.
- Taste before adding extra salt; Italian sausage and canned tomatoes can both be fairly salty on their own.
- For easier prep, slice the peppers and onions the night before and store them in the fridge so you can quickly assemble the crockpot in the morning.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours on LOW (or 3–4 hours on HIGH)
- Total Time: 6–8 hours
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal (approx.)
- Protein: 18 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 900 mg (approx.)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use pre-cooked sausage?
Yes. Slice or dice pre-cooked sausage, brown lightly for extra flavor if desired, then add to the crockpot and cook as directed. - Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. Cook, cool, and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. - Does this freeze well?
Yes. Cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving. - How can I make it lower in fat?
Use chicken or turkey Italian sausage and drain any rendered fat after browning. You can also add extra peppers and onions to bulk up the veggies.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Sausage and Peppers is everything you want in a weeknight dinner: hearty, hands-off, and packed with comforting Italian flavor. Let your slow cooker gently meld juicy sausage, sweet peppers, and tomatoes into a rich, savory stew that’s just begging to be spooned over rice or tucked into a crusty roll. Minimal prep, maximum payoff.
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Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
- Total Time: 6–8 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Omnivore (gluten-free if served with gluten-free sides)
Description
Hearty, rustic, and full of bold Italian flavor, this Crockpot Sausage and Peppers recipe turns everyday ingredients into a cozy, slow-simmered stew. Juicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes gently cook together for hours, creating a rich, savory sauce that’s perfect spooned over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up every last bit.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, your choice)
- 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, and green), sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and brown the Italian sausage for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Transfer the browned sausage to the crockpot. Add the sliced bell peppers, sliced onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes with their juices, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything together until the sausage and vegetables are evenly coated in the tomato and seasoning mixture.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the peppers and onions are tender and the flavors have melded.
- Once cooked, give the mixture a good stir. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired. Enjoy over rice, pasta, or with plenty of crusty bread for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Use your favorite Italian sausage sweet, mild, or hot to customize the spice level.
- If your sausage is very fatty, drain off more of the rendered fat after browning to keep the dish lighter.
- For a chunkier stew, slice the sausage into coins instead of crumbling it; brown as usual before adding to the crockpot.
- Flavor and nutrition values will vary based on the brand of sausage and tomatoes you use.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours on LOW (or 3–4 hours on HIGH)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal (approx.)
- Sugar: 7 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 900 mg (approx., varies with sausage and seasoning)
- Fat: 22 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 8 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g (approx., varies with sausage)
- Carbohydrates: 13 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 3 g (approx.)
- Protein: 18 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 60 mg (approx.)
Keywords: crockpot sausage and peppers, slow cooker sausage and peppers, Italian sausage crockpot, easy weeknight dinner, sausage stew