Crockpot Sausage & Peppers Recipe
Introduction
Crockpot Sausage & Peppers is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. With tender sausages, sweet bell peppers, and savory marinara sauce, it comes together effortlessly in your slow cooker. This recipe serves a crowd and fills your home with irresistible aromas.
Ingredients
- 2 (19 oz) packages Italian sausage links
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (to sear links)
- 6 bell peppers (mix of colors, sliced into strips)
- 2 onions (sliced into strips)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the sausage links and sear for about 2–3 minutes on each side until browned and slightly crispy to build flavor.
- Step 2: While sausages brown, add bell peppers, onions, garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 3: Place the seared sausage links on top of the pepper mixture in the crockpot.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours until sausages are cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Step 5: Before serving, stir the sausages and peppers together so the sausages are coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Step 6: Serve warm and enjoy a delicious, hearty meal.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try adding a splash of red wine or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce before cooking.
- Use sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preferred heat level.
- Serve with crusty bread or over pasta or rice for a complete meal.
- You can substitute jarred marinara with your favorite homemade tomato sauce.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I skip searing the sausages?
Searing is optional but recommended. It adds a deeper flavor and a nice texture to the sausages, making the dish more flavorful overall.
What is the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Adding a splash of water or sauce can help maintain moisture.
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Crockpot Sausage & Peppers Recipe
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
This Crockpot Sausage & Peppers recipe is a simple, hearty slow cooker meal perfect for busy days. Italian sausages are seared for added flavor and then slow-cooked with a colorful mix of bell peppers, onions, garlic, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning, resulting in a tender, saucy dish that’s ideal for serving over pasta, rice, or in sandwiches.
Ingredients
Sausage
- 2 (19 oz) packages Italian sausage links
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (to sear links)
Vegetables & Sauce
- 6 bell peppers (mix of colors, sliced into strips)
- 2 onions (sliced into strips)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Sear the Sausages: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Place the Italian sausage links in the skillet and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a browned, slightly crispy exterior. This step enhances the flavor of the sausages before slow cooking.
- Prepare the Crockpot Mixture: While the sausages are searing, add the sliced bell peppers, onions, minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Arrange Sausages on Vegetables: Place the browned sausage links on top of the pepper and onion mixture in the crockpot. This layering helps cook the sausages evenly while infusing the vegetables with their flavor.
- Slow Cook the Dish: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low heat for 5 hours, or on high heat for 3 hours. The sausages should be cooked through, and the peppers and onions will become tender and soaked in the sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Once cooking is complete, give the crockpot contents a gentle stir to coat the sausages in the flavorful sauce. Serve hot as desired, either alone or alongside your favorite pasta, rice, or bread.
- Enjoy Your Meal: Dish out and enjoy this comforting and easy Crockpot Sausage & Peppers dinner, perfect for family meals or casual gatherings.
Notes
- For best flavor, do not skip searing the sausages before adding to the crockpot.
- You can use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausages depending on your spice preference.
- This dish freezes well – store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure your marinara sauce and sausage are certified gluten-free.
- Serve over pasta, polenta, rice, or in hoagie rolls for a hearty sandwich.
- Adjust salt cautiously if your marinara sauce or sausage is already seasoned.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: crockpot sausage peppers, slow cooker sausage and peppers, Italian sausage recipe, easy crockpot dinner, sausage and peppers slow cooker, Italian sausage peppers onions
