Description
This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe offers a hearty, flavorful meal with tender Italian sausages cooked alongside sweet bell peppers and onions in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner, this classic Italian-American dish delivers comforting, savory flavors with minimal prep and cooking effort.
Ingredients
Sausage
- 2 packages Italian sausage links (19 ounces each)
- 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 Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Sear the Italian sausage links for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned and slightly crisp to lock in flavor and texture.
- Add Vegetables and Sauce to Crockpot: While sausages sear, place sliced bell peppers, onions, minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker, spreading them evenly.
- Top with Sausages: Arrange the browned sausage links on top of the vegetable and sauce mixture inside the crockpot.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the peppers and onions are tender and the sausages are fully cooked through.
- Serve: Stir the sauce gently before serving. Optionally, warm hot dog buns to serve alongside for a classic presentation.
Notes
- For best results, use a mix of colorful bell peppers for both visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Searing the sausage adds extra depth of flavor but can be skipped if you're short on time; just expect a slightly milder taste.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your preference after cooking.
- Serve on toasted buns for a delicious sausage sandwich or over pasta or rice for a complete meal.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
