Sausages, peppers and onions simmer in a delicious homemade balsamic tomato sauce making this Italian classic a flavorful dinner recipe. Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is an easy way to make dinner tonight.
Sausage and peppers is a classic comfort food recipe that’s been a popular Italian dish through the ages.
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Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
Let your crockpot do the cooking for you and come home to a saucy Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers dinner.
Perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings and a Sunday supper, this recipe is packed with the classic Italian flavors of juicy Italian sausage, tender bell peppers, savory onions in a rich tomato sauce.
You'll want to serve your slow cooker dinner with all its sauciness over pasta or rice or on a hearty roll.
I’m sure you will agree with me when I say that this is a meal that's comforting, satisfying, with lots of sauce and so easy to prepare.
The simplicity of this classic slow-cooked meal is easy on the cook. Just prep, set and forget until it’s time to serve.
You can opt to brown the sausages in a skillet on the stovetop before adding them to the slow cooker. This is an optional step but it will add additional flavor to the finished recipe.
Some slow cookers actually have a sauteing feature. If yours does, you can brown the sausages right in the crock pot before adding the vegetables.
I added balsamic vinegar to the marinara sauce making a tomato sauce with an added depth of flavor.
This versatile, no-fuss recipe is a comforting meal that delivers bold flavors with minimal effort.
Serve as a hearty sandwich filling in hoagie rolls or over pasta or rice and this dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
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How to make sausage and peppers in marinara sauce
This is a quick overview of how to make this peppers and sausage recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Step 1: Arrange the peppers, onion and garlic on the bottom of your slow cooker
- Step 2: Add sausages in a single layer over the vegetables
- Step 3: Combine crushed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, kosher salt and pepper and pour the tomato mixture over the sausages to cover. Cook 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
- Step 4: Remove the sausages and slice in 1-inch pieces
Step 5: Return the sliced sausages to the slow cooker. Stir to combine and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes
Hint: Brown the sausages in a cast iron skillet or nonstick skillet for added flavor. This extra step is not required but will add extra flavor to the recipe.
Expert recipe tips
Browning the Sausage – For added flavor you can brown the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat before arranging them in your slow cooker. This step is optional but recommended for a richer taste.
Layering - Place the vegetables at the bottom of your slow cooker topped with the sausages to ensure even cooking.
Consistent Slicing – Be sure that the peppers and onions are sliced uniformly for even cooking. Also, slice them in wide 1-inch wide strips so they hold their shape during the slow cooking.
Halve the Recipe – You can easily halve the recipe to make just 4 servings.
Serving Suggestions - Some delicious ways to serve this recipe include tossed with your favorite pasta, with egg noodles, over rice or cauliflower rice or in a hoagie bun
Substitutions
- Sausage - Swap Italian sausage for chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or plant-based sausage
- Sausage Flavor – I used a combination of sweet Italian sausage and hot Italian sausage but you can make this recipe with just one type of Italian sausage, sweet, hot or mild.
- Tomatoes - Use a 16 ounce can of diced tomatoes with a 16 ounce can of crushed tomatoes for a chunkier sauce.
- Vinegar – Replace the balsamic vinegar with red wine vinegar for a different flavor profile.
- Onion - Sweet onion can replace yellow onion
Variations
- Vegetables - Add mushrooms, zucchini, or diced potatoes for extra heartiness.
- Spicy – Add crushed red pepper flakes to the crushed tomatoes for a hint of heat and spiciness
- Smoky - Add smoked paprika to the crushed tomatoes for a smoky depth of flavor.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Chef Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring spoons
- Kitchen Scale
- Wooden Spoon
Storage and Reheating
- Storing - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing - Freeze the cooked sausage and peppers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating - Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Ingredients
Ingredients for easy slow cooker sausage and peppers
- Italian sausage - Sausage adds a savory flavor and protein. Choose sweet, mild, or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preference.
- Bell peppers – Add a vibrant color combination and natural sweetness
- Yellow onion - Adds a touch of sweetness enhancing the savory profile of the recipe
- Garlic cloves - Infuse the recipe with aromatic depth
- Canned crushed tomatoes – A hearty base for the sauce
- Balsamic vinegar - Adds a hint of tangy sweetness that balances the flavors and adds a richness to the recipe
- Dried Italian seasoning - A blend of herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme that adds a classic Italian flavor
- Kosher salt - Makes the flavors of the ingredients pop
- Black pepper – adds a hint of savory spice
Related Recipes
What to serve with
These are my favorite dishes to serve with sausage and peppers:
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 red, yellow and/or orange bell peppers , seeded and sliced into 1-inch wide strips
- 1 large onion ,sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , thinly sliced
- 2 pounds sweet and/or hot Italian sausage
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
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Instructions
- Arrange the peppers, onion and garlic on the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Top with the sausages.
- Combine crushed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, kosher salt and pepper and pour the tomato mixture over the sausages to cover.
- Cook for 6 hours on low or for 3 hours on high.
- Remove the sausages from the slow cooker. Slice the sausages on a diagonal and return them into the crockpot.
- Stir to combine and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes.
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