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Easy Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Italian sausage cooks slowly with onions, colorful bell peppers, garlic, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce for a hearty Crockpot meal. Serve it in rolls, over pasta, or with crusty bread.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds Italian sausage links, mild or hot
  • 1 large Large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 pepper Green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 pepper Red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 pepper Yellow or orange bell pepper, sliced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasoning
  • 1 14-15 ounce can Diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 8 ounce can Tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Optional Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil, for browning
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
  • as needed Chopped fresh parsley or grated Parmesan

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Slice the onion and bell peppers, and mince the garlic. Keep the pepper strips fairly substantial so they hold their shape during slow cooking.
  2. For better flavor, warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the sausage for 5-7 minutes, turning it to color several sides; it does not need to be fully cooked at this point.
  3. Place the sliced onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic in the slow cooker. Add the browned sausage, either as whole links or in 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces.
  4. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Stir gently to distribute the sauce, vegetables, and sausage without breaking up the peppers. Do not add extra water or broth.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours. The sausage must reach at least 160°F for pork sausage or 165°F for poultry sausage, and the peppers should be tender.
  7. If you cooked whole sausage links, slice them before serving. Taste the sauce and adjust only if needed, remembering that the sausage and canned tomatoes already provide savory seasoning.
  8. Spoon the sausage, peppers, onions, and tomato sauce into toasted hoagie rolls or serve over pasta, rice, polenta, or alongside crusty bread. Finish with parsley or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Browning the sausage first improves flavor and helps reduce excess grease. For firmer peppers, add them during the final 1-2 hours of cooking. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat until hot throughout.