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Crock Pot sausage peppers

Section: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

This dish features Italian sausage slow-cooked with a medley of bell peppers and onions, creating juicy, tender bites packed with flavor. Prepared in a Crock Pot or slow cooker, it’s ideal for an easy yet savory meal option. Using a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and marinara sauce, the ingredients meld into a comforting, versatile dish. Serve it on buns, over pasta, or enjoy it as is for a satisfying dinner. Perfect for weeknight meals, it’s both simple to prepare and full of rich, aromatic taste.

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Brought to You By Nina
Last updated on Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:39:45 GMT
A crock pot filled with sausage and peppers. Bookmark
A crock pot filled with sausage and peppers. | ninatable.com

This hearty crock pot sausage and peppers dish brings the best of Italian flavors together with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting meal without the fuss. Juicy Italian sausages simmer slowly with tender bell peppers, onions, and a rich marinara sauce, creating a meal that fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas.

I first made this when I was short on time but craving something tasty. Now it’s a go to recipe that my whole family asks for regularly, especially when I want dinner ready without last minute scrambling.

Ingredients

  • Italian sausages: the star of the dish, look for quality fresh sausages for the best flavor
  • Bell peppers: use a mix of red and green for color and sweetness, choose firm, brightly colored peppers
  • Onions: yellow or white onions add a natural sweetness and soften to meld with the peppers
  • Marinara sauce: adds depth and a saucy finish, pick one with simple, fresh ingredients
  • Butter: used for browning the sausages, choose unsalted to control seasoning
  • Garlic powder: boosts the savory profile without the texture of fresh garlic
  • Italian seasoning: a blend of dried herbs that brings authentic flavor to the dish
  • Salt and pepper: essential for seasoning the vegetables and sauce just right
  • Tomato paste: enriches the sauce, look for a thick, high quality paste in a tube or can

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:
Cook sliced onions and bell peppers in the crock pot on low heat. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to build layers of flavor. Stir together with marinara sauce for an even coating. Let this mixture cook for about two hours, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and infused.
Brown the Sausages:
While the vegetables are cooking, heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the Italian sausages thoroughly on all sides until they develop a rich, golden crust. This step enhances flavor and texture but can be skipped if you want less prep.
Combine and Simmer:
Transfer the browned sausages to the crock pot, nestling them among the cooked peppers and onions. Cover and cook on low for another four hours. Stir gently every hour to prevent sticking but be careful not to break up the sausages, as they become very tender.
Slice and Serve:
If you prefer, remove the sausages, slice them into rounds, and return them to the crock pot to soak in the sauce. Serve hot on their own, over pasta, or piled onto soft buns for a delicious sandwich.
A close up of a sausage and peppers dish.
A close up of a sausage and peppers dish. | ninatable.com

My favorite part is the sweet and tender bell peppers mingling with the savory, juicy sausages. It reminds me of family dinners growing up where the aroma alone meant we were about to enjoy something truly comforting and made with care.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. To keep it longer, transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to three months. Reheat gently to maintain the texture of the peppers and sausages.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap Italian sausage for chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter alternative. Use jarred roasted red peppers if fresh bell peppers are unavailable, just reduce any added liquid slightly. If you do not have marinara sauce, canned crushed tomatoes with a pinch of sugar make a fine substitute.

Serving Suggestions

Try serving the sausage and peppers on toasted hoagie rolls with a little provolone or mozzarella melted on top. Serve over egg noodles or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. Add a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh pasta salad to round out the meal.

A crock pot filled with sausage and peppers.
A crock pot filled with sausage and peppers. | ninatable.com

This crock pot sausage and peppers is an easy, comforting meal that shines with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy nights or feeding a crowd.

Common Recipe Questions

→ How can I serve sausage and peppers?

They can be enjoyed on sandwich buns, over pasta, rice, or alongside egg noodles for a filling meal.

→ What sides go well with this dish?

Try pairing with Southern fried potatoes, mac and cheese, grilled vegetables, or a fresh pasta salad.

→ Can this be cooked in the oven instead?

Yes. Arrange sausage and sliced peppers and onions on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season, and roast at 400°F for 25-35 minutes.

→ Is it possible to add more sauce?

Definitely, warm marinara sauce can be added for extra moisture and flavor if desired.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Crock Pot sausage peppers

Italian sausage cooked slow with peppers and onions, perfect for sandwiches or pasta.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cooking Time
360 minutes
Total Time
375 minutes
Brought to You By: Nina

Recipe Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Great for Beginners

Cuisine Type: Italian-American

Portions: 4 Serves

Dietary Preferences: Gluten-Free

What You'll Need

→ Meat

01 1 pound Italian sweet sausages
02 2 tablespoons salted butter

→ Vegetables

03 1 green bell pepper, sliced
04 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 1 large onion, sliced

→ Condiments & Seasonings

06 2 cups marinara sauce
07 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 1 teaspoon tomato paste
10 Salt, to taste
11 Black pepper, to taste

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Slice the green and red bell peppers along with the onion into thin strips.

Step 02

Place sliced peppers and onions into a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add marinara sauce and tomato paste, then stir until combined.

Step 03

Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 04

While vegetables cook, heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and brown the sausages on all sides until seared but not fully cooked.

Step 05

Add the seared sausages to the slow cooker with the peppers and onions. Cover and cook on low for an additional 4 hours, stirring gently every hour to prevent breaking the sausages.

Step 06

If desired, remove sausages, slice them, and return to the slow cooker before serving.

Step 07

Serve hot by itself, on hot dog buns, or over pasta, rice, or noodles as preferred.

Extra Suggestions

  1. To enhance the dish, you can optionally add warmed marinara sauce before serving for a saucier texture.
  2. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container refrigerated up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  3. For an alternative cooking method, roast the prepared vegetables and sausages on a baking sheet at 400°F for 25-35 minutes, tossing halfway.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Slow cooker (4 to 6-quart capacity)
  • Skillet or frying pan

Allergy Details

Read ingredient lists for allergens carefully, and consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter)
  • Contains pork (Italian sausage)