It’s 5 PM. The game is on in an hour. Or the kids are hungry. Or you just walked in the door and cooking feels impossible.
I get it. We all have those nights. That’s why I live for my slow cooker. It’s my weeknight superhero. For another effortless tropical dinner, you have to try this Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken.
Today, we’re making the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it champion: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. This is flavor that cooks itself while you live your life.
Imagine coming home to that classic Italian fairground smell. Savory sausage, sweet peppers, and a rich tomato sauce. All ready to be piled onto a hoagie roll. It’s a total crowd-pleaser with almost zero active work.
Let’s get your dinner saved.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Category: Main Course
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (Low) or 3 hours (High)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (mostly hands-off!)
- Servings: 6
Ultimate Guide to Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
Why is this the only guide you need? Because I’ve made every mistake so you don’t have to.
This recipe nails three things: deep flavor, total ease, and flexibility. The slow cooker does the magic. It melds everything together into something incredible.
You get tender, juicy sausage. You get soft, sweet peppers in a rich sauce. It’s perfect for a busy Tuesday or feeding a team on game day.
No standing over a stove. No babysitting. Just a few minutes of prep for a massive flavor payoff. That’s my kind of cooking.
The Simple Ingredients
Here’s the best part. You probably have half of this already. No fancy trips to the store needed.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe
The Simple Ingredients
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe!
- 2 lbs Italian sausage links (hot, sweet, or a mix!)
- 3 large bell peppers (I use red, yellow, and green for color)
- 1 large yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 6 hoagie rolls, for serving
- Provolone or mozzarella cheese slices (optional, but highly recommended)
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Ready? This is the fastest 15 minutes of prep you’ll ever do. Then you’re free for hours.
- Prep the veggies. Slice your bell peppers and onion into strips. Mince the garlic. That’s it.
- Brown the sausage (optional but great). This step is totally optional but adds big flavor. Quickly brown the sausage links in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side. You’re not cooking them through, just getting color.
- Load the slow cooker. Add the pepper and onion strips to the bottom of your crock. Place the sausage links on top. Sprinkle the garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes over everything.
- Add the sauce. Pour the jar of marinara and the broth over the top. Gently stir just a bit to mix the liquids.
- Cook! Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours. The sausage will be cooked through and the peppers will be perfectly tender.
- Serve. Grab your hoagie rolls. You can toast them if you like. Place a sausage link (or two!) in the roll, top with loads of peppers and sauce. Add a slice of cheese if you’re using it. The heat will melt it beautifully.
What to Serve With This Dish
This dish is a full meal on a bun. But if you want to round it out, keep it simple.
A bagged salad with Italian dressing is my go-to. It takes 2 minutes. For another classic, family-friendly sandwich option, these Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are always a hit.
For game day, put out a bowl of crispy potato chips or a quick pasta salad. If you’re skipping the bun, serve it over a bed of creamy polenta or simple rice. Easy.
Make This Recipe Your Own (Quick Swaps)
Make this work for you. Use what you have. Here are my favorite easy swaps.
Try chicken or turkey sausage instead of pork. It works great. Use a can of crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning instead of marinara. It’s just as good.
Add other veggies. Throw in some sliced mushrooms with the peppers. They’ll cook down and add even more savory flavor. See? Simple.
How to Store Leftovers (If You Have Any!)
This reheats like a dream. Let the mix cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
It will keep for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove. The flavors get even better the next day.
You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Calories: ~550 (for sausage and pepper mix, without bun/cheese)
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 10g
*Nutrition is an estimate. Values can vary based on ingredients used.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I just throw the sausage in raw?
Yes! It will cook through safely in the slow cooker. Browning first adds a deeper flavor and nicer color, but you can skip it to save time.
My sauce is too thin. How do I thicken it?
Easy. Take the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking on HIGH. Let some steam escape. You can also mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir it in at the end.
Can I make this ahead for a party?
Absolutely. This is a perfect make-ahead dish for game day. Cook it, keep it warm in the slow cooker on the “Warm” setting for up to 2 hours. Guests can build their own sandwiches.
There you have it. Your new back-pocket recipe for crazy days. Maximum flavor, minimum effort. That’s the busy cook’s promise. If you love the combo of potatoes and sausage, this recipe for Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage is another fantastic hands-off meal.
Now go reclaim your evening. You’ve got a delicious, hot dinner waiting for you with almost no work.
Did you try this? I want to hear all about it! Leave a comment and a rating below to let me know how your Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers turned out!
