Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe

This mouthwatering Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers combines Italian-seasoned pork sausages with sweet bell peppers and onions, all simmered in a rich marinara sauce until perfectly tender. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this hands-off meal delivers restaurant-quality flavor while your slow cooker does all the work. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s equally perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Pork sausage links: These form the heart of the dish, providing rich flavor and satisfying protein. Italian sausages work best, but you can use sweet or hot varieties depending on your preference.
• Bell peppers: Use a colorful mix (red, yellow, green) for the best presentation and slightly different flavor notes from each color.
• Onion: Adds sweetness as it slowly cooks down and melds with the peppers. Yellow or white onions work perfectly.
• Garlic: Provides essential aromatics and depth of flavor to the dish.
• Italian seasoning: This blend of herbs complements the sausage and vegetables perfectly.
• Olive oil: Used for browning the sausages, which adds another layer of flavor.
• Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors.
• Marinara sauce: Provides the liquid for cooking and creates a delicious sauce. Use your favorite brand or homemade.

Variations

Different Protein Options

• Turkey or chicken sausage: For a lighter version with less fat
• Beyond Meat or other plant-based sausages: To make this dish vegetarian
• Mixed Italian meats: Add some diced pancetta or small meatballs for an even heartier meal

Flavor Twists

• Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausages
• Wine-infused: Add 1/4 cup of red wine to the marinara sauce
• Cheesy goodness: Top with mozzarella or provolone during the last 30 minutes of cooking
• Herb-forward: Add fresh basil and oregano just before serving

How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Step 1: Brown the Sausages

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage links and cook for about 2 minutes per side, just until they develop a nice brown color. They don’t need to be cooked through as they’ll finish in the slow cooker.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

While the sausages are browning, add the sliced bell peppers, onions, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to your slow cooker. Toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Step 3: Assemble in the Slow Cooker

Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the seasoned vegetables. Once the sausages are browned, place them on top of the vegetable mixture in the slow cooker.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and cook on Low for 4-5 hours or on High for 2-3 hours. The sausages should be completely cooked through, and the vegetables should be tender but not mushy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the sausages and vegetables from the slow cooker and serve with your preferred sides. Spoon the sauce generously over everything.

How to Serve

Classic Serving Styles

Serve these sausage and peppers on toasted hoagie rolls for the ultimate Italian-American sandwich experience. Add some provolone cheese and quickly broil to melt it for an extra special touch.

Other Delicious Pairings

• Spoon over creamy polenta for a comforting Italian-inspired meal
• Serve alongside fluffy mashed potatoes
• Toss with your favorite pasta shape
• Pair with crusty Italian bread to soak up all the delicious sauce
• Serve over rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually improve after a day as they continue to meld together.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. You can also microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until heated to your liking. For larger portions, reheat in the oven at 325°F in a covered dish with a splash of water to maintain moisture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen peppers and onions in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen peppers and onions, but be aware that they’ll release more liquid during cooking. To compensate, reduce the marinara sauce by about 1/4 cup. The texture of frozen vegetables will also be softer in the final dish, but the flavor will still be delicious.

What’s the best way to prevent the vegetables from getting too mushy?
For firmer vegetables, cook on Low rather than High setting. You can also add the peppers halfway through the cooking time if you prefer them to have more texture. Another trick is to slice the vegetables slightly thicker than you might normally.

Can I add potatoes to this recipe?
Absolutely! Small baby potatoes or quartered red potatoes make a wonderful addition. Place them at the bottom of the slow cooker since they take longer to cook than peppers and onions. You might need to add an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time.

Is it necessary to brown the sausages before adding them to the slow cooker?
While not strictly necessary, browning the sausages adds significant flavor through the Maillard reaction and gives them a better texture. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but the final dish won’t have quite the same depth of flavor.

This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe transforms simple ingredients into an incredibly satisfying meal with minimal effort. The combination of tender sausages, sweet peppers and onions, and savory marinara creates a classic Italian-American dish that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. Give it a try this week – your family will thank you, and you’ll love how easy it was to put together!

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