Description
This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Tender bell peppers and onions simmer alongside savory Italian sausage in a rich marinara sauce, creating a comforting and delicious dish with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage
- 2 (19-ounce) packages Italian sausage links
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil (to sear links)
Vegetables & Sauce
- 6 bell peppers (mix of colors, sliced into strips)
- 2 onions (sliced into strips)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Sear the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Place the Italian sausage links in the skillet and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are browned and slightly crisped on the outside. This step enhances flavor and texture.
- Prepare the Crockpot Base: While the sausage is searing, add the sliced bell peppers, onions, minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Stir to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Add Sausage to Crockpot: Place the seared sausage links on top of the vegetable and sauce mixture in the crockpot, distributing them evenly.
- Slow Cook the Mixture: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours. Cook until the peppers and onions are tender and the sausages are fully cooked through, allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the sausage and peppers gently in the sauce to combine. Optionally, warm hot dog buns to serve alongside for a classic presentation.
Notes
- Searing the sausage before slow cooking adds depth of flavor and texture but can be skipped if short on time.
- You can use sweet or hot Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.
- For a gluten-free version, serve without buns or use gluten-free buns.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and make great sandwiches.
- Add a splash of red wine to the marinara sauce for added richness if desired.
