Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

A simple, hearty slow-cooker meal with juicy Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, onions, and a rich tomato sauce. It’s an easy comfort-food dinner with plenty of flavor and very little prep.

Ingredients

For the sausage and peppers:

• 1½ lb (680 g) Italian sausage, mild or hot
• 3 bell peppers, sliced (red, yellow, and green)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan, optional

Optional:

• ½ cup sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup sliced banana peppers
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• Crusty bread, hoagie rolls, pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables
   Slice the bell peppers and onion into strips. Mince the garlic.
2. Brown the sausage
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and brown for about 2–3 minutes per side. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
3. Prepare the slow cooker
   Place about half of the sliced peppers and onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.
4. Add the sausage
   Arrange the browned sausages over the vegetables.
5. Add the remaining ingredients
   Add the remaining peppers, onions, and garlic. Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
6. Slow cook
   Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3½ hours, until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
7. Check the sausage
   The sausage should reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for pork sausage or 165°F (74°C) for poultry sausage.
8. Finish the dish
   Taste and adjust the seasoning. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan or mozzarella.
9. Serve
   Serve the sausage and peppers on toasted hoagie rolls, over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or simply enjoy it on its own.

Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving, based on 6 servings and without bread or cheese:

• Calories: 410 kcal
• Protein: 22 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 1,050 mg
• Cholesterol: 65 mg

Nutrition varies depending on the sausage and tomato products used.

Nut & Allergen Information

• Naturally nut-free when prepared with suitable ingredients.
• Contains no eggs unless the sausage contains egg as an ingredient.
• Usually dairy-free if cheese is omitted.
• Gluten-free when served without bread and when using certified gluten-free sausage and tomato products.
• Always check packaged sausage labels for wheat, dairy, soy, or other allergens.
• For a lower-sodium version, use low-sodium tomato products and a lower-sodium sausage.

Helpful Tips

• Browning the sausage first adds extra flavor, but you can skip this step for an even easier meal.
• Use a mixture of red, yellow, orange, and green peppers for more color and sweetness.
• For a thicker sauce, leave the slow cooker uncovered for the final 20–30 minutes.
• Hot Italian sausage and red pepper flakes make this dish pleasantly spicy.
• For sandwiches, toast the rolls and add melted mozzarella or provolone.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use frozen sausage?
A: For best food safety and even cooking, thaw the sausage before placing it in the slow cooker.

Q: Can I use chicken sausage?
A: Yes. Chicken or turkey sausage works very well. Cook until it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Q: Can I make this with only one type of pepper?
A: Absolutely. Green, red, yellow, or orange peppers can be used alone or in combination.

Q: Can I add potatoes?
A: Yes. Add about 1½–2 pounds of small diced potatoes. They may need additional cooking time.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

Q: Can I freeze sausage and peppers?
A: Yes. Cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly.

Q: What is the best way to serve it?
A: It’s delicious in hoagie rolls with melted cheese, but it also works beautifully over pasta, rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes.