Description
Hearty Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers deliver Italian-inspired comfort straight from your slow cooker. Juicy sausages nestle with sweet bell peppers, creating a robust meal you’ll savor with every satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pounds (0.9 kg) Italian sausage links (mild, sweet, or spicy)
Vegetables:
- 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Chopped parsley or grated Parmesan (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sear Italian sausage links in a hot skillet until golden brown, developing rich caramelized edges and intensifying the meat’s natural flavors.
- Transfer seared sausages to the slow cooker, creating a stable base layer for the dish.
- Layer colorful bell peppers and sweet onions around and between the sausage links, ensuring even distribution.
- Mince fresh garlic and scatter across the vegetable layer to infuse aromatic depth into the entire preparation.
- Generously drench the ingredients with robust marinara sauce, allowing it to cascade and coat every component.
- Sprinkle a harmonious blend of Italian seasoning, creating a fragrant herb profile that complements the hearty proteins.
- Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, then optionally add red pepper flakes for a subtle fiery kick.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the ingredients to simmer and meld together, cooking on low temperature for 6 hours or high temperature for 4 hours.
- Verify sausages are thoroughly cooked with an internal temperature reaching 160°F and vegetables are tender and succulent.
- Slice sausages or serve whole, presenting over steamed rice, al dente pasta, or nestled within toasted hoagie rolls for a versatile meal.
Notes
- Seal in extra flavor by quickly searing sausage before slow cooking, creating a rich caramelized exterior that boosts overall taste profile.
- Adjust spice levels by controlling red pepper flakes – use sparingly for mild heat or generously for a zesty kick that transforms the dish.
- Swap traditional pork sausage with chicken or turkey sausage for a leaner protein option that keeps the same delicious Italian-inspired essence.
- Create a low-carb version by serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta or bread, maintaining the recipe’s hearty satisfaction.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg