Recipes · Sausage & Peppers
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
Quick answer
Layer sliced peppers, onion and garlic in the slow cooker, top with (ideally browned) Italian sausage, pour over crushed tomatoes and herbs, then cook 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH until the sausage hits 160°F.
Why make sausage and peppers in a crockpot
The slow cooker (or crockpot, or crock pot — same machine, three spellings) turns sausage and peppers into a hands-off meal. The peppers melt into the tomato sauce, the sausage stays juicy, and the whole house smells like a street fair.
It's the go-to version for game days, parties and busy weeknights: load it in the morning, serve it at dinner, keep it warm for hours.
Ingredients (6–8 servings)
- 2 lb Italian sausage links (sweet, hot or a mix)
- 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced into strips
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, pinch of red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Hoagie rolls, pasta or polenta for serving
Method
1. Optional but recommended: brown the sausages in a skillet for 5–6 minutes so they hold their shape and add flavor.
2. Layer the peppers, onion and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker (crockpot).
3. Set the sausages on top, then pour the crushed tomatoes and seasonings over everything.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until sausages reach 160°F inside and peppers are tender.
5. Slice the sausages if you like, stir, taste for salt and serve on rolls, over pasta or with polenta.
Tips for the best crockpot sausage and peppers
- Don't add extra liquid — peppers and onions release plenty of their own.
- Want firmer peppers? Add them for the last 2 hours instead of at the start.
- For a party, keep it on WARM up to 4 hours and set out rolls and provolone.
- Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
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Credit “Uncle Larry Adventures” and link to this recipe page.
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“Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers” — Uncle Larry Adventures, https://unclelarryadventures.com/recipes/slow-cooker-sausage-and-peppers
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Common questions
Do you have to brown sausage before putting it in the slow cooker?
No, but it helps. Browning adds flavor and color and keeps the casings from going soft. Raw sausage cooks safely in the crockpot as long as it reaches 160°F inside.
How long do sausage and peppers take in a crockpot?
About 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH.
Can I put frozen sausage in the slow cooker?
It's not recommended. Frozen meat can sit too long at unsafe temperatures; thaw it in the fridge first.
Is crockpot the same as slow cooker?
Yes. Crock-Pot is a brand name that became the common word for any slow cooker, so the recipe works in any brand.
What do you serve with slow cooker sausage and peppers?
Toasted hoagie rolls, pasta, polenta, rice or crusty bread. See our full list of sides for more ideas.