Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe

It’s 5 PM. The game is on in an hour. Or the kids are starving. Or you just walked in the door and cooking feels impossible.

I get it. We’ve all been there. That’s why we need recipes that do the heavy lifting for us, like these easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.

Today, I’m giving you the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it hero: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. It’s the flavor of a street fair with zero of the fuss. Your future self will thank you.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Category: Main Course
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-6 hours (slow cooker)
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (mostly hands-off!)
• Servings: 6

Ultimate Guide to Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

This isn’t just another recipe. This is your ticket to a crazy-delicious meal with almost no work.

Why is this the only guide you need? First, the flavor is insane. The slow cooker melds everything together into a sweet, savory, juicy masterpiece. Second, speed. Your active time is under 15 minutes. The rest is magic happening while you live your life.

Finally, ease. You literally toss things in a pot and walk away. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, feeding a crowd on game day, or just making sure dinner is DONE.

The Simple Ingredients

I love this because it’s built on pantry heroes. You might have most of this already!

• 2 lbs Italian sausage links (hot, sweet, or a mix!)
• 3 large bell peppers (I use one red, one yellow, one green for color)
• 1 large yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup water or broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 6 hoagie rolls, for serving
• Optional for serving: shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese

Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)

Ready? This is the easiest part. Let’s power up that slow cooker and get dinner rolling.

1. Prep your veggies. Slice the bell peppers and onion into strips. Mince the garlic. That’s the bulk of your “work” right there.
2. Brown the sausage (optional but recommended!). This step is a flavor booster. Quickly brown the sausage links in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side. You’re not cooking them through, just getting some color.
3. Layer it all in. Place the sliced peppers and onion in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the minced garlic. Pour in the marinara sauce and water. Stir in the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Nestle the sausage links into the sauce and veggies.
4. Cook! Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours. The sausages will be cooked through and the peppers will be perfectly tender.
5. Serve. Grab your hoagie rolls. Place a sausage link and a heap of peppers and sauce inside. Top with cheese if you like. That’s it. You’re a dinner champion.

What to Serve With This Dish

This dish is a full meal on a bun! But if you want to round it out, keep it simple.

A bag of frozen fries or onion rings in the oven is a classic game day move. A simple green salad with Italian dressing cuts the richness. For another comforting, hands-off meal, try this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew.

Recipe

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe

Make Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Jennifer McDonallds

Prep: 15 min | Cook: - | Total: 4 hours

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

The Simple Ingredients

• 2 lbs Italian sausage links (hot, sweet, or a mix!)
• 3 large bell peppers (I use one red, one yellow, one green for color)
• 1 large yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup water or broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 6 hoagie rolls, for serving
• Optional for serving: shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese

Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)

1

Prep your veggies. Slice the bell peppers and onion into strips. Mince the garlic. That’s the bulk of your “work” right there.

2

Brown the sausage (optional but recommended!). This step is a flavor booster. Quickly brown the sausage links in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side. You’re not cooking them through, just getting some color.

3

Layer it all in. Place the sliced peppers and onion in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the minced garlic. Pour in the marinara sauce and water. Stir in the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Nestle the sausage links into the sauce and veggies.

4

Cook! Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours. The sausages will be cooked through and the peppers will be perfectly tender.

5

Serve. Grab your hoagie rolls. Place a sausage link and a heap of peppers and sauce inside. Top with cheese if you like. That’s it. You’re a dinner champion.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe!

Nutrition Information

Calories: ~550 (per serving with a hoagie roll)

Protein: 22g

Carbohydrates: 45g

Fat: 30g

Saturated Fat: 10g

Fiber: 4g

Sugar: 10g

Did You Make This?

Leave a review and tag us on social media!

For a super low-carb option, skip the bun and serve the sausage and peppers over a bowl of zucchini noodles or creamy polenta. So good.

Make This Recipe Your Own (Quick Swaps)

Make this work for you! Here are my favorite easy swaps.

Use chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter take. The cooking time stays the same.

No marinara? Use a can of crushed tomatoes and add an extra pinch of the dried herbs. It’ll be just as tasty.

Want more veggies? Throw in some sliced mushrooms with the peppers. They’ll soak up all that amazing sauce.

How to Store Leftovers (If You Have Any!)

This keeps like a dream. Let the mixture cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

It will be good for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or a saucepan on the stove.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

• Calories: ~550 (per serving with a hoagie roll)
• Protein: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 10g

*Note: Nutrition is an estimate. Values change with ingredient swaps.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I just put raw sausage in the slow cooker?

You can. It will be safe to eat. But browning it first adds a ton of flavor. I think it’s worth the extra pan.

My sauce is too thin. How do I thicken it?

Easy! Take the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking on HIGH. Let some steam escape. It will thicken right up.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prep the veggies and store them in a bag in the fridge. In the morning, dump everything in the cooker. It’s a total time-saver.

So there you have it. Your new go-to for crazy-busy days. This recipe is a flavor powerhouse that asks for almost nothing in return. If you love the sweet and savory combo here, you’ll adore this Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken for your next meal.

It’s a win for dinner, a win for game day, and a huge win for your sanity. Now go grab that slow cooker and take back your evening.

I want to hear how it goes for you! Did you add extra heat? Try it on polenta? Tell me everything in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave a rating!