This Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe is an easy, comforting dinner packed with juicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, tender onions, and rich tomato sauce. Everything cooks together in the slow cooker, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully while you go about your day.
Serve it over pasta, spoon it onto toasted hoagie rolls, or enjoy it with crusty bread for a satisfying family meal.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–6 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH
Total Time: Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes on LOW
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Italian-American
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Italian sausage links, mild or hot
- 3 bell peppers, assorted colors, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained slightly if very watery
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional for browning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables
Wash the bell peppers, remove their seeds, and slice them into strips. Thinly slice the onion and mince the garlic.
Spread the sliced peppers and onions across the bottom of your slow cooker.
Step 2: Brown the Italian sausage (optional)
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sausage links for about 2–3 minutes per side.
This step adds extra flavor and color. The sausages do not need to be fully cooked in the skillet because they will finish cooking in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Make the tomato sauce
In a bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
Step 4: Assemble the slow cooker
Place the browned sausage links over the peppers and onions. Pour the tomato mixture evenly over the top, making sure the sausages are mostly covered.
Do not add extra water unless your sauce is unusually thick; the vegetables will release moisture as they cook.
Step 5: Slow cook until tender
Cover and cook:
- LOW: 4–6 hours
- HIGH: 2–3 hours
Cooking times vary by slow cooker and sausage thickness. Check that the sausages reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for pork sausage or 165°F (74°C) for chicken or turkey sausage.
The peppers should be tender, the onions soft, and the sauce rich and flavorful.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
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Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil and grated Parmesan, if desired.
Serve hot on toasted hoagie rolls, over pasta, with rice, or alongside crusty Italian bread.
Tips for the Best Sausage and Peppers
- Choose your sausage: Mild Italian sausage is family-friendly, while hot Italian sausage adds a spicy kick.
- Use colorful peppers: Red, yellow, and orange peppers add natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Don’t overfill the slow cooker: Keep ingredients within the manufacturer’s recommended fill level.
- Thicken the sauce: If it is too thin at the end, transfer some sauce to a saucepan and simmer until reduced, or remove the lid briefly if your slow cooker instructions allow it.
- Add cheese at serving time: Parmesan adds a savory finish without changing the sauce’s consistency.
What to Serve with Italian Sausage and Peppers
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Try pairing this recipe with:
- Spaghetti or penne pasta
- Toasted hoagie rolls
- Garlic bread
- Creamy polenta
- Steamed rice
- A fresh green salad
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Let leftovers cool slightly, then store them in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating: Warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat or microwave in short intervals until heated through. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put raw Italian sausage directly into the slow cooker?
Yes. You can skip browning and place the sausage directly over the vegetables. Browning is optional and mainly adds flavor and color.
Can I use frozen Italian sausage?
For food safety, thaw sausage in the refrigerator before placing it in the slow cooker. Do not use frozen raw sausage in a slow cooker because it may remain at an unsafe temperature for too long.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Yes! Use hot Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes to taste.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Slice the vegetables and mix the sauce a day ahead, storing them in separate covered containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and cook when ready.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The sausage, tomatoes, and seasonings may be gluten-free, but check each product’s label. Serve with gluten-free sides instead of regular hoagie rolls or pasta.
Printable Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Peppers
Juicy Italian sausage, tender bell peppers, onions, and savory tomato sauce made with minimal prep.
Prep
15 min
Cook
4–6 hrs on LOW
Servings
6
Method
Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lb Italian sausage links
- 3 sliced bell peppers
- 1 sliced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Red pepper flakes, parsley, and Parmesan, optional
Instructions
- Slice the peppers and onion; place them in the slow cooker.
- Brown the sausages in olive oil for 2–3 minutes per side, if desired.
- Mix both kinds of tomatoes with tomato paste, garlic, and seasonings.
- Arrange the sausage over the vegetables and pour the sauce over everything.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the sausage reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Garnish with herbs and Parmesan, then serve on rolls or over pasta.
