Easy Crock Pot Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
8 -6 servings
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Calories
487 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
Easy Crock Pot Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Description
The recipe begins by browning raw Italian sausages to enhance flavor. The sausages are placed in a crock pot over sliced bell peppers and onions seasoned with garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes for heat. Marinara sauce is poured over the vegetables and sausages before slow cooking on low or high until the sausages are fully cooked and the vegetables tender.
The resulting dish offers savory sausage with tender, flavorful peppers and onions infused with tomato and herb notes. It can be served directly with marinara for dipping, stuffed into sub rolls and topped with melted cheese, or over pasta with grated Parmesan. It also lends itself well to low-carb options by serving without bread and with vegetable alternatives like zoodles or cauliflower rice.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days, and the dish is freezer-friendly for up to three months when stored airtight. For reheating, warming gently on the stovetop or microwave prevents overcooking.
Ingredients
- 6-10 links Italian sausage mild (sweet) or spicy or use; bratwursts or your favorite sausages, just make sure they are raw, not pre-cooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 large bell pepper use your favorite colors. I like red, yellow and orange, but green is great in it too!, seeded and sliced into strips
- 1 large onion cut in half, then sliced into strips (use yellow or red onion)
- 4-6 cloves garlic minced or 4 teaspoons jarred garlic
- 2 cups marinara sauce quality sauce, such as Rao’s, make homemade for even better taste!
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional, add more for spicier
- ½ - 1 teaspoon kosher salt to taste, add after cooking
- ¼-½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese optional for serving, shredded
- Parmesan Cheese optional for serving, grated
Instructions
- Dice and measure all of your ingredients for the easiest recipe! You may dump and go, but take a few minutes to brown the sausages for the best flavor! *Keep the sausages whole or cut in half or thirds depending on how you are serving them.
- For best flavor, in a large saute pan, add oil over medium-high heat, add sausages (in single layer, doing in batches so you don’t overcrowd—brown sausages on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Add sliced peppers, onions, minced garlic (4-6 cloves), Italian seasoning (1 tablespoon), salt (½ teaspoon), pepper (¼ - ½ teaspoon) to a 6-quart or larger crockpot and toss to mix.
- Pour marinara sauce (2 cups) evenly over the vegetables, then place a layer of the browned sausages on top.
- Cover and cook on LOW 3-4 hours or HIGH 1 ½-2 ½ hours, until sausages are cooked through. Remember that many crockpots heat slightly different, so make sure your onions and peppers are cooked to desired and the sausages are cooked through.
Notes
- Browning sausages before slow cooking adds flavor but they must cook fully in the slow cooker.
- Serve with marinara sauce for dipping, in sandwiches, or over pasta for varied meals.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
- Reheat gently on stovetop, microwave, or return to slow cooker to avoid drying out.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8-6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 487 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 11 serving | |
| Calories | 487kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Cholesterol | 96mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1347mg | 56% |
| Potassium | 649mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 2315IU | 46% |
| Vitamin C | 87mg | 97% |
| Calcium | 121mg | 12% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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