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5.0 from 9 votes

Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers

Hearty and loaded with healthy, fresh ingredients like bell peppers, onion, and garlic, this easy Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers recipe is the answer to your Italian food cravings!  Slice the sausages for pasta or leave them whole and place in buns for easy sausage & pepper sub sandwiches!

Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs
Servings: 5
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Italian sausage links (usually 5 in a pack)
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 yellow onion sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 6 fresh basil leaves sliced thinly
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes optional (if you like spicy)
  • Rolls for sandwiches or cooked pasta
  • Parmesan Cheese garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Brown sausages on both sides in a skillet, then transfer them to a slow cooker. (I used a 5-quart slow cooker). We don't need to cook the sausages through, just searing the exterior for color.
  2. Top the sausages with the sliced bell peppers, onion, garlic, marinara sauce, and fresh basil leaves. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6.
  3. FOR PASTA: remove the sausages from the slow cooker and slice them on a diagonal, then return them to the slow cooker. Serve the sausage & peppers over your favorite pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese.
  4. FOR SUBS: either leave rolls soft, or toast them, personal preference. Place whole sausages in the roll and top with onions and peppers. If desired, place provolone or mozzarella cheese on top and broil until cheese melts. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Browning sausages is optional, but they look more appetizing with some color on them, and searing them enhances their flavor.
  • Browning sausages is optional, but they look more appetizing with some color on them, and searing them enhances their flavor.