This Crockpot sausage and peppers comes together in about 10 minutes of prep time and slowly simmers away in the crockpot for an easy weenknight dinner that your family will love! Seriously, it’s a lifesaver on those busy evenings when you need something hearty and flavorful without spending all evening in the kitchen.
Ingredients Breakdown
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound sausage (Italian is my go-to, but feel free to use turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option)
- 3 bell peppers (I usually use a mix of red, yellow, and green for a colorful presentation, just slice them up! You could even do poblano or anaheim if you’re feeling adventurous!)
- 1 onion (sliced, yep, a whole onion. Trust me, it adds tons of flavor!)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced, because garlic makes everything better, does it not?)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz, no need to drain, we want that juicy goodness!)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or make your own blend, how creative are you feeling?)
- Salt and pepper to taste (I usually go with a couple pinches of each, but taste it and adjust!)
- Olive oil (for sautéing the sausage, just a drizzle should do!)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Sausage: Use any ground sausage, pork, chicken, turkey, or even a meat alternative if you’re going plant-based!
- Peppers: Toss in any of your favorites! Zucchini, mushrooms, or even spinach could work here.
- Garlic: If you’re feeling lazy on a busy day, garlic powder can totally step in, about 1/4 teaspoon is a good substitute.
- Diced tomatoes: You can use fresh tomatoes if you have some ripe ones lying around, or even a jar of marinara sauce in a pinch!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Heat Olives: In a skillet, drizzle a little olive oil over medium heat. It should shimmer like it’s ready for some action! Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Don’t forget to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan (that’s where the flavor lives!).
Transfer to Crockpot: Once the sausage is nice and golden, transfer it to the crockpot, leaving any delicious oil behind. We want that flavor flooded all over!
Add Veggies: Toss in those sliced bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic into the crockpot. Oh, the smell of those aromatics? Mmm, that’s the good stuff!
Tomatoes and Seasonings: Open your can of diced tomatoes (yes, the juicy ones) and dump it right in there. Follow that with the Italian seasoning, a couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste.
Stir All Together: Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients. It should look colorful and inviting!
Cook It Down: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You’ll want the peppers to be softened and everything to be flavorful and melded together, like a big happy family!
Serve & Enjoy: Serve it warm with crusty bread to soak up all that flavorful juice or over a bed of rice! Your family will be asking for seconds, at least, that’s how it goes in my house!
If you loved this Crockpot sausage and peppers, be sure to check out my Sausage and Egg Casserole or my Fried Potatoes and Onions with Smoked Polish Sausage!
Why This Crockpot sausage and peppers Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in a flash, about 10 minutes of hands-on time. I mean, who doesn’t love a meal that practically cooks itself? Just set it and forget it!
One Pot Wonder
Everything cooks in one pot! Minimal cleanup required! I’m talking about just the cutting board, knife, and your crockpot. That’s it!
Budget-Friendly
Using affordable, everyday ingredients means this is perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd without breaking the bank. You can even get creative with what you have, so it’s a win-win!
Comfort Food
Let’s be real: Loaded with tons of flavor, this dish is perfect for chilly nights. It checks all the boxes for what makes a great comfort food recipe!
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Serve it alongside some crusty bread or over a mound of rice. You can even spoon it over pasta, really, anything goes! Top it off with some freshly grated parmesan cheese for that extra oomph of flavor!
Storage
- Refrigerator: Leftovers will keep nicely in an airtight container for about 3-4 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If you’re in a rush, the microwave works too, just pop it in for a minute or so, checking to make sure it heats evenly!
Freezer-Friendly?
Oh yes! This dish is freezer-friendly! Just place it in a freezer-safe container, and it’ll last around 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when you need it again!
There you have it! My Crockpot sausage and peppers, a fantastic dish that’s here to save the day. You can whip it up again and again with whatever ingredients you have lurking in your pantry or fridge because it’s adaptable and forgiving! So, if you find yourself scrambling for a dinner idea, just remember this recipe and dig in!
You won’t be disappointed, I promise! It’s like a culinary embrace on a plate, and your family will be singing praises in no time.
So, what’s cooking tonight? Let me know how your journey with this recipe goes! Enjoy!
Happy cooking, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Easy Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
- Total Time: 250 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
A quick and delicious slow-cooked dinner that brings flavors together in a colorful and comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound sausage (Italian, turkey, or chicken)
- 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, and green, sliced)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
- Transfer the browned sausage to the crockpot, leaving any oil behind.
- Add sliced bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic into the crockpot.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper.
- Stir everything together to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until peppers are softened.
- Serve warm with crusty bread or over rice.
Notes
Feel free to customize this recipe with any vegetables you have on hand. It’s great for using leftovers!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg