This is a meal I want to share with you that reminds me of comfrot food my mom fixed when I was a kid. This sausage peppers and onions in a crock pot recipe is one of those easy dinners that is both great for a weeknight dinner or hosting friends and family. With just a few ingredients and hardly any effort, this dish makes you feel like you have been simmering something special all day.

The peppers become tender, the onions sweeten, and the sausage soaks up all that saucy Italian flavor that just begs for a hoagie roll or a plate of pasta.

A white plate of cooked sausages with sliced bell peppers and onions in tomato sauce, placed on a green checkered cloth near a slow cooker, with a whole onion and bell pepper beside it.
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  Sausage Peppers and Onions In A Crock Pot

This slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe is stress-free, crowd-pleasing, and so easy to prepare that you will wonder why you ever made it on the stove. Everything cooks together in your crock pot with no fancy techniques, and no stress. It is a hearty meal that works beautifully for casual dinners, game nights, or last-minute guests. I love that I can prep it early in the day and have dinner ready when everyone is hungry.

Top-down view of recipe ingredients: a basket with bell peppers and onions, a package of mild Italian sausage links, a jar of marinara sauce, and small bowls with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt & pepper, and butter.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • Italian sausage: Use mild or hot links, whichever your family prefers. Pork sausage gives the richest flavor, but chicken or turkey sausage also works beautifully.
    Bell peppers: I like to use a mix of red, green,or even yellow for a colorful presentation. I would only use fresh peppers, not frozen, because they hold up best during the slow cook.
    Onion: A large yellow or sweet onion adds natural sweetness to balance the sauce.
    Garlic: Fresh cloves bring depth of flavor that pre-minced cannot match.
    Marinara sauce: Use your favorite jarred or homemade marinara. Look for one with minimal sugar and bold Italian herbs.
    Italian seasoning: A blend of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary ties everything together.
    Red pepper flakes: Optional, but adds a gentle touch of warmth.

How to Make Sausage Peppers and Onions in a Crock Pot

Prep the Veggies and Sausage

Place the sliced red and green bell peppers along with the onion into a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Pour the marinara sauce over the vegetables and stir to coat them well.

Sliced tomatoes, green bell peppers, onions, and seasonings are arranged in a white slow cooker, ready to be cooked.
A white slow cooker filled with chopped green bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and whole garlic cloves, all topped with a layer of red sauce.

Cook Veggies

Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours, stirring once or twice during cooking so the sauce and seasoning mix evenly.

Pro Tip: Let the vegetables start cooking first so they become tender and release flavor into the sauce before the sausage is added.

A white slow cooker filled with sliced green and red bell peppers, onions, and chunks of tomato in a red sauce, viewed from above on a white background.

Brown the Sausages

While the peppers and onions cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Place the Italian sweet sausages in the pan and sear them until golden brown on all sides. This step adds flavor and gives the sausages a nice color that looks beautiful when served.

Pro Tip: Use tongs to turn the sausages gently as they brown so they do not split. The butter gives a rich, golden crust that adds great flavor.

Five raw sausages cooking in a cast iron skillet with bubbling butter, on a stovetop.
Five browned sausages cooking in a cast iron skillet with bubbling oil on a stovetop.

Slow Cook the Sausage and Peppers

Once browned, transfer the sausages to the slow cooker on top of the peppers and onions. Cover the slow cooker again and continue cooking on low heat for 4 more hours. The sausages will finish cooking through, and the vegetables will become soft and flavorful in the marinara sauce. Stir gently once or twice during the final cooking time to be sure everything stays coated in sauce.

Pro Tip: If the sauce thickens too much, add a few tablespoons of water or broth near the end of cooking.

A white slow cooker filled with sliced green and red bell peppers, onions, and chunks of tomato in a red sauce, viewed from above on a white background.

Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips

Dietary Modifications

Use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version. Choose a low-sodium marinara if you are watching salt.

Flavor Enhancements

Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste or add fresh basil and grated Parmesan just before serving for extra richness.

Add-In Options

Add mushrooms, zucchini, or diced tomatoes for extra vegetables. A splash of balsamic vinegar gives the sauce a lovely tang.

Simple Substitutions

No marinara? Use crushed tomatoes with a teaspoon of Italian seasoning. You can also swap red onion for yellow or sweet onion.

Tips for Recipe Success

Keep the lid closed during cooking. Every time it is lifted, heat escapes and adds about twenty minutes to the total cook time.

Can I put raw sausage in the crock pot?

Yes, you can. The sausages will cook fully in the sauce and become tender. Browning first adds extra flavor but is not required.

What can I serve with sausage and peppers?

Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, or pile them into toasted hoagie rolls for an easy sausage and peppers sandwich.

How do I keep the sauce from getting watery?

Use fresh peppers, not frozen, and do not overfill the crock pot. If excess liquid forms, remove the lid for the last thirty minutes of cooking.

A white plate with cooked sausages, bell peppers, and onions in tomato sauce sits on a green checkered cloth, with a crockpot and fresh vegetables in the background.

Hospitality Challenge

Set your slow cooker on in the morning and invite a neighbor or coworker you do not know well to drop by for a simple midweek “sausage and peppers bar.” Lay out hoagie rolls, a pot of pasta, and a few easy toppings like shredded Parmesan, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes. As you serve, ask how you can pray for them, and share a brief word of your own hope in Christ. Send them home with a small container of leftovers and a handwritten note that includes a Bible verse.

If hosting feels daunting, remember that God delights in ordinary faithfulness. Pray together at the table, keep conversation gentle and genuine, and let the aroma from the crock pot speak of care that has been simmering all day. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9, ESV).

More Hearty Crock Pot Dinners

This easy sausage peppers and onions in a crock pot recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or effortless hosting. It is hearty, flavorful, and practically cooks itself. If you have any questions about making this recipe, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!

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A rectangular white plate holds sliced sausages, onions, and bell peppers cooked in a red sauce. An onion, a red bell pepper, and a slow cooker are in the background on a green checkered cloth.
by Gina Dickson

Sausage Peppers and Onions In A Crock Pot Dinner

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 5
This sausage peppers and onions in a crock pot recipe makes tender Italian sausage slow-cooked with sweet bell peppers and onions in marinara sauce. It is easy to prepare, full of flavor, and perfect for serving over pasta or piled high in sandwiches for family gatherings.

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Ingredients
 

  • 4 red bell peppers, sliced into even sized strips
  • 4 green bell peppers, sliced inot even sized strips
  • 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ¼ cups marinara sauce, jarred or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 38 ounces Italian Sweet Sausages, 2 packages, 19 ounces each

Instructions
 

Prepare the Vegetables

  • Place the sliced red peppers, green peppers, and onion into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
    4 red bell peppers, 4 green bell peppers, 1 large onion
  • Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
    1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pour the marinara sauce over the vegetables and stir to coat.
    1 ¼ cups marinara sauce
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours, stirring once or twice.

Brown the Sausages

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add butter to the pan, then sear the sausages until golden brown on all sides.
    2 tablespoons butter, 38 ounces Italian Sweet Sausages
  • Transfer browned sausages to the slow cooker.

Slow Cook the Sausage and Peppers

  • Cover the slow cooker again and continue cooking on low heat for 4 more hours.

Serve

  • Serve the sausage and peppers on hot dog buns for sandwiches. For sliced sausage, slice into rounds, and return them to the slow cooker before serving. Spoon over pasta, mashed potatos or rice for a hearty meal.

Gina’s Notes and Tips

Storage and Reheating

Room Temperature: Let leftovers cool no more than two hours before refrigerating.
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to four days.
Freezer: You can freeze leftover sausage and peppers. Portion into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to three months.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or in the microwave until hot, adding a splash of sauce or broth to loosen it if needed.

Equipment

Crock Pot
Slow Cooker Liners
Serving: 1g, Calories: 454kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 126mg, Sodium: 2567mg, Potassium: 1032mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 4067IU, Vitamin C: 270mg, Calcium: 94mg, Iron: 22mg
Course: Main Course
Author: Gina Dickson
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A rectangular white plate filled with cooked sausage, red peppers, and onions sits in front of a slow cooker, with a whole onion and red bell pepper in the background. Text above reads: "Crock Pot Dinner Made Easy: Sausage Peppers and Onions.