I’ve told you before that my Aunt Mary is an incredible Italian cook. 99% of my extended family is from Ohio, so twice a year we’d pack up our maroon Aerostar with 2 adults, 3 kids, 5 pieces of luggage, and a cockapoo to visit everyone, and one of our favorite stops was Aunt Mary’s. She’d have a platter of Italian cookies waiting for us on the table, plus a vat of sausage and peppers bubbling in her homemade sauce on the stove. She’s been making them for as long as I remember, and the recipe was passed down from her mother, Rose, and likely Rose’s mother too!
I recently had a craving for Aunt Mary’s sausage and peppers that just wouldn’t quit then remembered once upon a time my Mom wrote down the recipe, so I took a look, and turns out, it is perfect for the crock pot! Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers is browned Italian sausages layered in a crock pot with seared onions, peppers, garlic, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes, then cooked low and slow all day long – until the sausages are nearly fall-apart tender and the sauce is like silk. I’m telling you, there is absolutely nothing better than the taste of this mouthwatering Italian dish!
Tips for Making Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers:
- Technically you don’t need to brown the sausages before placing in the crock pot, but the caramelization gives the dish a delicious depth of flavor. Plus Aunt Mary always did it so we should too.
- This recipe freezes beautifully! Aunt Mary always sent us home with tupperwares full of sausage and peppers that we would freeze and ration out bit by bit to savor in between visits. To freeze, cool the sausage and peppers completely then transfer into Ziplock freezer bags and freeze flat. Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in a pot on the stove over low.
- We used to stuff Aunt Mary’s sausages into hard rolls smothered with sauce, but I now I serve my sausage and peppers on top of gluten-free pasta. Rolls, pasta, on a fork straight outta the crock pot – it’s not going to matter how you eat the sausages and peppers – just that you do!
How to Make this Recipe:
Start with 3lbs Sweet Italian Sausages. Sweet sausages aren’t actually sweet, rather they’re mild compared to the spiciness of hot Italian sausages. I used Johnsonville because they’re gluten-free, and delicious, but if you can find locally-made sausage that’s gluten-free (if you need it,) that’s going to give you the most authentic-tasting results.
Slice the sausages in half, or into thirds if they’re really long.
Next, brown the sausages in two or three batches, for 1-2 minutes on all four sides, or until golden brown. The sausages don’t need to be cooked through, just have a nice golden brown glow.
Transfer the sausages to a 6-quart crock pot.
In the fat leftover from the sausages add 2 sliced yellow onions, season with salt and pepper, then saute until they begin to soften and turn golden brown. Then, scoop them on top of the sausages in the crock pot.
Next add 2 large or 3 small sliced bell peppers (the color combo is up to you) then season with salt and pepper and saute until the peppers are crisp tender. Add 4 cloves minced garlic then saute for another minute, and then add the mixture on top of the onions in the crock pot.
Next add 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (optional) plus a 28oz can tomato sauce, 28oz can crushed tomatoes, and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Mix everything up then cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the sausages are very tender.
I MEAN. You HAVE to taste this!!
Saucy, so much flavor, yet incredibly simple, this is a recipe you will make again and again and again. It’s a huge crowd pleaser and, as my Aunt Mary knows, is great when company is coming over. People can eat whenever and however much they want, then keep coming back for more (which they definitely will.) Enjoy!
Similar Recipes:
- Loaded Italian Sausages >
- Italian Sausage and Pepper Ring Mini Meatloaves >
- Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Parmesan-Garlic Cauliflower Rice >
- One Pan Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta >
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Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Description
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers are perfect for game day, a cozy supper at home, or any night you’re craving an Italian feast! Serve over pasta, or with provolone and crusty rolls.
Ingredients
- 3lbs gluten-free Sweet Italian Sausage links, cut in half, or thirds if large (I used Johnsonville brand)
- salt and pepper
- 2 yellow onions, cut in half then sliced
- 3 small or 2 large green bell peppers, sliced (can mix different colors if you like!)
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon (or more) red chili pepper flakes
- 28oz can gluten-free tomato sauce
- 28oz can gluten-free crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup gluten-free chicken broth
Directions
- Drizzle a small amount of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium/medium-high heat (6/10 on the heat scale.) Add half or a third of the sausages (depending on how big your skillet is,) then brown for a minute or two on all four sides, or until golden brown, then transfer to a 6-quart crock pot (sausage does not need to be cooked all the way through.) Repeat with remaining sausage then add to crock pot.
- Turn heat up to medium-high then add onions to skillet, season with salt and pepper, then saute until just beginning to become tender, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to the crock pot.
- Add bell peppers to skillet, season with salt and pepper, then saute until crisp tender, 4-5 minutes, adding a drizzle more oil if necessary to keep peppers from burning. Add garlic then saute for 1 more minute, and then transfer peppers and garlic to crock pot.
- Add red chili pepper flakes, a little pit of salt and pepper, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth to crock pot then cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until sausages are very tender. Serve over pasta or inside rolls with provolone cheese on top.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I always remember my Italian relatives making sausage and peppers without the red sauce. I am a red sauce person though so I am loving this version even more! I would eat this all week happily.
No Italian relatives here. I think I”m German, Dutch, a bit of everything. But I sure eat like an hearty Italian (all my neighbors are wonderful Italians, and who would miss Italian Fest?!?) This looks AWESOME. Such a manly dish. Yummy.
YUM! My husband’s family is Italian, and they will ABSOLUTELY love this. Putting it on our Thanksgiving weekend menu, for sure!
My husband’s Italian grandmother gave us a sausage and peppers recipe! Since we are in Texas and tacos reign supreme, we eat this with tortillas! Yummy, yummy. I’ll have to put this on the menu for next week!
Also, I just want to say, we made the Mongolian Beef Noodles and LOVED them. Thank you for the recipe!
Awesome – so glad you enjoyed! I seriously make that dish weekly – love it!
Making these for sure and thanks! Love your recipes! I have a question though: are you removing the casings from the sausage before browning? In the picture it looks as though the casings have been left on, as the ends of the sausage look a little “poofed” at the ends. My mom’s life companion was from Sicily and an excellent cook and I became an instant devotee of his grilled Italian sausage——he left the casings on is why I’m asking!
Yep the casings are left on (and you get that signature “poof” on the end!) :)
Thanks! Will be making these sausages very soon!
I make a very similar recipe, cook the Italian sausage, cut into bite size pieces, then cover with uncooked peppers and onions, 2 t. minced garlic, 2 tsp of Italian seasoning. tomato sauce & diced tomatoes. cook for 6 hours on low and serve over mezzi rigatoni. top 5 favorite family recipes.
My mouth is watering….reminds me of the Italian Sausage sandwiches we used to get at the Indiana State Fair. Your photos are the greatest! Can the sausage be left whole as I think it might be easier to eat on a bun that way.
I think they could – they might just need a little extra time in the crock pot!
So funny! My hubby and I just had sausage and peppers from the slow cooker last night!
This looks amazing! My mouth is seriously watering.
I’ve been totally relying on crock pot meals lately, since I generally have a few minutes to throw ingredients together in the morning, but have had zero time in the evenings to fix a meal. So excited to have another recipe to try out! I will definitely be making this for dinner later this week.
I love sausage and peppers but I’ve never tried it in the crockpot. Do the peppers get mushy?
They’re definitely tender but I wouldn’t call them mushy. You could also slice them a bit thicker if you want them to retain a more firm shape/texture!
This looks delicious. I love sausage and peppers! Making them in the crock pot sounds so easy!
Woo Hoo!! I got a blog mention ;) So good catching up, can’t wait for all of the festivities!
Hi,
I’m wondering if you know if the sweet Italian sausages are actually sweet? As in when you cook ham + pineapple, you get that sweet flavor — which I must admit, I don’t really enjoy. More specifically, I was wondering how the recipe might turn out if I used non-sweet Italian sausage? I don’t necessarily need the spicy ones, but I am curious if you have any comments on my train of thought here? :) I’d like to try the dish, but I don’t want it to be horrible if I use a different sausage.
THANKS!! :)
Hi Nicole! I mentioned this in the post but it might have gotten buried. Sweet Italian Sausages aren’t actually sweet, the name just indicates that they’re mild in spice vs Spicy Italian Sausage. I hope that helps! :)
Oh gosh! I read this at work so I skimmed… thanks for sending me a reply even though the answer was already within the post! :) I’m sure this happens to you all the time! THANKS :)
No worries! :)
This sounds and looks delicious! And I love the story. Brings back memories of visiting our family 8 hours away when we were little. I’m trying to do more with the crock pot, so this will have to get made! Thanks.
I am proudly an italian american and I have never made sausage and peppers! I love the idea of using the crockpot. I’m adding this to my “to-make” list.
Thanks! Will be making these sausages very soon!
Already pinned. This looks amazing!
Loving all the crockpot posts!!!!!
I tried this recipe last night and it was a HUGE hit! I was trying to use what I already had rather than hitting the store, so I used chorizo sausages (and did remove the casings). I made some rolls I had in the freezer and cooked some penne pasta. Both the guys admitted to eating too much and said I could make that again (with the chorizo!). I also had a new container of the semi-soft goat cheese in crumbles and we put that on top. Fabulous!
YUM! Love the Chorizo swap!
I saw this recipe and wanted to make it, but had no desire to head to the store for sausages. Instead, I used 1 lb ground pork, 1 lb ground sweet sausage, and 1 lb gound medium sausage. It was fabulous on sandwiches and the next day I took the remaining mixture and turned it into lasagna. Such a winner we will definitely be adding it to the favorites rotation for crockpot meals. Thank you!
So glad to hear, Katy, love the improvisation, too!
I made this for dinner tonight and had to tell you it is FANTASTIC. My whole family loved it! And it smelled so good while cooking. Thanks for a fabulous recipe!
I’m so glad to hear it, Beth, thanks for the great feedback!
The flavor of this was fantastic. I added some oregano and basil so not sure how much that would change things but it had just the right amount of spice and flavor. In fact, my husband said it was the best I’ve made and we’re going to be making it again for our son’s birthday party. That being said, I thought the sauce was a bit too thin for my liking so I wouldn’t add any broth next time. Admittedly, I used a can of whole peeled tomatoes that I crushed by hand instead of the crushed tomatoes since that’s what I had so that might have been the culprit. Either way, I can’t wait for leftovers tonight! I really could just eat the sauce with a loaf of bread. :)
Could you freeze this up to the point of putting it into the slow cooker?
Hi Kathy! I haven’t tried, but you probably could!
Hi! Do you think think this could be made with turkey or chicken sausage and removing the casing??
Thanks!
Hi Lauren! I haven’t tried, but it could work!
Just made this tonight and wow easy and so delicious. It’s going in my favorites file to be made again!
I am going to make this for a office party next week, as this looks amazing!! Using my crockpot, can I add pasta and heat all together the following day. Im thinking to make pasta separate, but would I need to adjust liquids?
Hi Barbara! I’m really not sure about cooking the pasta in the crock pot as far as timing and how much liquid you’d need to add since I haven’t tested it. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help!
One thing you could do since it’s an office party is bring in buns so everyone can eat them like sandwiches, if you don’t need to eat gluten-free!
Oh man, I made this dish last night along with some freshly baked Italian-style dinner rolls. Possibly the best sausage and peppers I have ever tasted in my life, and I’ve tried a lot! I will definitely be making this again in the future — so, so good!
Ahh, that is so cool to hear, Rob! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Hi, Kristin! Stumbled upon your blog through a friend, and am so excited about your crockpot recipes. I can’t cook to save my life, so I’m trying to give it a shot with something that seems simpler! The problem is that I only have a 4 quart crockpot — any ideas on whether this recipe would still work out, or if I should just reduce the ingredients? Thanks so much! :)
Hi Natalie! This recipe fills a 6 quart CP nearly to the top, so I’d halve it for your 4 quart!
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Hey there! Trying to mke this without having to go to the store! Can i sun beef broth instead of the chicken?
Sure!
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Could this recipe be used with potatoes, but without tomato sauce? Thanks
I would try it that way as well.
Going to try this on Sunday. Thank you for the recipe.
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Could I combine the Italian sausages and peppers with a Mississippi mud roast all in a crockpot together?…..sounds delicious to me.
in hubbard ohio at truck world, they have a sausage sandwich that is very good and similar to this, i have tried to copycat it but used hot dog buns instead of hoagie buns but that recipe sounds good and will try it again and get the right buns or rolls for the sausage
[…] This crock pot sausage and peppers recipe from Iowa Girl Eats makes for a mouthwatering dinner that you’ll want to cook […]
So very good
Have you frozen and then crock pot cooked this before? I’m preparing meals to have when my baby gets here and I’m wondering if I do all the browning then bag and freeze everything, then thaw and throw in the Crock-Pot if it will turn out. What do you think?
I’d slow cook everything then freeze. When you want to eat, thaw in the fridge then reheat on the stovetop. Congratulations!! :)
[…] first recipe is Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers by Iowa Girl Eats (click for recipe). Oh. My. Gosh. We’ve made this recipe twice, I’ve RAVED about it […]
This is so good! I’ve made this a couple times, once I served it over pasta and once on buns with a slice a provolone. Both are yummy, but we prefer to eat it on buns. I can’t wait to try the Instant Pot version next time.
Looks great. Can I cook this on high for 2-3 hours instead?
I’m sure that would be fine!
Croc-pot started and I cant wait to sit down with the family later to enjoy it. Will let you know how it turns out!. Thanks for a great recipe!
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[…] It rained nonstop here but I wasn’t complaining. We went for a few long drives, slow cooked Sausage and Peppers, drank a little wine (obsessed with Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc at the moment!) watched football, […]
I’ve made this multiple times now, and really love it. But my favorite thing about this post is the picture of your son and husband playing – so joyful and heartwarming!
Aww! I love it too. ;) Thanks for the sweet note, Joanna.
I prepped this recipe last night and cooked it today in the crockpot while at work. It is very good and the sausages are like butter ;-). I think next time I will omit or cut the amount of the chicken broth, just a personal preference for a thicker sauce. Thanks for posting!
This is my favorite recipe for sausage and peppers! It’s simple but tasty, and my go-to for parties or Sunday dinners.