Some suppers are just plain easier. You throw a few basic ingredients in the slow cooker, go about your day, and return to a kitchen that smells like a warm family restaurant. One of the things I love about this recipe 4 Ingredient Sausage and Peppers Slow Cooker This is a hearty meal of juicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers and a rich tomato sauce. And it is very easy to make.
It’s the kind of old-fashioned comfort food that works on busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, or any nite you want something filling without hours at the stove. All you need is 4 ingredients and the slow cooker does most of the work. Spoon the sausage and peppers over pasta or serve with rice for an easy dinner that everyone can enjoy on toasted hoagie rolls.
You’ll love this recipe because:
- Only four ingredients: No need for a long shopping list or a cupboard full of seasonings.
- Simple slow-cooker supper: It takes a few minutes to get it going, but it gets everything going.
- Rich, savory flavor: The sausage releases its juices, the peppers soften in the tomato sauce.
- So many ways to serve. Serve over pasta or with crusty bread or make sandwiches.
- Meal prep: Leftover food is a simple lunch for the next day.
What you will need
- 2 pounds Italian sausage (mild or hot Italian sausage, depending on what your family prefers)
- 3 bell peppers: Use a mix of red, yellow, and green bell peppers for color and sweetness.
- 1 large yellow onion: Sliced into thin strips to cook evenly.
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce: Use your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce to tie it all together.
The four ingredients come together to make a tasty meal with no extra effort. If you like a little heat, hot Italian sausage has lots of kick without any added spices.
How To Make Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables
Wash the bell peppers, remove core and seeds and cut into strips. Peel the onion and slice thinly. Put the peppers and onion in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 2: Add the sausage.
Top the vegetables with the Italian sausages. Serve whole for a traditional presentation or cut into large pieces for easier serving.
Step 3: Pour in the sauce.
Evenly spread the marinara sauce over the sausage, peppers and onion. Spread the sauce out with a spoon so the goods are cooking together nicely. The vegetables will release some moisture as they soften, so don’t add water.
Step 4: Set It and Forget It the Slow Cooker
Cover and cook on LOW 6 to 7 hours or HIGH 3 to 4 hours until vegetables are tender and sausage is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160 degrees F for pork sausage or 165 degrees F for poultry sausage. If you are using thicker sausages, check the temperature with a food thermometer.
For a little more color on the sausages, brown them in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker. This optional step takes a few minutes of prep but will give the final dish a deeper roasted flavor.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
Stir everything gently so the sausage is covered in the rich tomato sauce. Serve hot at once with your favorite side dish or sandwich rolls.
What To Serve With Sausage and Peppers
This recipe is quite easy to adapt to a lot of different dinner plans. Some simple ways to serve:
- Hoagie rolls Stuff toasted rolls with sausage, peppers, onions and sauce for classic sausage and pepper sandwiches.
- Pasta: Spaghetti, penne or rigatoni would all make for a hearty Italian-inspired dinner.
- White Rice: Soak puffy rice in tomato sauce for fast, filling meals.
- Sausage and creamy potatoes mashed make a hearty family supper.
- Green Salad: A crisp salad is a nice counterpoint to the warm, savory flavors.
How to Achieve the Best Results
- Select the right sausage. Mild Italian sausage is a good choice for families that like milder flavors. Hot Italian sausage adds a little more spice.
- Cut vegetables into even slices. Pepper and onion strips of similar size cook more evenly.
- Do not lift the lid too often. Lifting the lid off your slow cooker each time lets heat escape, which can extend cooking time.
- Keep the sauce thick Do not add any extra liquid. Peppers and onions release moisture as they cook and this helps to make a flavorful sauce.
- Time is no measure of doneness. Sausage sizes and slow cookers vary. Use a food thermometer to be sure sausage reaches the proper internal temperature.
Saving and Reheating Leftovers
Cool the sausage and peppers slightly and transfer to an airtight container. Enjoy within 3-4 days Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
Microwave to reheat individual portions. To reheat the entire dish, place in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. Add a small spoonful of water if the sauce is too thick.
To make it even better, you can also freeze the cooked sausage and peppers in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and warm through.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use frozen bell peppers
Yes. Frozen sliced peppers work great in this recipe and are great. Just dump them in the crock pot. They will be softer than the fresh peppers.
You don’t have to brown the sausage first.
No, not at all. Just add the sausage to the slow cooker. Browning is optional, and just adds color and a little extra flavor.
Yes, chicken sausage can be used.
Okay. Chicken sausage is good, but if there is poultry, check the package instructions and cook to 165°F internal temperature.
Can I make this recipe the nite before?
You can prep the vegetables and keep them in a covered container in the fridge. To ensure food safety, it is best to keep raw sausage separate in the fridge and combine just before cooking.
Is this food spicy?
It is contingent upon what sausage and marinara you get. The mild Italian sausage adds a mild, savory flavor. Hot Italian sausage adds heat to the dish.
A simple dinner to keep
The Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Sausage and Peppers is proof that you don’t need a complicated recipe for a satisfying homemade dinner. Juicy sausage, tender peppers, sweet onions and rich marinara sauce equal a comforting meal that fits into even the busiest schedules.
Serve it on its own or make a sandwich out of it, serve with rolls, a pasta dinner, or a hearty family rice meal. This easy slow-cooker favorite might be one you pull out when you need some comfort food but don’t want to do a lot of work.
