This easy Slow Cooker Sausage, Peppers and Onions recipe makes weeknight dinners effortless! Juicy Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, and onions slow-cook together without sauce for a hearty, flavorful slow cooker dinner the whole family will love.
This classic slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe is simple, filling, and perfect for busy nights. Serve it on sandwiches, over pasta or rice, or enjoy it as an easy plated dinner. Since this version is made without sauce, the sausage, peppers, and onions cook low and slow in their natural juices for incredible flavor. If you prefer a saucier Italian-style version, you can always add marinara sauce near the end of cooking. Pair it with air fryer frozen crispy fries, crispy air fried onion rings, or Parmesan roasted brussel sprouts to make it a complete, crowd-pleasing meal!
Quick Look: Slow Cooker Sausage, Peppers and Onions
- ⏱ Prep Time: 10 mins
- 🔥 Cook Time: 6 hrs (LOW) / 4 hrs (HIGH)
- 🕒 Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
- 👨👩👧👦 Servings: 6
- 🥗 Calories: 294 kcal
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
- 🍅 Made Without Tomato Sauce
- 🍝 How to Serve: Over Amish Buttered Noodles, Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, or in Hoagie Rolls
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy slow cooker dinner: Just toss everything into the crockpot for a hearty, hands-off meal.
- Made without sauce: The sausage, peppers, and onions cook in their natural juices for incredible flavor.
- Great for serving different ways: Pile it onto hoagie rolls, serve over pasta or rice, or enjoy it on its own.
- Easy to customize: Use mild, sweet, or spicy Italian sausage and add your favorite veggies or toppings.
Ingredient Notes
See the printable recipe card below for the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions.
- Onions: White and red onions add sweetness and flavor as they slow cook with the sausage and peppers.
- Bell Peppers: Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers bring color and natural sweetness. Green bell peppers work great too.
- Italian Sausage: Mild, sweet, or spicy Italian sausage links all work well in this slow cooker recipe.
- French Bread or Hoagie Rolls: Optional, but perfect for serving sausage and peppers sandwiches.
Variations & Substitutions
- Extra veggies: Mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, or green bell peppers all work great in this slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe.
- Spice it up: Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Switch up the sausage: Mild, sweet, spicy, chicken, or turkey sausage all work well.
- Make sandwiches: Add mozzarella or provolone cheese and serve on toasted hoagie rolls.
- Want a saucier version? Stir in 1-1½ cups marinara sauce near the end of cooking.
💡 Tip: If adding sauce, leave the lid slightly ajar for the last 20-30 minutes to help thicken the sauce.
How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage, Peppers and Onions
Step 1. Slice the Italian sausage into chunks and brown in a skillet over medium-high heat for extra flavor.
Step 2. Add the sliced peppers and onions to the bottom of the crockpot and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place the browned sausage on top.
Step 3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for about 4 hours, or until the peppers and onions are tender.
Step 4. Serve and enjoy on toasted hoagie rolls, hot dog buns, over pasta or rice, with mashed potatoes, or just enjoy it on its own!
Tips for Success
- Browning the sausage first adds extra flavor and helps give the sausage a better texture.
- Slice the peppers and onions evenly so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Want softer peppers? Cook a little longer on LOW for extra tender veggies.
- Serving on hoagie rolls? Toast them first so they hold up better with the juices.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! This version is made without sauce so the sausage, peppers, and onions can cook low and slow in their natural juices for lots of flavor. If you prefer a saucier version, you can always add marinara sauce near the end of cooking.
Yes, you can add raw sausage directly to the slow cooker, but browning it first adds extra flavor and texture.
This recipe is delicious served on toasted hoagie rolls, over pasta or rice, with mashed potatoes, or alongside a simple salad or roasted veggies.
Absolutely! Leftovers reheat really well, making this a great meal prep option for busy weeknights.
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Slow Cooker Sausage, Peppers and Onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 white onion sliced
- 1 red onion sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
- 1 orange bell pepper sliced
- salt/pepper to taste
- 1 lb Italian sausage mild, hot, or sweet, cut into chunks
- French bread or Hoagie rolls optional (for sandwiches)
Instructions
- Brown sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown sausage chunks on both sides.
- Prep veggies: Place sliced onions and bell peppers at the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Layer & cook: Add browned sausage on top of the peppers and onions. Cover and cook on LOW 6-7 hrs or HIGH 4 hrs.
- Serve & enjoy: Serve hot over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or in hoagie rolls for sandwiches.
Notes
- For extra flavor and texture, always brown your sausage before adding it to the crockpot, even if it's pre-cooked.
- Customize with extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots.
- For a saucier version, add marinara sauce or top sandwiches with mozzarella or provolone cheese for an Italian-inspired twist.
- Perfect for meal prep as leftovers store and reheat well!
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
- Freeze: Place cooled sausage and peppers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Reheat: Microwave or warm on stovetop until heated through.
Nutrition
Blair says
Hello- can you use an insta-pot for this recipe? Thank you!
Kristin says
Absolutely! I would do about 20 minutes on pressure cook, followed by a quick release! Enjoy!
Coty Pacino says
Is any liquid added to crock pot before adding vegetables
Kristin says
Nope, you’ll everything as written and as it cooks, juices release from the meat and are perfect! If you notice your slow cooker cooks a bit hot, you can add in some beef or chicken broth, about 1/4 cup. Enjoy!
DONALD ANDREWS says
I can do this in 10 minutes
Kristin says
It’s a great option for those that work all day and need something to be ready when they get home! Enjoy!
Lisa D Letto says
Am trying for a party next week. It is a rare recipe without a sauce, that I was searching for
Kristin says
Yay!! Hope you love as much as we do!
Bella says
Best and quickest sausage & peppers recipe – tastes just like the sausage & peppers from my favorite hot dog joint!
Thanks Kristin!
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe as much as my family does!!
Scott says
Stop lying about prep time. Unless you’re a professional chef, you’re not going to cut up three peppers, two onions, and the sausage in 10 minutes. Every recipe on these sites lies about prep time.
Kristin says
I can understand your point, but I typically use a chopper, so the peppers and onions get chopped in under 5 minutes leaving just the sausage for the other five minutes. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Michele Sulikowski says
Kristen, I cut, sliced, de-seeded my 6 peppers and sliced one large onion in under 11 minutes. Regardless of the amount of time it takes to chop your vegetables it Doesn’t change the fact that this is a fantastic recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Michele
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad to hear you enjoyed!!
Arlene Melson says
Oh I am loving these recipes!!!
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad to hear that! Let me know which ones you try and how they turn out!