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Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers Recipe

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4.1 from 5 reviews

This Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers recipe is a flavorful and easy slow-cooked meal featuring Italian sweet sausages simmered with colorful bell peppers, onions, and marinara sauce. Perfect as a hearty main dish served on sub rolls or cooked pasta, this comforting crock pot recipe requires minimal prep and results in tender sausages and savory vegetables bursting with classic Italian flavors.

Ingredients

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 4 red peppers, sliced
  • 4 green peppers, sliced
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 Tablespoon garlic powder

Sauce and Butter

  • 1 ¼ cups marinara sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter

Meat

  • 2 (19 ounce) packages Johnsonville Italian Sweet Sausages

Serving Suggestions

  • Hot dog buns or cooked pasta, to serve

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables: Add the sliced red and green peppers along with the sliced large onion into a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, preferably wide or oval shaped for even cooking.
  2. Season Veggies: Season the peppers and onions with salt and pepper to taste, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder. This layers classic Italian flavors into the dish.
  3. Add Sauce and Start Cooking: Pour 1 ¼ cups marinara sauce over the vegetables, then stir well to coat. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  4. Brown Sausages: While the vegetables soften, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons salted butter. Sear the Italian sweet sausages on all sides until golden brown; this step adds texture and flavor but can be skipped if desired.
  5. Add Sausages to Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned sausages to the slow cooker on top of the cooked peppers and onions. Cover and cook on low for an additional 4 hours, stirring gently every hour or so. Be careful not to break up the sausages as they become tender.
  6. Slice if Desired: When cooking is complete, you can remove the sausages, slice them, and then return the slices back into the crock pot mixture.
  7. Serve: Serve the sausage and pepper mixture hot, either on its own, over cooked pasta, or nestled inside sub or hot dog buns for a delicious sandwich option.

Notes

  • You can skip browning the sausages for a simpler preparation, but searing adds extra depth of flavor.
  • Use a wide slow cooker for better heat distribution and to avoid overcrowding.
  • Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent sticking and to combine flavors but handle the sausages gently to keep them intact.
  • Serve with hot dog buns for a classic sausage and pepper sandwich or over cooked pasta for a hearty meal.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/crock-pot-sausage-and-peppers-recipe/