FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

  • Why You Need My Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Sausage And Peppers In The Crock Pot
  • My Recipe Tips
  • Storage & Meal Prep
  • Serving Ideas
  • Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

These slow cooker sausage and peppers are one of my favorite don’t-feel-like-cooking meals. You don’t have to do much prep, and I love the combination of fresh ingredients and Italian flavors with the ease of the Crock Pot. Sausage, peppers, onions, and marinara sauce simmer together for a hands-off, healthy dinner that’s bursting with flavor. Grab your slow cooker and make these Crock Pot sausage and peppers with me!

Why You Need My Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers

Maya in the kitchen. - 1
  • Juicy, browned sausage – Many versions slice the sausage and skip the browning step, but I prefer to spend the time on quick sear instead of slicing — it locks in flavor! And slow cooking leaves the sausage more juicy than other cooking methods.
  • Classic Italian flavors – The combination of marinara, sausage, peppers, and onions in the slow cooker is so comforting. (If you love this combo, I also use these flavors in my sausage stuffed zucchini and crustless pizza .)
  • 7 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. Doesn’t get much easier than this.
  • Hands-off cooking – Like most of my slow cooker recipes , this one needs just 5-10 minutes of prep, and the Crock Pot does the rest. Perfect for busy days!
Maya's signature. - 2 Juicy, browned slow cooker sausage and peppers. - 3

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my Crock Pot sausage and peppers recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Sausages – I used pork Italian sausage links, but any kind works—sweet Italian, chicken, turkey, kielbasa , or bratwurst. You can even slice up extra for sausage and cabbage , or turn them into a sheet pan meal using a similar recipe I have in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
  • Olive Oil – To brown the sausages. Any cooking oil is fine.
  • Bell Peppers – Slice them into strips, like you would for fajitas . I used a mix of orange, yellow, and red, but green bell pepper works, too.
  • Onion – You can use white, yellow, or red. Slice it into half moons, about the same width as the peppers.
  • Garlic – Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor, but you can use a tablespoon of jarred garlic for convenience.
  • Italian Seasoning – I usually have my 5-minute Italian seasoning blend on hand, but store-bought is just fine. You can also just use dried basil or oregano alone. For a little heat, toss in some red pepper flakes!
  • Marinara Sauce – I love this brand , but it’s a real treat if you’ve got time to make my homemade marinara sauce . You can also make these slow cooker sausage and peppers using crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce.
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Labeled sausage, peppers, onions, marinara sauce, garlic, and seasonings. - 4

How To Make Sausage And Peppers In The Crock Pot

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Brown the sausage. Sear both sides in a large skillet with a little olive oil. (If you prefer, you can air fry the sausages to brown them — just do it for half the time, so they don’t cook all the way through.)
  2. Slice and toss veggies. Place the bell peppers, onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning into your Crock Pot ( I have this one ), and toss together.
Browned sausages in a skillet. - 5 Veggies sliced and tossed in a slow cooker with seasonings. - 6
  1. Add the marinara and sausage. Pour the sauce over the veggies, then nestle the sausages on top.
Pouring marinara sauce over the vegetables. - 7 Sausages in the Crock Pot over the veggies. - 8
  1. Cook sausage and peppers in the slow cooker. They are done when the sausages are cooked through, and the peppers and onions are soft.
Slow cooked sausages and peppers in the Crock Pot. - 9 My Recipe Tips - 10

My Recipe Tips

  • Don’t fully cook the sausages during the browning step. They finish cooking in the slow cooker.
  • Can you skip the browning step? Yes, you can. But I highly recommend doing it because it makes the sausages taste better and only takes a couple of minutes.
  • Don’t slice the peppers and onions too thin. They will turn out mushy if you do. I aim for a bit wider than 1/4 inch.
  • Prefer your veggies more crisp tender? Add them to the Crock Pot in the last hour of cooking instead of in the beginning.
  • Drizzle the sauce over your slow cooked sausage and peppers. It’s very liquid, but adds extra flavor and moisture. So good!
  • Prefer to use your oven? After browning the sausage, just layer everything in a baking dish and bake at 400 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, until the peppers are soft.
  • Want to make it on the stovetop? I recommend my other sausage and peppers recipe that uses just the stove.
  • Want to make it cheesy? Sprinkle shredded cheese (I recommend mozzarella) over the sausage and peppers in the slow cooker at the end. Cover with the lid to let it melt.
Drizzling slow cooker sausage and peppers with sauce. - 11

Storage & Meal Prep

  • Store: Slow cooker sausage and peppers store well, though the veggies do get more mushy. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Meal prep: Slice the vegetables and brown the sausages in advance. Then you can just toss everything in the slow cooker the day-of!
  • Reheat: Use the microwave or a skillet on the stove. You can also reheat sausage and peppers in the Crock Pot on the Low or Warm setting.
  • Freeze: This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Serving Ideas

I’ve often served slow cooker sausage and peppers on their own, or with an Italian-inspired salad, like Caprese salad or romaine with Caesar dressing and parm.

If you want something more hearty, sausage and peppers taste amazing over a bowl of rice, cauliflower rice , or roasted potatoes . You can also make sandwiches with them — just stuff the sausage into a roll that fits your lifestyle, and add the peppers and onions.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
  • 6 medium Pork sausage links ▢
  • 3 large Bell peppers (cut into strips) ▢
  • 1 large Onion (sliced into half moons, the same width as the pepper strips) ▢
  • 6 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
  • 1 1/2 cups Marinara sauce ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the sausage links. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, just until browned on the outside. (They will not be cooked inside.)
  2. Meanwhile, combine the bell peppers, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker . Toss to coat. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the vegetables.
  3. When the sausage links are browned, place them into the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.
  4. Cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High, until the sausages are cooked through.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 sausage link + 3/4 cup vegetables

  • Tips: Check out my recipe tips above if you don’t want to brown the sausages, how to get the right texture in your vegetables, and variations for using your oven or making it cheesy.
  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in the microwave, in a skillet, or back in the slow cooker.
  • Freeze: Up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw before reheating.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers

Slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe pin. - 12

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 13

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 14

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 15

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 16

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 17

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 18

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 19

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 20

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 21

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 22

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow cooker sausage and peppers on a plate with marinara sauce. - 23

Make my easy slow cooker sausage and peppers in the Crock Pot with a flavorful tomato sauce. Just 7 simple ingredients + quick prep!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/slow-cooker-sausage-and-peppers/

Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers - 24 Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers - 25 Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers - 26 Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers - 27

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 6 medium Pork sausage links
  • 3 large Bell peppers (cut into strips)
  • 1 large Onion (sliced into half moons, the same width as the pepper strips)
  • 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups Marinara sauce

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the sausage links. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, just until browned on the outside. (They will not be cooked inside.)
  2. Meanwhile, combine the bell peppers, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker . Toss to coat. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the vegetables.
  3. When the sausage links are browned, place them into the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.
  4. Cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High, until the sausages are cooked through.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 sausage link + 3/4 cup vegetables

  • Tips: Check out my recipe tips above if you don’t want to brown the sausages, how to get the right texture in your vegetables, and variations for using your oven or making it cheesy.
  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in the microwave, in a skillet, or back in the slow cooker.
  • Freeze: Up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw before reheating.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)

FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

  • Why You Need My Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Sausage And Peppers In The Crock Pot
  • My Recipe Tips
  • Storage & Meal Prep
  • Serving Ideas
  • Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

These slow cooker sausage and peppers are one of my favorite don’t-feel-like-cooking meals. You don’t have to do much prep, and I love the combination of fresh ingredients and Italian flavors with the ease of the Crock Pot. Sausage, peppers, onions, and marinara sauce simmer together for a hands-off, healthy dinner that’s bursting with flavor. Grab your slow cooker and make these Crock Pot sausage and peppers with me!

Why You Need My Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers

Maya in the kitchen. - 28
  • Juicy, browned sausage – Many versions slice the sausage and skip the browning step, but I prefer to spend the time on quick sear instead of slicing — it locks in flavor! And slow cooking leaves the sausage more juicy than other cooking methods.
  • Classic Italian flavors – The combination of marinara, sausage, peppers, and onions in the slow cooker is so comforting. (If you love this combo, I also use these flavors in my sausage stuffed zucchini and crustless pizza .)
  • 7 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. Doesn’t get much easier than this.
  • Hands-off cooking – Like most of my slow cooker recipes , this one needs just 5-10 minutes of prep, and the Crock Pot does the rest. Perfect for busy days!
Maya's signature. - 29 Juicy, browned slow cooker sausage and peppers. - 30

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my Crock Pot sausage and peppers recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Sausages – I used pork Italian sausage links, but any kind works—sweet Italian, chicken, turkey, kielbasa , or bratwurst. You can even slice up extra for sausage and cabbage , or turn them into a sheet pan meal using a similar recipe I have in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
  • Olive Oil – To brown the sausages. Any cooking oil is fine.
  • Bell Peppers – Slice them into strips, like you would for fajitas . I used a mix of orange, yellow, and red, but green bell pepper works, too.
  • Onion – You can use white, yellow, or red. Slice it into half moons, about the same width as the peppers.
  • Garlic – Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor, but you can use a tablespoon of jarred garlic for convenience.
  • Italian Seasoning – I usually have my 5-minute Italian seasoning blend on hand, but store-bought is just fine. You can also just use dried basil or oregano alone. For a little heat, toss in some red pepper flakes!
  • Marinara Sauce – I love this brand , but it’s a real treat if you’ve got time to make my homemade marinara sauce . You can also make these slow cooker sausage and peppers using crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce.
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Labeled sausage, peppers, onions, marinara sauce, garlic, and seasonings. - 31

How To Make Sausage And Peppers In The Crock Pot

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Brown the sausage. Sear both sides in a large skillet with a little olive oil. (If you prefer, you can air fry the sausages to brown them — just do it for half the time, so they don’t cook all the way through.)
  2. Slice and toss veggies. Place the bell peppers, onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning into your Crock Pot ( I have this one ), and toss together.
Browned sausages in a skillet. - 32 Veggies sliced and tossed in a slow cooker with seasonings. - 33
  1. Add the marinara and sausage. Pour the sauce over the veggies, then nestle the sausages on top.
Pouring marinara sauce over the vegetables. - 34 Sausages in the Crock Pot over the veggies. - 35
  1. Cook sausage and peppers in the slow cooker. They are done when the sausages are cooked through, and the peppers and onions are soft.
Slow cooked sausages and peppers in the Crock Pot. - 36 My Recipe Tips - 37

My Recipe Tips

  • Don’t fully cook the sausages during the browning step. They finish cooking in the slow cooker.
  • Can you skip the browning step? Yes, you can. But I highly recommend doing it because it makes the sausages taste better and only takes a couple of minutes.
  • Don’t slice the peppers and onions too thin. They will turn out mushy if you do. I aim for a bit wider than 1/4 inch.
  • Prefer your veggies more crisp tender? Add them to the Crock Pot in the last hour of cooking instead of in the beginning.
  • Drizzle the sauce over your slow cooked sausage and peppers. It’s very liquid, but adds extra flavor and moisture. So good!
  • Prefer to use your oven? After browning the sausage, just layer everything in a baking dish and bake at 400 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, until the peppers are soft.
  • Want to make it on the stovetop? I recommend my other sausage and peppers recipe that uses just the stove.
  • Want to make it cheesy? Sprinkle shredded cheese (I recommend mozzarella) over the sausage and peppers in the slow cooker at the end. Cover with the lid to let it melt.
Drizzling slow cooker sausage and peppers with sauce. - 38

Storage & Meal Prep

  • Store: Slow cooker sausage and peppers store well, though the veggies do get more mushy. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Meal prep: Slice the vegetables and brown the sausages in advance. Then you can just toss everything in the slow cooker the day-of!
  • Reheat: Use the microwave or a skillet on the stove. You can also reheat sausage and peppers in the Crock Pot on the Low or Warm setting.
  • Freeze: This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Serving Ideas

I’ve often served slow cooker sausage and peppers on their own, or with an Italian-inspired salad, like Caprese salad or romaine with Caesar dressing and parm.

If you want something more hearty, sausage and peppers taste amazing over a bowl of rice, cauliflower rice , or roasted potatoes . You can also make sandwiches with them — just stuff the sausage into a roll that fits your lifestyle, and add the peppers and onions.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
  • 6 medium Pork sausage links ▢
  • 3 large Bell peppers (cut into strips) ▢
  • 1 large Onion (sliced into half moons, the same width as the pepper strips) ▢
  • 6 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
  • 1 1/2 cups Marinara sauce ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the sausage links. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, just until browned on the outside. (They will not be cooked inside.)
  2. Meanwhile, combine the bell peppers, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker . Toss to coat. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the vegetables.
  3. When the sausage links are browned, place them into the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.
  4. Cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High, until the sausages are cooked through.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 sausage link + 3/4 cup vegetables

  • Tips: Check out my recipe tips above if you don’t want to brown the sausages, how to get the right texture in your vegetables, and variations for using your oven or making it cheesy.
  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in the microwave, in a skillet, or back in the slow cooker.
  • Freeze: Up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw before reheating.

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I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

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Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers

Slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe pin. - 39