This easy crockpot sausage recipe with peppers and onions is pure weeknight dinner magic. It’s made with simple ingredients like Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and fire-roasted tomatoes—and the slow cooker does all the work. It’s cozy, packed with so much flavor, and the perfect comfort food recipe for cold weather or busy weeks when you need an easy dump-and-go kind of meal.
Why You’ll Love It
This crockpot sausage recipe is one of those hearty comfort foods that tastes like it took hours of prep time.
But really, that's SO not the case! You literally just toss everything in the crockpot and let it go.
Whether you're using sweet Italian sausage, spicy Italian sausage, smoked sausage, or even turkey sausage or chicken sausage—this recipe is flexible enough to work with whatever kind of sausage your grocery store has in stock. You could even swap in kielbasa sausage or pork sausage if that’s what your whole family loves.
You do you, babes! The cooking method is so forgiving, and the flavor payoff is huge.
What really makes this dish shine is the combo of tender onions, bell peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Oh, and we can't forget the balsamic vinegar. It's my secret ingredients which adds a slightly sweet, tangy depth that pulls everything together.
And the best part? The sausages soak up all that savory, smoky flavor as they simmer.
This is the kind of recipe that works for everyone. You can pile the sausages and peppers on hot dog buns for a pepper sandwich vibe, serve it over crusty garlic bread, cheesy polenta, or creamy mashed potatoes, or pair it with roasted baby potatoes or red potatoes for a complete meal.
It’s great for a cold day, a quick weeknight dinner, or a no-fuss weekend meal that feeds a crowd.
Plus, it holds up beautifully the next day—just store it in an airtight container and reheat for an easy meal you’ll actually be excited to eat again.
You might even want to make a double batch next time to freeze for later. No judgment here. You know I got your back when it comes to easy dinner ideas!
Let's get to work!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This easy slow cooker recipe comes together with pantry and fridge staples that you can tweak depending on what you’ve got. Here's what you'll need to make this easy recipe that the entire family will devour!
- Sweet Onions: You can also use a yellow onion, red onion or even a mix if that’s what’s on hand.
- Italian Sausage: Any kind of sausage works here—hot Italian sausage, smoked sausage, turkey sausage, or even kielbasa. If using raw sausages, just make sure they’re nestled fully in the sauce to cook evenly. Sliced sausages are also A-ok in this easy sausage and peppers recipe. You don't have to brown them, but the golden brown crispy exterior is also delicious if you have some extra time.
- Bell Peppers: I like a mix of red, orange bell peppers, and yellow bell pepper for sweetness and color. Green peppers also work just fine if you have them!
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes + Crushed Tomatoes with Basil: You can also use marinara sauce or plain tomato sauce, too. You could also add a splash of chicken broth if you want to stretch it but I like mine thick and hearty.
- Garlic: Eight cloves might seem like a lot, but trust me—it mellows beautifully in the crockpot.
- Italian Seasoning + Garlic Powder: Feel free to add black pepper, cajun seasoning, or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Balsamic Vinegar: My secret ingredient! Balances the acidity and brings out all that rich tomato flavor.
- Kosher Salt: The one and only in my opinion when it comes to cooking.
- Optional Additions: Go ahead and add red chili pepper flakes if your family likes it spicy!
How to Make It
This slow cooker sausage recipe is the perfect delicious comfort food for those cold days when you don’t want to stand over the stove. Here's how to make it:
- PREP INGREDIENTS: Thinly slice your onions and bell peppers, peel the garlic cloves, and crush the peeled tomatoes with your hands. No need for perfection... they'll break down as you cook them.
- ADD TO CROCKPOT: Add everything to a large slow cooker: the sliced onions, sausage links, peppers, fire roasted tomatoes, hand-crushed tomatoes, garlic cloves, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and balsamic vinegar. Stir gently to combine.
- COOK ON HIGH: Cover and cook on high heat for 5 hours.
- REMOVE LID & REDUCE: This is optional but after 5 hours, remove the lid and let it cook uncovered for another 1½ hours. This helps the sauce reduce and concentrate, leaving you with a thick, flavorful tomato mixture that clings to every bite. Cook time may vary so just pay attention to if if your crockpot tenders to not get super hot.
- SERVE: Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the sausages, peppers, and onions. Serve over crusty bread, with tender potatoes, or however your heart desires.
- SAVE: Leftovers from this easy dinner can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The extra liquid keeps everything moist, and the flavors deepen overnight, making it one of those easy dinners that gets better the next day.
What to Serve It With
Honestly, I think the perfect way to serve this easy crock pot sausage recipe is either over cheesy polenta or on a sandwich. It's the perfect combination of easy and delicious that you will love during a busy week! Here are a few of my favorite ways to turn this crockpot sausage recipe into a complete delicious meal:
- Crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up all that extra sauce
- Baby potatoes, red potatoes, or hearty potatoes roasted with a little bit of olive oil
- Mashed potatoes or creamy cheesy polenta for a cold weather comfort food vibe
- Steamed fresh green beans or a crisp side salad to balance the richness
- Over cauliflower rice or tucked into ciabatta buns for an Italian Sausage, Onion pepper sandwich moment
And if you like this easy crockpot recipe, try some of these in your regular rotation!
- Cheesy French Onion Crockpot Potatoes
- One Pot Brown Butter Orzo with Butternut Squash
- 30 Minute Sheet Pan Sausage with Veggies and Gnocchi
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Tuscan Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup
Recipe
CrockPot Sausage Recipe with Peppers & Onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large Sweet Onions thinly sliced
- 1 19 oz Package Italian Sausage (mild or hot)
- 3 large Bell Peppers thinly sliced
- 1 14.5 oz Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- 1 28 oz Can Whole Peeled Tomatoes with Basil hand crushed
- 8 cloves Garlic ends removed
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
Instructions
- Add the sliced onions, Italian sausage, bell peppers, fire roasted tomatoes, crushed peeled tomatoes, garlic cloves, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and balsamic vinegar to a crockpot.
- Stir everything to combine, making sure the sausages are nestled in the sauce and surrounded by the vegetables.
- Cover and cook on high for 5 hours, or until the sausages are fully cooked and tender and the peppers and onions are soft.
- OPTIONAL: Remove the lid and continue cooking uncovered for 1½ hours to reduce and thicken the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
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