Slow Cooker Italian Sausage

Name: Slow Cooker Italian Sausage
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: 1 pound pork Italian sausage links, (halved ); 2 cups bell pepper, (sliced on the thicker side (any color you'd like)); 2 cups onions (sliced on the thicker side); 1 splash white wine ((optional)); 1/2 cup chicken broth ((only if using Instant Pot)); Hero rolls; Provolone or mozzarella cheese, (sliced)

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This slow cooker Italian sausage recipe is the ultimate easy and delicious way to make some fantastic sausage sandwiches. It’s perfect for busy weeknights — just toss everything into your slow cooker (or Instant Pot) and let it do the work!

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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
How To Make Sausage And Peppers In The Slow Cooker
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips For Making Slow Cooker Sausage Peppers And Onions
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Sausage
Other Tasty Sausage Recipes To Try
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage

An overhead image of a bowl of Italian sausage and peppers with buns and a napkin next to it.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers

It never occurred to me to make an Italian sausage recipe for the crockpot until my sister told me about it. She said it was crazy easy and so good, so naturally, I had to try it. Once I saw how little prep it needed, I knew it’d be a new favorite. Just throw everything in, cover it up, and let the slow cooker do its thing.

The sausage comes out juicy and tender, and the peppers and onions get soft and sweet as they cook down. Everything comes together in one pot, which means fewer dishes to clean up later. There’s almost no prep, and it works equally well on its own or loaded into a toasted roll with melty cheese. Here’s why this slow cooker sausage peppers recipe is a keeper:

Super quick prep
Make it in the slow cooker or Instant Pot
Minimal cleanup
Great for feeding a crowd
Tastes amazing every single time

A sausage on a bun covered in cheese, peppers and onions.

Ingredient Information And Substitutions

Italian sausage links- Classic pork sausage is the go-to, but if you're looking for a lighter option, poultry sausage is an easy and tasty alternative.
Bell peppers- Red peppers are my personal favorite for their sweet flavor, but any variety works well. Just go with your favorite!
Onions- Yellow or white onions are great. Red onions can add a touch of sweetness and color.
White wine- Adds depth of flavor. You can swap in chicken broth if you aren't into cooking with alcohol.
Hero rolls- Choose from hoagies, sub rolls, or even crusty Italian bread.
Cheese- Provolone or mozzarella both melt beautifully and pair perfectly with the sausage and peppers.

An overhead image of labeled recipe ingredients.

How To Make Sausage And Peppers In The Slow Cooker

Step 1- Place veggies into the pot.

Toss your sliced peppers, and onions right into the slow cooker. Feel free to sprinkle a little salt and pepper on the veggies.

Step 2- Add the sausage and wine.

Place the sausage onto top of the veggies and pour the wine over it all.

Step 3- Cover and cook.

Cover the slow cooker and let everything cook on low heat for about 4 hours.

When the time is up, dig in right away or make some sandwiches! Toast your rolls at 350°F for 5 minutes. Pile on the sausage, peppers, and onions, top with cheese, and pop them back in the oven for 5-10 more minutes until the cheese is melty.

The slow cooker covered, cooking the sausage and veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put raw sausage in a slow cooker?

Yep, raw sausage works perfectly here! No need to brown it first — just throw it in and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Can I use precooked sausage?

I wouldn’t recommend it for this recipe. The flavors develop better when raw sausage cooks low and slow, and precooked links may become too tough or dry.

Is this dish spicy?

Totally depends on what you like! Mild Italian sausage keeps it family-friendly, while hot sausage adds a little kick. If you’re into spice, go for the hot one. And if you want spicier veggies, throw some chili flakes in as well!

A close up image of cooked sausage, peppers and onions.

Tips For Making Slow Cooker Sausage Peppers And Onions

Slice the peppers and onions on the thicker side so that they don't cook down to nothing and disappear into the sauce.
Want to prep ahead? Toss all the raw ingredients in a zipper bag and freeze them. Then, thaw in the fridge overnight and dump it in the slow cooker the next day.
I prefer to cut sausage links in half to make them easier to serve and eat, but feel free to leave them whole if that’s your preference.
Stick with low heat for best results. Cooking on high can affect the texture of the sausage, and not in a good way.
Making it in the Instant Pot? Add ½ cup of water or chicken broth, cook on manual high pressure for 20 minutes, and quick-release the pressure. Serve right away!
Ingredients to prep ahead- Slice your peppers and onions and halve the sausage links. Store them in the fridge.

An overhead image of sausage and peppers on buns with cheese.

What To Serve With Slow Cooker Sausage

I like to serve sausages on a hoagie roll or bun with provolone or mozzarella cheese, but you can also eat them with a fork and knife and the sides of your choice! A few great recipes to round out and complete this meal would be:

Other Tasty Sausage Recipes To Try

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