Slow Cooker Italian Sausage

Bursting with savory flavors, this Slow Cooker Italian Sausage recipe is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Juicy Italian sausage links, browned to perfection, are slow-simmered with tender bell peppers, onions, and a rich tomato-based sauce infused with garlic, oregano, and basil. This effortless dish takes just 15 minutes to prepare before the slow cooker does all the work, delivering melt-in-your-mouth sausages in a flavorful sauce. Whether served over pasta, rice, or nestled into hoagie rolls, it’s a comforting, hearty meal that’s endlessly versatile. Plus, optional crushed red pepper adds a customizable kick, making it ideal for both mild and spicy palates. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this recipe highlights the ease and deliciousness of slow cooker meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:375 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Italian sausage links (mild or spicy)
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium Yellow onion, sliced
• 28 oz Diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.

Step 2

Brown the Italian sausage links on all sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). They do not need to be cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, sauté the sliced onions and bell peppers for 3-4 minutes until softened slightly. Remove from heat.

Step 4

In the bowl of your slow cooker, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Layer the browned sausage links on top of the tomato mixture in the slow cooker.

Step 6

Add the sautéed peppers and onions on top of the sausages.

Step 7

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until the sausages are fully cooked and tender.

Step 8

Stir gently before serving, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Step 9

Serve hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or in hoagie rolls for a delicious Italian-style sandwich.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1713.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1701.7

Total Fat 124.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 300.0mg	0%
Sodium 4760.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 77.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.0g	0%
Total Sugars 42.2g
Protein 85.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 310.6mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 3774.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.3%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 17.4%