This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe is a tasty mix of Italy and the United States. It features juicy Italian sausages cooked to perfection with bright bell peppers in a flavorful tomato sauce. You can eat it on its own, in a bun, or over pasta.
Cooking sausage in a crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, is a great hands-off way to infuse flavor and make deliciously tender sausages. With the right timing and a few tips and tricks, you can achieve savory, melt-in-your-mouth sausage perfection! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cooking sausage in a crock pot, including how long different types of sausage take and recipes to try. Let’s get started!
Why Cook Sausage in a Crock Pot?
Using a crock pot to cook sausages offers several advantages:
-
Flavor infusion: The low and slow cooking environment allows the sausage to soak up all the flavors from spices, liquids, and other ingredients in the pot. This results in robust, nuanced taste.
-
Tender and juicy: Slow cooking gently breaks down the sausage over time, leading to a tender texture that retains moisture. No more dried out sausage!
-
Hands-off convenience Simply throw in your ingredients and let the crock pot do the work Minimal effort for maximal rewards
-
Versatility: Almost any type of sausage works beautifully in the crock pot. From brats to kielbasa to Italian sausage and more, the possibilities are endless.
How Long Does Sausage Take to Cook in a Crock Pot?
The cooking time for sausage in a crock pot depends on a few factors:
-
Type of sausage: Fresh, uncooked sausage takes longer than pre-cooked sausage that just needs reheating.
-
Size of sausage Mini sausages and sausage links cook faster than a whole sausage ring or roast
-
Meat content Pork sausages generally require less time than beef sausages.
-
Desired doneness: For fully cooked, tender sausage, longer cook times are needed.
Fresh sausage
-
Sausage links or patties: 5-6 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH
-
Sausage ring or roast: 6-8 hours on LOW or 4-6 hours on HIGH
Pre-cooked sausage
-
Sausage links: 3-4 hours on LOW or 1-2 hours on HIGH
-
Sausage ring: 4-6 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH
For the most tender and flavorful results, err on the side of overcooking a bit. There is some flexibility in crock pot cook times.
Tips for Cooking Sausage to Perfection in a Crock Pot
Follow these handy tips for getting the most out of your crock pot sausage:
-
Brown it first: Quickly browning fresh sausage in a skillet before slow cooking improves flavor and appearance.
-
Use a liner: Crock pot liners make cleanup easy. Non-stick spray works too.
-
Layer wisely: Place veggies and aromatics like onions and garlic below sausage to prevent burning.
-
Add some liquid: A bit of broth, beer, or juice keeps things moist. Too much liquid will cause boiling.
-
Shred after cooking: Using two forks, shred larger sausages for pulled sausage dishes.
-
Watch the temperature: Cook on LOW to prevent overcooking. HIGH heat can lead to uneven cooking.
-
Allow standing time: Let sausage rest for 5-10 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
Top Crock Pot Sausage Recipes to Try
The possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking sausage in the crock pot. Here are some delicious recipes to inspire you:
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers – Classic Italian flavors! Cook Italian sausage links with bell peppers, onions, crushed tomatoes, and spices.
Creamy Sausage and Potatoes – Smoked sausage, potatoes, onion, garlic, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth. So comforting!
Sausage and Apple Quinoa – Savory pre-cooked chicken apple sausage with apples, quinoa, chicken stock, and fall spices.
Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup – Healthy, hearty and full of flavor! Includes kale, cannellini beans, chicken broth, and Italian sausage.
Crockpot Cabbage Rolls – Sausage and rice stuffed cabbage rolls simmered in a tomato sauce. Easy and delicious.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole – Eggs, cheese, bread cubes, sausage, veggies, and seasonings cooked overnight for a hearty morning meal.
Sample Crock Pot Sausage Recipe
To give you an idea of how easy crock pot sausage meals can be, here is one of my favorite recipes. You can use different sausage or spice blends to customize to your tastes:
Crockpot Cajun Sausage and Rice
*Andouille sausage links, halved
*Yellow onion, diced
*Red bell pepper, diced
*Long grain white rice
*Chicken stock
*Cajun seasoning
*Dried thyme
- Add rice, onion, bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, and thyme to crock pot. Stir to combine.
- Nestle halved sausage links into rice mixture.
- Pour over enough chicken stock to just cover ingredients.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until sausage is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Serve garnished with scallions and hot sauce if desired. Enjoy!
So simple and packed with flavor! The sausage infuses the rice as it gently cooks to tender perfection.
Get Creative with Crock Pot Sausage
The next time you’re looking for an easy dinner, give crock pot sausage a try. Allowing the proper cook time results in deliciously tender sausage that makes for amazing meals. Get creative with different sausages, spices, veggies and more. Your whole family will be asking for seconds!
k
How To Make Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers
It only takes minutes to prepare this popular Italian-American dish, and it doesn’t take much work to cook it in the crockpot. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Why You’ll Love Crockpot Sausage And Peppers
- Quick and Easy! With just a few ingredients and the help of a slow cooker, you can make a hearty, tasty meal that will satisfy your hunger and wow your family.
- It is an Italian American classic! The combination of juicy Italian sausages, sweet bell peppers, and savory tomato sauce makes for a great taste that’s hard to resist.
- Comfort Food! Sausage and peppers cooked in a slow cooker are great for any event, whether they’re served as a family meal or as a dish that everyone loves at a party. .
- You can use hot or mild Italian sausages for the Italian sausage links, which are the main part of the dish. You can also use turkey sausage if you prefer.
- Bell Peppers: Add a bit of vibrant color and texture. Feel free to use any color peppers you like.
- You can use any onion you have on hand for this dish. I like to use brown onion.
- Garlic: For the strongest flavor, always use garlic that has just been minced.
- Diced tomatoes: These tomatoes make the tomato sauce that covers the sausages.
- Herbs that have been dried: Basil and oregano that have been dried give the dish a subtle herb flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Black Pepper: Adds a dash of mild spice.
- Broth helps make tomato sauce and keeps the dish from getting dry. Based on your taste, you can pick either vegetable broth or low-sodium chicken stock.
- The hoagie rolls are used to serve this tasty creation up.
How to Cook Sausage in the Slow Cooker
FAQ
How do you know when sausage is cooked in a crock pot?
Does sausage have to be cooked before putting in a crock pot?
How long does it take to cook sausage in a crock pot?
In the slow cooker, sausages take 4 to 6 hours to cook on low or 2 to 3 hours to cook on high, depending upon your slow cooker model. Overall, I recommend the low method. The sausages were noticeably more tender. High works if you are in a big hurry, but for the best Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers, patience is key.
How do you cook Italian sausage in a crockpot?
Gather all ingredients. Place Italian sausage links, spaghetti sauce, green pepper, and onion into a slow cooker; mix until well combined. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours. Serve on hoagie rolls. This crockpot sausage recipe is easily made with fresh Italian sausage simmered in the slow cooker with prepared pasta sauce, bell pepper, and onion.
How long do you cook sausage links in a slow cooker?
When the sausage links are browned, place them into the slow cooker on top of the vegetables. Cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High, until the sausages are cooked through. Did You Make My Recipe?
How long do you cook sausage & peppers in a slow cooker?
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours or until the sausages are fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. Serve the sausage and peppers over cooked pasta or in a crusty baguette for a delightful sandwich. Ingredients: