Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers Sandwiches
These Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers Sandwiches are an easy, hearty dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or feeding a crowd. Italian sausages are slow cooked in a rich tomato sauce with sweet onions and colorful bell peppers until everything is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Serve the sausages piled high on toasted buns with plenty of saucy peppers and onions for an easy dinner everyone will love!
A giant crock pot full of saucy sausages, peppers and onions immediately reminds me of tailgate parties and Sunday football. Turn the crock pot to warm, lay some toasted buns on the counter beside the crock pot along with some good potato chips and everyone can serve themselves. I can’t think of anything better!
Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
There’s a reason sausage and peppers is such a classic combination. The savory Italian sausage, sweet peppers, onions, and tomato sauce work so well together—and the slow cooker makes the whole meal incredibly easy.
- Easy to make: After a little prep, the Crock Pot does the work.
- Great for a crowd: This recipe makes 10 hearty sandwiches.
- Perfect for game day: Keep the sausages warm in the slow cooker and let everyone make their own sandwich.
- Sweet or spicy: Use sweet Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or a combination.
- Make-ahead friendly: The sausage and peppers taste even better after the flavors have had time to mingle.
- No complicated ingredients: Most of the ingredients are pantry and refrigerator staples.
Ingredients
Crock Pot
6 quart size or larger. I’m using this programmable 7 quart Crock Pot. I’m also using my favorite Our Place Always 2.0 Skillet to sear the sausages.
Italian Sausage
I use 10 Italian sausage links for this recipe. You can use sweet Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or a combination of both.
Searing the sausages before adding them to the slow cooker gives them a beautiful golden-brown exterior and adds extra flavor to the finished dish. Searing can be skipped, but if you have the extra minute, I highly recommend this step.
Bell Peppers
Use two large bell peppers in any color you like. Red, yellow, orange, and green peppers all work well.
For a sweeter sausage and peppers sandwich, use red, yellow, or orange peppers. Green bell peppers will give the dish a more traditional, slightly savory flavor.
Onion
A large yellow onion is my favorite, but white or sweet onions work too. Slice the onion fairly thin so it becomes tender during slow cooking. Love onions? Add another one! (or 2!)
Tomato Sauce
A combination of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste creates a rich, flavorful sauce that coats the sausages, peppers, and onions.
Seasonings
Balsamic vinegar adds a little acidity and sweetness, while fennel seeds give the sauce that classic Italian sausage flavor. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper round everything out.
How to Make Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
1. Sear the sausages
Pour the olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
Add the Italian sausage links and sear for a couple of minutes on each side, until they are golden brown on the outside.
The sausages don’t need to be cooked through at this point. We’re just looking to brown the outside and add flavor.
Transfer the sausages to the Crock Pot.
2. Sauté the onions
Add the sliced onions to the same skillet and cook over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
If the pan is dry, add a little more olive oil.
You don’t need to completely caramelize the onions. A quick sauté is all they need before going into the slow cooker.
3. Add the peppers
Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the Crock Pot, placing them around and over the sausages.
4. Make the sauce
Pour the crushed tomatoes over everything.
Add the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, fennel seeds, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Give the mixture a gentle stir, making sure the sausages are nestled into the sauce and vegetables.
5. Slow cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW for 6 hours
or
HIGH for 3 hours
The sausages should be cooked through and the peppers and onions should be tender.
6. Make the sandwiches
Toast your favorite sandwich buns.
Place a sausage on each bun and pile on plenty of the saucy onions and peppers.
Serve immediately!
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Tips for the Best Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Don’t skip the searing step. While you can technically put the sausages straight into the slow cooker, quickly browning them first adds another layer of flavor and gives the sausage a much better texture.
Don’t overcook the peppers. If you prefer your peppers to have a little texture, check them toward the end of the cooking time. They will become softer the longer they cook.
Toast the buns. This little extra step makes a big difference! Toasting the buns gives them enough structure to hold the juicy sausage and sauce without immediately becoming soggy.
Use a combination of sausage flavors. If you’re feeding a crowd, use some sweet Italian sausage and some hot Italian sausage so everyone has an option.
Don’t drain the tomatoes. The liquid from the crushed tomatoes is part of the sauce.
Let everyone build their own sandwich. For parties or game day, keep the sausages, peppers, onions, and sauce warm in the Crock Pot and let guests assemble their own sandwiches.
What Kind of Sausage Should I Use?
You can use sweet Italian sausage or hot Italian sausage in this recipe.
Sweet Italian sausage has a mild, savory flavor, while hot Italian sausage has more spice. You can also use a combination of both.
For a family-friendly version, I usually recommend sweet Italian sausage.
What Buns Are Best for Sausage and Peppers?
Use sturdy buns that can hold up to the sausage and tomato sauce.
Hoagie rolls, sub rolls, Italian rolls, or sturdy hamburger-style buns all work well.
Toasting the buns is highly recommended because it helps prevent them from getting soggy.
Can I Make Sausage and Peppers Without Searing the Sausage?
Yes. You can put the uncooked sausages directly into the Crock Pot with the peppers, onions, and sauce.
However, I recommend searing them first. It only takes a few minutes and adds extra flavor and color to the sausages.
Can I Use Frozen Peppers?
Yes! Frozen sliced bell peppers can work in a pinch. They will generally become softer than fresh peppers, but they’re a convenient option when you don’t have fresh peppers on hand.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Absolutely. The sausage and peppers can be cooked ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to serve them.
In fact, the flavors can become even better after sitting overnight.
Reheat the sausage and peppers gently in the Crock Pot or in a saucepan on the stovetop until heated through.
Toast the buns right before serving.
How to Store Leftover Sausage and Peppers
Store leftover sausage, peppers, onions, and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For the best texture, store the sausage and peppers separately from the buns.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm everything gently in a skillet or slow cooker.
Can I Freeze Sausage and Peppers?
Yes! The cooked sausage, peppers, onions, and tomato sauce can be frozen.
Allow the mixture to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
Freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until hot. Serve on freshly toasted buns.
What to Serve with Sausage and Peppers Sandwiches
These sandwiches are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but they’re also great served with simple sides.
Try serving them with:
- French fries
- Potato wedges
- Pasta salad
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
- Roasted potatoes
- Chips and dip
- A simple green salad
For a party, serve the sandwiches alongside a big bowl of salad and some crispy fries for an easy crowd-pleasing meal.
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes
If you love easy slow cooker dinners, try these next:
- Swamp Potatoes with Shrimp
- Nashville Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Piccata
- Hasselback Sweet & Saucy Kielbasa
- BBQ Beef Sliders
- French Dip Sandwiches
- Crock Pot Kielbasa and Pierogi
- Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Sandwiches
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
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Inside you’ll find comforting dinners, cozy soups, easy chicken recipes, hearty beef dishes, and plenty of dump-and-go meals your family will actually ask for again and again.
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Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers Sandwiches
Equipment
- crock pot 6 quart or larger
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 Italian sausage links sweet or hot
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 large bell peppers sliced
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 10 buns for serving
Instructions
- Pour the olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausages and sear for a couple of minutes on each side, until golden brown on the outside. Transfer the sausages to the Crock Pot.
- Add the sliced onion to the same skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add a little more olive oil if the pan is too dry.
- Add the sautéed onions and sliced bell peppers to the Crock Pot with the sausages.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, fennel seeds, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until the sausages are cooked through and the peppers and onions are tender.
- Toast the buns. Place one sausage on each bun and pile the saucy onions and peppers over the top.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use sweet Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or a combination.
- Searing the sausages first adds extra flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
- Toast the buns to help keep them from getting soggy.
- Use red, yellow, orange, or green bell peppers—or a combination.
- For parties, keep the finished sausage and peppers warm in the slow cooker and let guests assemble their own sandwiches.
Nutrition
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