Description

This Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce is a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights, back-to-school dinners, or cozy family meals. With tender sausage simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce, it’s full of flavor and requires almost no effort—your slow cooker does all the work!

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs Italian sausage links (mild, sweet, or spicy)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, sliced (optional)
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the sausage on all sides for 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Base: In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Layer in the Slow Cooker: Place sausages in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the top. Add bell peppers if using.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or high for 3–4 hours.
Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve with pasta, rice, or bread, and top with Parmesan if desired.

Notes

You can skip browning the sausage if short on time, though it adds extra flavor. This dish freezes beautifully—store in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Try swapping Italian sausage for turkey, chicken, or even plant-based sausage for variation.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of recipe)
Calories: 390
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 70mg