Ingredients:
- 1.5-2 pounds Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot, depending on your preference)
- 3 bell peppers (any mix of red, yellow, orange, green) sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 (28-ounce) jar marinara sauce (choose your favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Hoagie rolls (for serving)
- Shredded provolone cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
- Prep the veggies: Slice the bell peppers and onion into strips.
- Brown the sausage (optional): For a richer flavor, brown the sausages in a skillet over medium-high heat before adding them to the Crock Pot. This step is optional but recommended.
- Combine it all: Place the peppers, onion, sausage (browned or not), marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper in your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir.
- Slow cook perfection: Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Serve and enjoy:
- Spoon the sausage and pepper mixture over toasted hoagie rolls.
- Top with shredded provolone cheese (optional) and melt under the broiler for a minute or two for an extra-delicious treat.
Tips:
- Sausage choice: Use your favorite type of Italian sausage. You can even mix things up with different flavors.
- Customize it: Add other vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Serving ideas: Serve the sausage and peppers over rice, pasta, or polenta instead of hoagie rolls.
- No sauce? No problem! If you don’t want to use marinara, try a combination of diced tomatoes, a splash of chicken broth, and extra Italian seasoning for a homemade sauce base.
