Sausage Crockpot Recipes: Easy, Flavorful Dishes for Busy Lives

Some nights i’m just too tired to stand over a hot stove but still want somethin’ tasty. That’s where the crockpot comes in real handy. You dump in sausage, some veggies, a few spices, and let it sit all day. By dinner time it smells amazing and you got a filling meal with almost no work. Whether it’s sausage and peppers or a hot chili, the crockpot does the trick.

Busy people and families love sausage crockpot meals because you can set it up in the mornin’, go to work or school, and come back to food that’s ready to eat. It saves time, cuts down stress, and gets everyone around the table. From quick weeknight dinners to laid-back weekend feasts, these recipes make cooking simple.

Benefits of Using a Crockpot for Sausage Recipes

The crockpot is great for sausage meals mostly because of slow cooking. You just put your ingredients in, turn it on low, and forget about it. That’s perfect if you got a busy day ahead.

Slow cooking also makes flavors blend better. When sausages simmer all day, they soak up spices and juices. This gives you a deeper taste you cant get by cooking fast. Adding herbs or sauces only helps the flavors to grow.

You can also make healthier meals in a crockpot. Throw in bell peppers, onions, or tomatoes and you got veggies without tastin’ like salad. It’s easy to add good stuff without losin’ the flavor.

Another cool thing is saving money. Sausages are often cheap, and if you mix in veggies, rice, or beans, you get a big pot of food for less cash. That’s awesome for families on a budget.

Essential Ingredients for Sausage Crockpot Recipes

The main star is the type of sausage you pick. Italian sausage, kielbasa, bratwurst, or chicken sausage all taste different. Try a few to see wich one you like best.

Next, you need veggies and aromatics. Onions, bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes help build layers of flavor. If you saute them first, they get sweeter and add more depth to your dish.

Don’t forget the cooking liquid. Broth, sauce, or even a splash of wine keeps everything moist. It stops your meal from dryin’ out and makes the sausage and veggies cook evenly.

Finally, herbs and spices put it all toghether. Oregano, thyme, paprika, or red pepper flakes can turn a good meal into somethin’ great. A little fresh herb at the end brightens up the whole dish.

Popular Sausage Crockpot Recipes

Classic Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a skillet brown the sausage over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
2. Put sausage, bell pepper, onion, garlic, tomatoes, seasoning, salt, and pepper in the crockpot. Stir it up.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until veggies are soft.

Cooking Tips: Use spicy Italian sausage or red pepper flakes for extra heat. Serve on a roll for a tasty sandwich.

Sausage and Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of kielbasa, sliced
• 4 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Layer potatoes and onion in the crockpot bottom.
2. Top with sliced kielbasa.
3. Mix soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour over the ingredients.
4. Sprinkle cheese on top.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are tender.

Cooking Tips: Add broccoli or extra veggies for more color and nutrition.

Crockpot Sausage Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Brown sausage in a skillet and drain fat.
2. Add sausage, beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the crockpot.
3. Stir and cover.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4. Stir if you can.

Cooking Tips: Top with cheese, avocado slices, or cilantro for extra flavor.

BBQ Sausage and Bean Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine sausage, beans, onion, BBQ sauce, broth, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
2. Stir and cover.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Cooking Tips: Adjust the sweetness of the BBQ sauce or add hot sauce for a spicy kick!

How to Make the Most Out of Your Crockpot

Preparing Ingredients Ahead of Time: Chop veggies, slice sausage, and measure spices the night before. You can even put everything in the crockpot insert in the fridge. Next morning just plug in and go.

Layering Techniques for Flavor: Put hard veggies like potatoes and carrots on the bottom, then sausage, then soft veggies like peppers. This helps them cook right and mix juices for a better taste.

Adjusting Cooking Times and Settings: Low setting is slow and easy, high is faster. If you try a new recipe, watch it the first time so you dont overcook or undercook.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Proper Storage Techniques: Let your meal cool before sealing in airtight containers. This stops extra moisture inside. Most sausage crockpot meals last 3-4 days in the fridge.

Reheating Instructions: Microwave is quick, but stove top on low with a bit of broth or water tastes better. Casseroles might need a few minutes in the oven to heat all the way through.

FAQs

What types of sausage are best for crockpot recipes? Italian sausage, kielbasa, bratwurst, and chicken sausage are all good picks. Each one has its own taste and texture.

Can I cook frozen sausage in a crockpot? It’s not really a great idea because it takes forever to get to a safe temp and might let bacteria grow.

How do I adjust cooking times for different types of sausages? Harder sausages like kielbasa need longer than softer ones like chicken sausage. Try adding or subtracting 30 minutes and check them.

What are some vegetarian alternatives to sausage in crockpot recipes? You can swap in plant-based sausages, lentils, chickpeas, or tofu to make it veggie-friendly.

Conclusion

Give these sausage crockpot recipes a try and see how easy dinner can be. Mix and match ingredients to find your favorite combos—there’s no limit to what you can create!

sausage crockpot recipes

This hearty and flavorful sausage and peppers dish is a perfect meal for busy days. Simply throw everything into your crockpot and let it cook, bringing out the rich flavors of the sausage and the sweetness of the bell peppers. Serve it with crusty bread or pasta for a complete meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 People

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• 1 6-quart crockpot
• 1 cutting board
• 1 measuring cups
• 1 measuring spoons
• 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound Italian sausage Hot or sweet, your choice.
• 2 medium bell peppers Red and green, sliced.
• 1 medium onion Sliced.
• 3 cloves garlic Minced.
• 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounces, with basil, oregano, and garlic.
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil Optional.
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Optional.

Instructions

 

• Slice the bell peppers and onion, and mince the garlic cloves.
• In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage for about 5 minutes until it is slightly cooked through (optional).
• Transfer the sliced bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic to the crockpot.
• Add the browned sausage (or raw if you prefer) on top of the vegetables.
• Pour the can of diced tomatoes over the sausage and vegetables.
• Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the top.
• Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, if using.
• Stir gently to combine the ingredients, being careful not to break up the sausage too much.
• Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
• Once cooked, stir again before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Notes

You can substitute turkey sausage or chicken sausage for a lighter option.

Serve it on a hoagie roll for a delicious sausage sandwich.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.