Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Peppers Ingredients 6 Italian sausage links (mild or spicy) 3 bell peppers (red, green, and yellow), sliced 1 large onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes 1 cup marinara sauce 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1/4 cup chicken broth to taste Fresh parsley or basil for garnish Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark Instructions Slice the bell peppers and onion into 1/2-inch strips and mince the garlic. This takes about 15 minutes and is the only hands-on work in the recipe. Toss the peppers and onion with the olive oil right in the slow cooker, then scatter the garlic over the top and spread into an even layer so the sausage rests on a cushion of vegetables. Arrange the raw Italian sausage links on top of the vegetables in a single layer, overlapping slightly if needed. Skip pricking and browning; the links stay plump when cooked whole. Pour the diced tomatoes with their juices and the marinara sauce over the sausage. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Drizzle the chicken broth around the edges of the pot so it does not rinse the seasonings off the top. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, until the peppers are fork-tender and the sausage is firm and cooked through. Resist lifting the lid because each peek adds 15 to 20 minutes of cook time. Around 5½ hours check one link with an instant-read thermometer for 160°F; it is normal if the sauce looks thin, since it thickens as it rests. Turn off the heat, stir gently, and let the pot rest for 5 minutes. Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt only if needed, since the sausage and marinara are already seasoned. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or torn basil. Spoon over pasta or tuck into crusty bread and serve while the sauce is hot and glossy. Tip: For a thicker, more clinging sauce, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for the final 20 to 30 minutes. "If this recipe made your favorites list, you'll love the 200+ more, dinner and desserts recipes that i share on my page, all in one place easy access organized and printable 🎉 🌟 my COOKBOOK on my page right under my profile picture ⬆️" - @amber_recipes