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Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Pepper Hoagies

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A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe featuring Italian sausage and colorful bell peppers simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, served in hoagie rolls. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds sweet or hot Italian sausage links, sliced or whole
  • 3 large bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced into strips
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 hoagie rolls
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: provolone or mozzarella cheese slices

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice the bell peppers into thin strips. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Mince the garlic cloves.
  2. Optional: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Brown the sausage links or slices about 3-4 minutes per side for added flavor.
  3. Lightly toss the sliced peppers and onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on the bottom of the slow cooker.
  4. Add the browned sausage on top, sprinkle minced garlic and Italian seasoning, then pour the crushed tomatoes evenly over everything.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until sausage is fully cooked and peppers are tender but not mushy.
  6. About 10 minutes before serving, slice hoagie rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through to create a pocket. Toast lightly if desired.
  7. Using tongs, load each roll generously with sausage and peppers. Add cheese slices on top if using, then broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese bubbles.
  8. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Browning the sausage before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped. Thinly slice peppers and onions to avoid mushiness. Stir halfway through cooking for even flavor distribution. Toast hoagie rolls to prevent sogginess. If sauce is too thin, reduce on high heat for 15-20 minutes. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, Italian sausage, peppers, hoagies, easy dinner, comfort food, sausage and peppers, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/slow-cooker-italian-sausage-and-pepper-hoagies-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/