These Sausage Stuffed Peppers bring all the flavor of a classic Italian-inspired dinner—savory sausage, melted cheese, and tender bell peppers—without heating up your kitchen or hovering over the stove. With just 5 simple ingredients, they cook low and slow in the slow cooker until the peppers are fork-tender and the filling is richly aromatic.
No browning. No baking. Just set it and forget it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🌶️ Only 5 ingredients—pantry staples!
- ⏱️ 10 minutes prep, then walk away
- 💛 One slow cooker = easy cleanup
- 💸 Costs under $9—feeds 4 generously
- 🌾 Naturally nut-free & easily gluten-free (check sausage label)
Ingredients You’ll Need
(4–6 quart slow cooker; serves 4)
- 4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off, seeds removed
- 1 lb (450g) sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- 1½ cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
- Optional: 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, or fresh basil for garnish
💡 Pro Tips:
- Stand peppers upright in the slow cooker—trim bottoms slightly if wobbly.
- Use pre-cooked rice—leftover or microwaveable works great.
- Drain sausage well after browning (if you choose to brown—see note below).
⚠️ Note: For food safety and best texture, browning the sausage first is recommended—but if you're short on time, you can add raw sausage (see FAQ).
Step-by-Step Instructions (Savory, Cheesy, Foolproof)
1. Prep Peppers
- Cut tops off peppers; remove seeds and membranes.
- If needed, slice a thin layer off the bottom so they stand upright.
2. Brown Sausage (Recommended)
