Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Amish Sausage and Peppers
This slow cooker 3-ingredient Amish sausage and peppers is the kind of dish my family asks for again and again, especially for potlucks and busy weeknights. My uncle first brought a version of this recipe to a small-town spring church gathering, and his crock pot was scraped clean before the evening was over.
It’s an Amish-style, no-fuss meal built around simple ingredients: smoky sausage, colorful bell peppers, and a sweet-and-tangy sauce that transforms into a glossy gravy as everything slowly cooks together.
Just add everything to the slow cooker, set it, and let the flavors develop while you go about your day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 simple ingredients
- Easy dump-and-go slow cooker meal
- Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings
- Budget-friendly and filling
- Sweet, savory, and tangy flavor combination
- Minimal preparation required
- Great for sandwiches, rice, or noodles
Serving Suggestions
Serve the sausage and peppers over buttered egg noodles, fluffy white rice, mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta to soak up the flavorful sauce.
For casual dinners and potlucks, spoon the mixture into hoagie rolls or brat buns and top with provolone or Swiss cheese.
Round out the meal with a simple green salad, coleslaw, steamed green beans, or roasted vegetables.
Servings
6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds smoked pork sausage or kielbasa, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 3 large bell peppers (a mix of red and green), seeded and sliced into strips
- 2 cups Amish-style sweet and sour sauce or bottled sweet chili and vinegar pepper sauce
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Lightly coat the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Step 2: Add the Peppers
Spread the sliced bell peppers evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
Keeping the peppers on the bottom helps them soften and absorb flavor as they cook.
Step 3: Add the Sausage
Scatter the sliced sausage evenly over the peppers.
Step 4: Pour on the Sauce
Pour the sweet and sour sauce evenly over the sausage and peppers.
Do not add additional water or broth. The peppers and sauce will create plenty of liquid during cooking.
Step 5: Stir Lightly
Gently stir just enough to coat the sausage and peppers with the sauce.
Try to keep most of the peppers underneath the sausage for the best texture.
Step 6: Slow Cook
Cover with the lid and cook:
- LOW: 4 to 6 hours
- HIGH: 2 to 3 hours
The peppers should be tender and the sausage heated through with lightly browned edges.
Step 7: Stir and Serve
Before serving, stir everything well to coat the sausage and peppers evenly in the glossy sauce.
Taste and season lightly with salt and black pepper if desired.
Serve hot directly from the slow cooker.
Variations & Tips
- Use all sweet bell peppers for a milder flavor.
- Choose a spicy pepper sauce for extra heat.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes if you’re not strictly keeping it to three ingredients.
- Substitute smoked turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- Use beef sausage for a richer flavor.
- Slice peppers thinner if you prefer a softer texture.
Potluck Serving Idea
For parties and church gatherings, keep the slow cooker on the WARM setting and serve alongside:
- Hoagie rolls
- Brat buns
- Sliced provolone cheese
- Sliced Swiss cheese
- Pickles and condiments
Guests can build their own sausage and pepper sandwiches with minimal effort.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in a covered baking dish until hot throughout.
Food Safety Tips
- Keep sausage refrigerated until ready to use.
- Do not allow uncooked ingredients to sit at room temperature for more than 1 to 2 hours.
- Cook using the LOW or HIGH setting, not the WARM setting.
- After cooking, keep the slow cooker on WARM for no more than 2 hours during serving.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
- Reheat leftovers until steaming hot before serving.
Final Thoughts
This slow cooker 3-ingredient Amish sausage and peppers recipe proves that simple ingredients can create a meal packed with flavor. Smoky sausage, tender peppers, and a sweet-and-tangy sauce come together effortlessly in the slow cooker for a comforting dish everyone loves.
Whether served over noodles, spooned onto rice, or piled into sandwich rolls, this easy crock pot favorite is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and family gatherings all year long.