Sausage makes an easy slow cooker dinner because it brings its own flavor. These 8 crockpot sausage recipes use Italian sausage, smoked sausage, and kielbasa, and they range from creamy soup and cheesy potato casseroles to pasta, red beans and rice, and stuffing. Most only need a few minutes of prep, so you can load the slow cooker and let it cook.
What Kind Of Sausage Works In The Crockpot?
The recipes in this list use three kinds of sausage:
- Italian sausage: used in million dollar spaghetti and zuppa toscana for a savory, seasoned flavor. These are the crockpot Italian recipes in the list.
- Kielbasa: sliced and cooked with potatoes, green beans, cheese, or pierogies.
- Smoked and breakfast-style sausage: smoked sausage goes into red beans and rice, and plain sausage goes into the stuffing.
8 Crockpot Sausage Recipes
1. Crockpot Million Dollar Spaghetti
Italian sausage, marinara, cream cheese, sour cream, and mozzarella cook with spaghetti into a rich, cheesy pasta dinner. It is the fastest recipe on this list. Cook time: 3-4 hours on low. Get the Crockpot Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe.
2. Crockpot Zuppa Toscana
Mild or spicy Italian sausage, bacon, Yukon gold potatoes, kale, and heavy cream make a creamy, hearty soup. Serve it with crusty bread. Cook time: 5-6 hours on low. Get the Crockpot Zuppa Toscana recipe.
3. Crockpot Cajun Red Beans and Rice
Smoked sausage cooks with dried red beans, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and Cajun seasoning. Ladle it over white rice and top with green onions. Cook time: 8 hours on low. Get the Crockpot Cajun Red Beans and Rice recipe.
4. Slow Cooker Sausage and Potato Casserole
Hash browns, kielbasa, onion, cheddar, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and creole seasoning cook together into a cheesy, filling casserole. Cook time: 6 hours on low. Get the Slow Cooker Sausage and Potato Casserole recipe.
5. Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes and Kielbasa
Baby potatoes and sliced kielbasa cook in a creamy mix of cheddar, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. It is an easy one-pot dinner for a busy night. Cook time: 6-8 hours on low. Get the Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes and Kielbasa recipe.
6. Crockpot Kielbasa, Potatoes, and Green Beans
Sliced kielbasa, tender potatoes, and green beans cook together with onion, garlic, and chicken broth for a simple meat-and-vegetable dinner. Cook time: 6-8 hours on low. Get the Crockpot Kielbasa, Potatoes, and Green Beans recipe.
7. Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa
Cheddar pierogies, kielbasa, onion, and a creamy chicken broth sauce cook with cheddar cheese into a comforting casserole. Cook time: 4-6 hours on low. Get the Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa recipe.
8. Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing
Sausage, cubed bread, onion, celery, sage, thyme, and parsley cook in chicken broth and eggs. It frees up the oven for the rest of a holiday or Sunday dinner. Cook time: 4-6 hours on low. Get the Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing recipe.
Tips For Cooking Sausage In The Slow Cooker
- Slice evenly: cut kielbasa and smoked sausage into pieces of the same size so everything heats at the same rate.
- Thaw first: thaw frozen sausage in the refrigerator before it goes into the crockpot.
- Check the temperature: raw ground pork sausage is done at 160°F.
- Drain the grease: if you brown Italian sausage first, drain the fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Keep the lid on: opening the lid releases heat and adds cooking time.
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love
- 14 Easy Crockpot Dinners for Busy Weeknights
- 12 Set and Forget Crockpot Dinners for Busy Moms at Work
- Easy Fall Crockpot Dinner Recipes
- Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner
FAQs
What Is The Best Sausage For The Crockpot?
The recipes in this list use kielbasa, smoked sausage, and Italian sausage. Kielbasa and smoked sausage slice easily and hold their shape, while Italian sausage adds a seasoned, savory flavor to pasta and soup.
Can I Put Raw Sausage In The Slow Cooker?
Follow the recipe you are making, and cook raw ground sausage until it reaches 160°F. If you brown it first, drain the extra fat before it goes into the crockpot.
Can I Make Sausage And Peppers In The Crockpot?
Sausage, bell pepper, and onion go well together in a slow cooker. The Cajun Red Beans and Rice recipe in this list cooks smoked sausage with bell pepper and onion in one pot.
How Long Do Crockpot Sausage Leftovers Keep?
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator and use them within 3 to 4 days.
What Can I Serve With Crockpot Sausage Dinners?
Rice, crusty bread, a green salad, steamed vegetables, or egg noodles all work with these recipes.