Busy Day Italian Crock Pot
Say goodbye to dinnertime stress with this easy and flavorful Busy Day Italian Crock Pot recipe, a perfect choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Bursting with robust Italian flavors, this hearty dish combines tender Italian sausage, vibrant zucchini, bell peppers, and a medley of aromatics like garlic, onion, and classic Italian herbs. The slow cooker does all the hard work, simmering the ingredients in marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes to create a rich, savory sauce that pairs perfectly with al dente pasta. Prep in just 15 minutes, and let the crock pot transform your kitchen with the comforting aroma of a slow-cooked Italian masterpiece. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for an irresistible finishing touch. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep, this crowd-pleaser serves six and brings the heart of Italy straight to your table with minimal hassle.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce
- 14 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 2 medium Zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 medium Bell peppers (any color), sliced thinly
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 12 ounces Penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked separately
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until fully browned. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
In a crock pot, add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, sliced zucchini, bell peppers, diced onion, and minced garlic.
Stir in the oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine the flavors.
Add the cooked Italian sausage to the crock pot and stir to incorporate it with the sauce and vegetables.
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are fully developed.
About 15 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
To serve, spoon the Italian sausage and vegetable sauce over the cooked pasta. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Enjoy your flavorful and effortless Busy Day Italian Crock Pot meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
403 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.4 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.3 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 56 mg | 19% | |
| Sodium | 1135 mg | 49% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.5 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.0 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.5 g | ||
| Protein | 20.9 g | 42% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 157 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 703 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
