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.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:255 mins

Servings: 6

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)

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until fully browned. Drain any excess grease and set aside.

Step 2

In a crock pot, add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, sliced zucchini, bell peppers, diced onion, and minced garlic.

Step 3

Stir in the oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine the flavors.

Step 4

Add the cooked Italian sausage to the crock pot and stir to incorporate it with the sauce and vegetables.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

About 15 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 7

To serve, spoon the Italian sausage and vegetable sauce over the cooked pasta. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Step 8

Enjoy your flavorful and effortless Busy Day Italian Crock Pot meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2866.4 grams (2866.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2702

Total Fat 147.50g	189%
Saturated Fat 55.90g	280%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 362mg	121%
Sodium 8191mg	356%
Total Carbohydrate 205.10g	75%
Dietary Fiber 31.30g	112%
Total Sugars 54.80g
Protein 148.50g	297%

Vitamin D 48IU	238%
Calcium 1726mg	133%
Iron 15mg	84%
Potassium 4141mg	88%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.4%

Protein: 21.7%

Carbs: 29.9%