If you need an easy weeknight dinner that practically cooks itself, this Italian Sausage Crock Pot recipe is a lifesaver. It’s only three ingredients, budget-friendly, and slow-cooked to perfection while you go about your day. This recipe came from my mother-in-law and quickly became a family favorite — especially on busy school nights.
These days, I make mine with organic, sugar-free tomato sauce and organic pasta to avoid glyphosate (more on that below), but you can absolutely use your favorite brands and make it your own.
How to Make 3-Ingredient Italian Sausage in the Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1–2 pounds Italian sausage (pork or chicken)
- 24 oz jar of tomato sauce (I like organic, no-sugar Classico Riserva or Rao’s Homemade)
- Pasta of choice (spaghetti, farfalle, rigatoni — or even zucchini noodles)
Instructions
- Place sausages in your crock pot.
- Pour sauce over the top.
- Cook on High for 4–5 hours or Low for 6–8 hours.
- Serve over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles.
That’s it — dinner is ready!
How I Make Mine Healthier (Optional)
I like to keep this dish free of unnecessary additives while still being budget-friendly:
- Organic pasta → Conventional wheat pasta is often sprayed with glyphosate before harvest; organic avoids that.
- Sugar-free sauce → Many jarred sauces contain added sugar; look for “no sugar added” labels.
- Organic, nitrate-free sausage brands I recommend:
- Applegate Naturals Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage
- Organic Prairie Pork Italian Sausage
- Niman Ranch Pork Italian Sausage
Healthy Swaps for Italian Sausage Crock Pot Recipe
- Use Italian chicken sausage instead of pork for less fat.
- Add cooked spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or onions to the sauce for extra veggies.
- Swap pasta for zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta.
- Try spicy sausage for more kick.
Budget Shopping Tips
- Stock up on sausage when it’s on sale; freeze for later.
- Buy pasta when it’s $1 or less per box — it stores well. Organic pasta is a great price at Costco!
- Aldi & Walmart usually have the cheapest pasta sauce; they even have some great organic sugar free brands!
- Keep an eye out for digital coupons from your grocery store.
What to Serve with Italian Sausage Crock Pot Recipe
- Garlic Bread → Butter bread, sprinkle with garlic powder & Italian seasoning, then toast for 5 minutes.
- Olive Garden-Inspired Salad → Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, and Italian dressing.
- Green Beans With Bacon
Kid-Friendly Tips
- Serve pasta with butter & cheese on the side and give kids a “no thank you bite” of sausage + sauce.
- Let kids sprinkle their own Parmesan at the table.
- Pair with veggie sides they already love.
FAQ
Can I use frozen sausage? → Thaw in the fridge first for even cooking.
Can I use meatballs instead? → Absolutely! Works great with frozen meatballs.
Can I freeze leftovers? → Yes, store in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
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FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE FAMILY RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:
- 3 Delicious Pantry Friendly Meals
- 105 Meals for $115 – Feeding My Family For a week
- The Top 10 Secrets to saving big on food!
MORE WEEKNIGHT RECIPES TO TRY:
- Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes
- Cheesy Tortellini Bake(My Kids LOVE THIS!)
- Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas! (These are SO EASY!)
- Slow Cooker Cube Steak With Gravy
Italian Sausage Crock Pot Recipe
- Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Indulge in the simplicity of our Crock Pot Sausage Dinner – just three ingredients. Affordable sausages and your favorite tomato sauce simmer to perfection in the crock pot, creating a flavorful and fuss-free meal.
Ingredients
- 1–2 pounds of Italian sausage links
- 1 jar tomato sauce (e.g., Classico, or your preferred sauce)
- Pasta of choice (e.g., rigatoni, spaghetti)
- Optional: Garlic bread for serving
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Place sausages in the crock pot.
- Pour your preferred tomato sauce over the sausages.
- Set the crock pot on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Serve sausages over pasta.
- Optional: Serve with garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 300
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