My thrifty Italian uncle made this every Sunday when money was tight. You only need 4 ingredients to create this incredibly juicy and flavorful budget meal.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient sausage and peppers recipe is my thrifty Italian uncle’s classic Sunday meal for when money was tight and everyone was still hungry. He’d toss everything into the slow cooker before church, and by the time we got home the house smelled like an old-school Italian deli. You only need sausage, peppers, onions, and a splash of broth to create juicy, flavorful meat with tender veggies and a light savory au jus. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy weeks when you still want something comforting and homemade.

Serve the sausage and peppers piled over toasted hoagie rolls for classic sandwiches, or spoon them over cooked white rice, buttered egg noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful juices. For a lighter option, serve with a side salad or roasted green beans. Leftovers reheat well and make an easy meal prep lunch—just pack the sausage, peppers, and onions with some cooked pasta or rice in containers for grab-and-go meals.

Servings: 4

2 pounds Italian pork sausage links (mild or hot)

Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage links and brown on all sides, about 5–7 minutes total. You don’t need to cook them through; just get some color. This step adds flavor but can be skipped if you’re in a rush.

Prep the vegetables: While the sausage browns, slice the bell peppers into thick strips and the onion into thin slices.

Layer in the slow cooker: Add the sliced onions and peppers to the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the vegetables.

Add the sausage: Place the browned sausage links on top of the peppers and onions. Nestle them down slightly so they’re touching the broth and veggies.

Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the sausage is cooked through (internal temperature 160°F) and the onions and peppers are very soft and tender. The vegetables and sausage will create a light, savory au jus in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Serve: Transfer the sausage to a cutting board and slice into thick pieces if desired. Spoon the sausage, peppers, onions, and some of the cooking juices onto plates, into bowls, or over rolls, rice, or pasta. Taste and add a pinch of salt and black pepper at the table if needed.

Use whatever Italian sausage fits your budget—mild, sweet, or hot all work, and store-brand links are usually cheapest. If you want more veggies without spending much, add another onion or an extra bell pepper. To keep it 4 ingredients, skip any extras, but if you’re not strict, you can sprinkle in dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or crushed red pepper for a little kick. For a leaner version, use turkey Italian sausage and reduce the broth to 1/3 cup since it will release less fat. If you’re short on time in the morning, skip browning the sausage and just toss everything straight into the slow cooker; it will still be tender and tasty, just a bit lighter in color. This recipe also works well for meal prep: cook once, then portion sausage and peppers with rice or pasta into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches all week.