Grandma's Old Fashioned Stuffed Peppers recipe gets a glow-up using the slow cooker! Tender peppers overflow with sausage chunks and a Cajun dirty rice combo. Set and forget for an easy weeknight dinner.
Customize this savoy slow cooker dinner with the spicy kick of chorizo, swap the rice for quinoa, or sneak in your favorite veggies for a twist.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
You'll love how quick and easy this old fashioned stuffed bell peppers recipe comes together for a family meal that's sure to please everyone at the table. It's perfect for an everyday weeknight dinner, or a special occasion meal.
Simmered in a savory tomato sauce and combined with flavorful ingredients like Andouille sausage, rice, and Cajun seasoning, these old fashioned stuffed peppers will delight everyone's taste buds - not to mention have them coming back for seconds!
Ingredients Overview
We used Andouille sausage for our sausage stuffed peppers, but you can use any sausage you prefer. If you purchase raw chub sausage, be sure to cook and drain excess fat off before adding to the rice mixture.
- Large Green Bell Peppers - top sliced off, and seeds cored out of them.
- Olive Oil
- Onion - diced finely.
- Celery - diced finely.
- Garlic - fresh cloves, minced.
- Andouille sausage - halve the length, then cut into ½" pieces.
- Cooked Rice - You can use any rice that has been previously cooked. To make fresh cooked rice, see our Steamed White Rice recipe.
- Tomato Sauce - one 8 oz can.
- Cajun Seasoning - you can use our Cajun Seasoning recipe, or use any store bought Creole or Cajun seasoning blend.
- Oregano - dried, crushed oregano.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Old Fashioned Stuffed Peppers
One of the things I love about slow cookers, Crock Pots, and even the slow cooker setting on my Instant Pot, is that I can put everything in, choose a 4 hour or 8 hour cook window, and walk away.
The cooking appliance keeps it on the warm, ready to serve setting even if I am not available immediately after the cook program has completed. It makes the life of a mom so much easier.
Prepare the Bell Peppers
- Brush the bottom interior of the slow cooker with some olive oil, or spray with non stick cooking spray.
- Cut the tops off each bell pepper, and remove the attached seed core membrane and seeds.
Mix the Stuffed Peppers Filling
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, onions, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until onions and celery are tender.
- Add the cut sausage and cooked rice to the skillet, cooking until heated through.
- Add the tomato sauce, Cajun seasoning, and Oregano stirring until blended.
Stuff the Bell Peppers
- Taste the sausage and rice filling, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stuff the bell peppers with the sausage and rice mixture.
Program Slow Cooker and Relax
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours or on High for 2 to 3 hours.
- Uncover, let sit for 15 minutes, then transfer stuffed bell peppers to a serving platter and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Slow Cooker Old Fashioned Stuffed Peppers welcome endless variations. Swap ground beef for turkey or lentils, experiment with different vegetables, or add a touch of spice to suit your family's tastes.
These old fashioned stuffed bell peppers only need a fresh, crisp green salad and a side vegetable like our Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus, or Roasted Rainbow Carrots to be a complete meal!
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Substitutions
- Any cooked rice is perfect to use. You can even purchased cooked rice at Trader Joe's!
- Likewise with the sausage, Kielbasa, Beef, and Smoked turkey sausage all are delicious in this sausage stuffed peppers recipe.
Variations
Here are a few scrumptious variations on this Old Fashioned Stuffed Peppers recipe:
- Chicken & Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers - Dice up two chicken breasts, or use a package of smoked pulled chicken instead of the chopped Andouille sausage.
- Ground Beef & Rice Stuffed Peppers - This economical variation is simply delicious also. Brown 1 lb of ground beef and drain off the excess fat and liquid. Mix with the rice and seasonings, then stuff the bell peppers. Cook the same time as for the Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this old fashioned stuffed bell peppers recipe.
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- 6 quart Crockpot Slow Cooker
Storage Options
- Store any leftover sausage stuffed peppers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips for Success
- Don't over stuff, even with pre-cooked rice, as it will still expand and split the rice and sausage stuffed peppers.
- Be sure to smear the bottom of the slow cooker pot with some olive oil, so the bell peppers don't stick when your ready to transfer them to a serving platter.
- If using raw bulk sausage, cook and drain before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can after cooking. When reheating stuffed peppers, place in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes at 275 F.
Yes, you can use a stuffing mix instead of rice if you prefer. Use a box of stovetop stuffing dry after sauteing the onions, celery, and garlic.
Since there is already rice in the peppers, you don't need a starchy side. Include a fresh salad, green or non starchy vegetables and you will have a balanced meal.
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Get The Recipe!
Old Fashioned Stuffed Peppers
Equipment
- Crock Pot 6 qt Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 6 large bell peppers
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced fine
- 2 stalks celery diced fine
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 14 oz Andouille sausage cut in half lengthwise, then sliced ½ inch
- 1½ cup cooked rice previously cooked and cooled
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon oregano dried
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brush the bottom interior of the slow cooker with some olive oil, or spray with non stick cooking spray.2 tablespoon olive oil
- Cut the tops off each bell pepper, and remove the attached seed core membrane and seeds.6 large bell peppers
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, onions, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until onions and celery are tender.1 onion, 2 stalks celery, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the cut sausage and pre-cooked rice to the skillet, cooking until heated through.14 oz Andouille sausage, 1½ cup cooked rice
- Add the tomato sauce, Cajun seasoning, and Oregano stirring until blended.8 oz tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, ¼ teaspoon oregano
- Taste the sausage and rice filling, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stuff the bell peppers with the sausage and rice mixture.salt , pepper
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours or on High for 2 to 3 hours.
- Uncover, let sit for 15 minutes, then transfer stuffed bell peppers to a serving platter and enjoy!
Notes
- Don't over stuff, even with pre-cooked rice, as it will still expand and split the rice and sausage stuffed peppers.
- Be sure to smear the bottom of the slow cooker pot with some olive oil, so the bell peppers don't stick when your ready to transfer them to a serving platter.
- If using raw bulk sausage, cook and drain before using.
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