Sausage Soup in the Crock Pot (with Veggies!)
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This Sausage Soup Crock Pot recipe is easy to make with a little bit of prep, and each bite is more delicious than the last. A rich tomato broth is packed with tons of veggies and flavorful Italian sausage, simmered in the slow cooker for a hearty, hands-off meal. Keep this recipe on hand for busy weeknights or lazy weekends!
Sausage Soup Crock Pot
I’m always looking for new dinner ideas that are fast and inexpensive, especially when the holiday season is in full swing.
And I’ll admit, I sometimes get caught up in unique flavors and “bigger is better” ideas… until I remember that some of the coziest meals are really quite simple.
This crock pot soup with sausage fits the bill perfectly, loaded with plenty of veggies and my favorite Italian spices.
Prep is quick and can be done the night before, then everything simmers together until dinnertime.
Need dinner on the table even faster?
I’ve got a few different stovetop versions to choose from, whether you’re craving something hearty with beans and pasta or have a bunch of peppers you need to use up.
Both are ready in just 30 minutes so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with those you love.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Italian Sausage – This comes in sweet, mild, or hot, so you can easily choose how spicy you want your soup.
Bulk sausage is easiest to brown, but you can remove fresh sausage links from their casings and crumble them instead. - Crushed & Diced Tomatoes – You’ll need a large can of crushed tomatoes to form the base, plus a smaller can of diced tomatoes for texture.
Swap in fire-roasted diced tomatoes for the regular ones to add a little heat and depth of flavor. - Beef Stock – Adds rich, savory flavor to this dish. Vegetable stock is the best substitute, and you can add a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce to keep that “meaty” flavor.
- Fresh Veggies – Celery, carrot, and onion are the base of any good soup, but this is the perfect recipe to use up whatever is hiding in your crisper drawer.
Broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, kale, spinach… everything tastes great in slow cooker soup with sausage!
Wait until the end to add leafy greens so they are just wilted when served. - Red Potatoes – These are waxy and buttery and hold up really well when simmered. Swap with Yukon gold or baby potatoes if needed.
Avoid russet potatoes as they will become mealy when cooked for hours. - Frozen Peas & Corn – You could also skip the fresh carrots and use a frozen vegetable medley instead. Just be sure to increase the amount to make up for the swap.
- Italian Seasoning – Since the sausage is already seasoned, you don’t need to add much extra to this sausage soup crockpot recipe. Substitute with your favorite dried Italian herbs like oregano, parsley, basil, rosemary, and thyme.
And for a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes!
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Crock Pot Soup with Sausage
- Brown the sausage on the stovetop first.
The last thing you want to do is add raw, bulk sausage to your slow cooker! Cooking it first also helps lock in the juices and makes it easier to crumble into smaller pieces.
I like to toss the minced garlic in with it to help deepen the flavor. Add it once the meat is browned, then cook for another minute or two until fragrant.
- Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
Chop up the celery and onion, cube the potatoes, and peel and slice the carrots.
You can even do this the night before to save some time, then refrigerate everything in a storage bag or container so you can dump and go.
Store the potatoes in a separate container since those get added later. It’s best to soak them in water so they don’t brown — drain and rinse before adding to the crock.
Wait to measure out the frozen peas and corn so they don’t start to thaw. But you can open up the canned tomatoes!
Feel free to brown the sausage the night before too. Don’t forget to add the garlic, then let the mixture cool before refrigerating.
The next day, all you have to do is assemble your sausage soup in the crock pot and turn it on!
- Choose the right temperature based on how much time you have.
The Low and High settings on a crockpot are technically the same temperature — one just gets there faster!
If you’re in a hurry, choose the high setting so everything starts simmering as quickly as possible. This sausage soup crock pot recipe will be ready in about 4 hours once started.
But if you have the time, or you’re away from the house all day, use the Low setting to really develop those flavors.
You’ll need to add the potatoes, peas, and carrots about 2 hours before you plan on serving, but it’s a nice way to have dinner waiting when you get home!
Prep Ahead
- Brown sausage
- Chop veggies
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Slow Cooker – Great for soups, roasts, shredded chicken, and more! I love it in the cooler months, but it’s also great in the summer when you don’t want to heat up the whole house with the oven.
- Skillet – This is my go-to pan that I’ve had for over a decade!
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Ladle – A must for dishing up your crock pot soup with sausage!
Serving Suggestions
Make this cozy meal even cozier with freshly baked bread! I’m always a sucker for beer bread with soup, but cornbread would go really well with these flavors.
You can also pair this sausage soup slow cooker recipe with a grilled cheese sandwich or crispy baked potatoes.
Storing and Reheating Slow Cooker Soup with Sausage
Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to a month!
The potatoes will continue to soften and break apart the longer this sits, especially when frozen and thawed.
But it doesn’t affect the texture too much, and the soup is still delicious.
Instead of reheating sausage soup in the crock pot, warm it in a saucepan on the stove. Keep the heat at medium or lower, simmering until everything is warmed through.
Sausage Soup Slow Cooker FAQ
Technically, no, but you’ll get much better results if you do. Adding bulk sausage directly to the slow cooker will cause it to cook in a clump.
It’s best to brown it on the stovetop first, making it easier to crumble, deepening the flavor, and creating a crust to lock in the juices.
You should stir everything together at first, but leave it alone once you add the lid and turn it on.
Stirring isn’t necessary when cooking sausage soup in the crockpot, and lifting the lid will only cause the heat to escape.
Quickly give it a stir when adding the potatoes, corn, and peas towards the end, then leave it alone until you’re ready to serve.
While I don’t have one (yet!), you could make this one creamy if you’d like! Melt in some cream cheese or shredded white cheddar just before serving, or add some heavy cream.
But if all you’re looking for is a creamy texture and some kind of sausage, try my Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Sausage Soup in the Crock Pot (with Veggies!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage, mild or hot
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef stock
- 3 stalks celery, sliced into 1/4”
- 3 carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 4 small red potatoes, diced into 1/2” cubes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet set over medium heat, add the sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into small chunks. When the sausage is almost done, add the garlic. Saute about 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, stock, celery, carrots, onions, and seasoning to the insert of a slow cooker. Add in the sausage and garlic mixture; stir to combine.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 hours, or low for 6 hours.
- Stir in the cubed potatoes, frozen peas and frozen corn; season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook on HIGH for 1 additional hour, or low for 2 additional hours.
- Ladle into bowls and serve.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2017, updated and republished January 2025
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A rich and tasty comfort food soup! Great for a cold day or any time youre feeling down! Very yummy!