Whoever created the crock pot is a genius … am I right? Crock pot tacos, soups, stews, “one pot wonder” dinners … what could be easier? For whatever reason, I had never equated my crock pot with breakfast until a coworker shared this recipe. I was blown away by how easy it was to make and how much Chris and the boys raved about it!
Easy Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
So aside from a crockpot ;), you’ll need the following items to layer for this crock pot breakfast casserole:
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Layer in the following order: 1 bag refrigerated hash browns (I used a 20 oz. bag of Simply Potatoes) 1 lb breakfast sausage BROWNED and crumbled 10-12 eggs scrambled with milk (about 1/4 – 1/3 cup milk) 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese) |
(Just for the record, it is sorta hard to make hashbrowns and browned, crumbled breakfast sausage look appealing when dumped in a crockpot, ha ha!) Now, set your crockpot to low and just let it cook. (I feel like an infomercial: “Set it and forget it.”) Anyway, you know it is done when the eggs are firm and the cheese is crispy around the edges. Mine took about 3 hours to cook, give or take (but I have a BIG crockpot, so cooking time may vary). This is perfect for a sleepover, a large holiday gathering, brunch or a lazy Sunday morning breakfast.
We used southwestern flavored hashbrowns and they definitely had a little kick. You could use maple breakfast sausage for a sweet and savory combination or add sauteed veggies for a meat-free version. It is super simple and supremely delicious!
Update 1/11/13! This recipe was one of the top 100 recipes of 2012 over at AllFreeSlowCookerRecipes.com!! Thanks everyone who clicked, pinned and ate 🙂
Looks yummy – another great recipe to try once I’m off this diet!
I’ve Become My Mother
Nice! I have a crock pot and I never use it. Well I use it to keep soup warm, lol! It’s a super old fashioned one that you can actually get the heat really high with to almost a boil. I think you’ve inspired me to move beyond soup warming. ::grins::
By the way, I found you via @ http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com
I’d love to try this. Thanks for the inspiration!
YUM! I LOVE your recipe ! Would you come over to Cast Party Wednesday tomorrow and share your tasty recipe with us?
Thanks,
I hope to see you there!
http://ladybehindthecurtain.com
I use my crock pot a lot, but never for breakfast. I’m eager to try this recipe.
Just discovered you and I think I’m gong to become your newsest blog stalker (in that happy good way of course.)
Sounds delicious. I can’t wait to try it.
I make something similar in the oven but I never considered the crockpot – which I do use all the time. What a great idea. Please consider linkup to the weekly Success U – Wednesday Linkup Party at www.thestuffofsuccess.com
Yum, this looks really good and easy! My kind of meal! Pinning it. Seriously, the crock pot is my favorite invention ever. I think it was divine inspiration!
Brie from darlingdoodles.blogspot.com
GENIUS!!!!!!!!! On my menu for SUNDAY…thx!
(found ya on a linky party)
I have been looking for a crock pot breakfast idea.. and I found one here! Thank you!
yum, this sounds really good…perfect for fall!
Yum! This sounds delish.
Is it really that simple?? I must try this, it looks amazing! Crock pot recipes are simply the best! Thanks for sharing this @ Show & Share! I appreciate the support!
This looks so yummy. am way to lazy to cook in the morning so this is the perfect solution!
http://theloops13.blogspot.com/
Love it! We are in temp housing with no oven. My crockpot is my new best friend!
Thanks for linking up with Momtrends this week!
~Shannon, Food Channel Editor, Momtrends.com
Delish! Just made it for Christmas morning breakfast!
Hi! I just found your blog and this recipe thanks to pinterest. I am hoping to make this tonight! But I was wondering if you cooked it on high or low for 3 hours? The other recipe I found similar to this said theirs took 7 hours! So I’m just wondering what the difference is.
Thanks!
Hi Erin – my crockpot was set on low and it took around 3 – 4 hours. Since the sausage was pre-cooked and the hashbrowns are layered at the bottom by the heat, I just made sure the eggs were set and we chowed down. oh! I also have a pretty big crockpot, so if yours is a little smaller, it may take longer. Hope this helps!
Do you think we could use bacon instead of the beef?
So, I’m planning on doing this (and am really, really excited to!) but I was wondering how many cups of milk are required? It doesn’t specify in the ingredients :/
Thanks so much!
Hi Stephanie – I’m so glad you are going to make this!
I just whisked in a little milk (like you might do with scrambled eggs) so maybe 1/4 cup if that? It’s really not even required … just how we make scrambled eggs in our house 🙂
Love this idea!! One question…do you need to thaw the hash browns if you use frozen ones before you put them in the crock pot?
Wanted to print recipe but takes 10 pages.
It didnt say how many lbs to use 1 bag refrigerated shredded has potatoes soo pls let me know. Thanks!
Is the sausage cooked prior to putting in crockpot?
Hi Denise – sorry I didn’t clarify – YES, brown 1 lb. of sausage 🙂
am new here. found answers to all my questions but one. what size bag of potatoes? TY
Hi Donna – I just updated the recipe – I used a 20 oz. bag of Simply Potatoes. Happy cooking!
2 questions. Does it matter what order you layer? And, how much milk with the eggs. I don’t see any cooking directions .
Hi Melanie! I layer hashbrowns, sausage, eggs then cheese. That allows the egg to seep down through the other ingredients and let’s the cheese get nice and melty all over the top! I usually just splash some milk in, but you would be fine with 1/4 – 1/3 cup milk. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I will be trying this for dinner tonight. We have breakfast for dinner quite often and this will be in my Mind book ( memory bank) Breakfast for dinner. Thank you