Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole layers hash browns, sausage or ham, eggs, and a generous helping of cheese for an easy breakfast the entire family will love. Let this cook overnight in your Crock Pot or fix it in the morning, either way it's delicious!
I love easy recipes like this Crockpot breakfast casserole. It's perfect for holidays like Christmas morning when you don't want to cook, brunches, or sleepovers. You can let this casserole cook on low overnight or pop it in first thing in the morning to eat a few hours later.
Need more breakfast recipe inspiration? Try our Overnight Waffle Casserole, Everything Bagel Overnight Breakfast Casserole, or these Sheet Pan Eggs.
Ingredients
- Hash Browns - frozen shredded hash browns work best for this recipe. You can make it with diced potatoes as well but I've found that shredded has the best end result.
- Meat - Make this with ground sausage, diced ham, or cooked and crumbled bacon, whichever you prefer! If making with diced ham or crumbled bacon I recommend adding some of the variations I list below the instructions to add more flavor.
- Eggs - Use 10-12 eggs for this recipe, whipped up with some milk with a whisk. You can also use the equivalent amount of egg substitute if you prefer.
- Cheese - I make this breakfast casserole with shredded sharp Cheddar cheese but feel free to experiment and try different varieties to change up the flavor!
- Toppings - you can really get creative with toppings! I go simple with some chopped green onion most of the time but diced bell peppers, salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream are all delicious additions as well.
Step by step
- Spray the crock pot with nonstick cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner.
- Cook and crumble the meat in a large skillet if needed, set aside.
- In your Crock Pot, layer frozen hash browns followed by meat. Pour the egg mixture over the top and then top with cheese.
- Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 2 ½-3 hours.
- Serve with your favorite toppings!
Variations
- Add chopped bell peppers, onions, or even green chiles or jalapeño to the egg mixture
- Stir the hash browns/meat/eggs before topping with cheese to mix the layers
- Use southwestern flavored hash browns to add spice to the egg casserole
- Use maple breakfast sausage for a sweet and savory mix
- Omit the meat and add chopped veggies for a meat-free version
- Top with diced avocado
- Add salt, garlic powder, or dry mustard to taste
- Use colby jack, pepper jack, monterey jack, or another variety of cheese
FAQs
Yes, substitute the same amount of evaporated milk as regular.
You can cook this overnight on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 2 ½-3 hours or until the eggs are set.
I get the best result with this casserole when I make it with a seasoned ground sausage. If making with ham or bacon I suggest adding some additional flavor with the variation suggestions above to avoid a bland result.
Unless you have a very large slow cooker I do not recommend doubling this recipe as it will likely not cook through properly.
Yes! This freezes very well. Let it cook completely then remove to a freezer safe container. You can freeze it in individual portions for a fast grab and go breakfast as well!
Keep leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days. For storing longer I recommend freezing it.
Easily reheat from refrigerated or frozen in the microwave. Start with 1 minute and add 30 second increments until heated through.
If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!
Print
Easy Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole layers hash browns, sausage or ham, eggs, and a generous helping of cheese for an easy breakfast the entire family will love. Let this cook overnight in your Crock Pot or fix it in the morning, either way it's delicious!
Ingredients
- 32 ounce bag of frozen shredded hash browns
- 1 pound ground sausage, ham, or bacon; cooked and crumbled or diced
- 12 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- green onion or salsa (optional)
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add frozen hash browns to the bottom and top with the meat.
- In a large bowl whisk together eggs and milk until blended. Pour over the hash browns and meat.
- Spread shredded cheese over the mixture.
- Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 2 ½-3 hours or until eggs are set.
Notes
- Nutritional information is for casserole made with ground sausage
- For best results, if using ham or bacon add some of the variations below for additional flavor
Variations:
- Add chopped bell peppers, onions, or even jalapeño to the egg mixture
- Stir the hash browns/meat/eggs before topping with cheese to mix the layers
- Use southwestern flavored hash browns to add spice
- Use maple breakfast sausage for a sweet and savory mix
- Omit the meat and add chopped veggies for a meat-free version
Keywords: slow cooker breakfast casserole
This recipe was originally published in September 2011 and updated with additional information and new photos in September 2020.
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 🙂
Kelly L says
Looks yummy - another great recipe to try once I'm off this diet!
I've Become My Mother
Aiming4Simple says
I'd love to try this. Thanks for the inspiration!
starsunflowerstudio says
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::
Pamela says
I use my crock pot a lot, but never for breakfast. I'm eager to try this recipe.
Lady Behind The Curtain says
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!
Amber says
Just discovered you and I think I'm gong to become your newsest blog stalker (in that happy good way of course.)
Pounds4Pennies says
Sounds delicious. I can't wait to try it.
The Stuff of Success says
I make something similar in the oven but I never considered the crockpot - which I do use all the time. What a great idea.
The Doodler says
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
Trish - Sweetology101 says
GENIUS!!!!!!!!! On my menu for SUNDAY...thx!
Kelley @ TheGrantLife.com says
(found ya on a linky party)
I have been looking for a crock pot breakfast idea.. and I found one here! Thank you!
Kelly says
yum, this sounds really good...perfect for fall!
The Answer Is Chocolate says
Yum! This sounds delish.
Lindsay says
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!
The Loops says
This looks so yummy. am way to lazy to cook in the morning so this is the perfect solution!
Shannon, Food Channel Editor, Momtrends.com says
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
Paula says
Delish! Just made it for Christmas morning breakfast!
Erin says
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!
keri @ pressed down, shaken together says
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!
Anonymous says
Do you think we could use bacon instead of the beef?
Denise says
Use whatever meat you want. For vegetarians, just use veggies instead &/or tofu crumbles
Melisa says
Can you prep this and then put it on later in the day?
Stephanie A says
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!
keri @ shaken together says
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 🙂
Liz says
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?
Anonymous says
Wanted to print recipe but takes 10 pages.
Anonymous says
It didnt say how many lbs to use 1 bag refrigerated shredded has potatoes soo pls let me know. Thanks!
Denise says
Is the sausage cooked prior to putting in crockpot?
keri @ shaken together says
Hi Denise - sorry I didn't clarify - YES, brown 1 lb. of sausage 🙂
donna says
am new here. found answers to all my questions but one. what size bag of potatoes? TY
Keri says
Hi Donna - I just updated the recipe - I used a 20 oz. bag of Simply Potatoes. Happy cooking!
Melanie says
2 questions. Does it matter what order you layer? And, how much milk with the eggs. I don't see any cooking directions .
Keri says
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!
CHERYL says
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
Melissa says
I made this Christmas and it was so good we made it again for new year's. Thanks!
★★★★★