Imagine waking up to the rich, comforting aroma of savory sausage, melted cheese, and perfectly seasoned eggs gently cooking in your kitchen. This Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate lazy weekend breakfast or holiday morning savior, allowing you to prep everything ahead of time and let your crockpot do all the heavy lifting. There is nothing quite like skipping the early morning kitchen rush and sitting down to a hot, hearty meal with your loved ones. Whether you are hosting a festive brunch, feeding a hungry family, or simply meal prepping for a busy week ahead, this versatile dish is guaranteed to satisfy everyone at the table. It is incredibly easy to customize with your favorite veggies or meats, making it a reliable staple you will return to season after season.
Helpful Tips
- For the best texture, ensure your frozen hash browns are fully thawed and patted dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture.
- If you want a crispy top, you can carefully transfer the slow cooker insert to the oven and broil it for 2 to 3 minutes at the very end, provided your insert is oven-safe.
- To make this vegetarian, substitute the sausage with a mix of sauteed mushrooms, spinach, and black beans.
- For a spicy kick, add diced jalapenos or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture, and serve with hot sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground sausage and diced onion until the sausage is browned and fully cooked, crumbling it as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
- Grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker generously with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread half of the thawed hash browns into the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by half of the cooked sausage and onion mixture, and half of the diced red bell peppers.
- Sprinkle half of the Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the layer.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining hash browns, sausage mixture, red bell peppers, and half of the remaining cheese.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the eggs are set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- During the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover, and let it melt.
- Garnish with fresh chopped chives before slicing and serving hot.
Ingredients
- 1 package (30 oz) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 lb ground pork sausage (breakfast style)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 12 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Fresh chopped chives for garnish
Shopping List
- Meat: 1 lb ground pork sausage
- Produce: 1 medium onion, 1 red bell pepper, 1 bunch fresh chives
- Dairy & Eggs: 12 large eggs, 1/2 cup whole milk, 16 oz shredded Cheddar cheese, 8 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Frozen: 1 package (30 oz) frozen shredded hash browns
- Pantry: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, non-stick cooking spray
Equipment Needed
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Variations & Serving Ideas
Serve this hearty slow cooker casserole hot, topped with fresh salsa, sliced avocado, or a drizzle of sriracha for an extra kick of flavor. It pairs beautifully with a fresh fruit salad, light green salad, or some toasted English muffins on the side. To store leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze individual portions wrapped in foil for up to 3 months. Reheat slices in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or in a 350 degree oven until warmed through.
We hope this comforting slow cooker breakfast casserole brings warmth and ease to your mornings! Please let us know how your casserole turned out by leaving a comment and rating below; we love hearing your feedback and creative twists!
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