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Easy Cheesy Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

easy cheesy crockpot breakfast casserole - featured image

A simple, comforting, and cheesy breakfast casserole made in a slow cooker, perfect for busy mornings. It features eggs, cheddar cheese, sausage, and hash browns, slow-cooked to a tender, custard-like texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole or 2% milk
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz (225 g) breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 bag (20 oz / 570 g) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Non-stick cooking spray or butter for greasing the crockpot

Instructions

  1. Grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker generously with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking. (5 minutes)
  2. Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Drain excess fat and set aside. (10 minutes)
  3. Finely chop the onion and dice the green bell pepper (if using). Sauté them in the sausage pan for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, then let cool slightly. (5 minutes)
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until fully combined and slightly frothy. (3 minutes)
  5. Stir salt, black pepper, and garlic powder into the egg mixture. Fold in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, reserving a handful for topping. (3 minutes)
  6. Add the cooked sausage, sautéed veggies, and thawed shredded hash browns to the egg and cheese mixture. Mix gently but thoroughly until evenly distributed. (4 minutes)
  7. Pour the mixture into the greased crockpot, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the reserved cheese on top for a golden crust. (2 minutes)
  8. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Overnight on LOW is preferred for best flavor and texture. (Hands-off)
  9. Check doneness when eggs are set and no longer jiggly in the center. If too wet, cook an additional 15-30 minutes. (5 minutes)
  10. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before slicing to help it firm up. Serve warm and enjoy! (5 minutes)

Notes

Grease the crockpot well to prevent sticking. Thaw and squeeze excess moisture from hash browns to avoid sogginess. Browning sausage thoroughly adds flavor and prevents greasy pockets. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain temperature. For vegetarian or vegan versions, substitute sausage and cheese accordingly. Cooking times may vary with substitutions. Leftovers reheat well in microwave or oven; add cheese on top and broil briefly for a melty finish.

Nutrition

Keywords: breakfast casserole, crockpot breakfast, cheesy casserole, slow cooker breakfast, easy breakfast, make ahead breakfast, sausage casserole, hash browns, cheesy eggs