Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with Frozen Hashbrowns

This Crockpot breakfast casserole with frozen hashbrowns is a hit with everyone, especially during the holidays. Perfect slow cooker breakfast layered with cheese, bacon and eggs that makes for a hearty brunch or for Christmas morning.

We love breakfast…sometimes we even have it for dinner! I’ve made this easy hashbrown crockpot breakfast casserole recipe to bring to potlucks, for brunch, and have cooked it overnight and served it Christmas morning too! Here’s how you make one of our favorite easy crockpot recipes. 😉 (affiliate links present)

Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole with Frozen Hashbrowns

It’s simple to make slow cooker eggs. They taste great, cook by themselves in your handy dandy slow cooker. I love that thing! If you’re looking for an easy breakfast casserole, you will love this hearty and flavorful crockpot meal.

Yes of course you can use your oven and make our other favorite breakfast casserole Bisquick style, but you probably have that full already. Especially if it is the holidays you likely are prepping all the things for dinnertime. Using another kitchen appliance is a game changer for sure.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

Crockpot Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole

You need all the typical breakfast items like eggs, bacon, cheese and this is a great way of how to cook frozen hash browns. The best thing is though that it cooks all day by itself (love that). I like things that are EASY, and this recipe is definitely that.

It is super flexible depending on your needs and tastebuds too. Love a lot of meat like spicy ground sausage, bacon and maybe some sliced kielbasa? Go ahead and brown that together first in a pan on your stovetop and add that right into one of your layers.

Do I have to thaw frozen hash browns for casserole?

No, it is better if you don’t. They are packaged and meant to be cooked right out of the bag. I will explain the basic directions below but keep in mind that you can swap out this or add that instead. If you’re in need of a dairy free option you can use plain almond milk and dairy free cheeses as well.

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray so it is non stick and easier to clean later. I do not prefer those plastic liners as I don’t think cooking in any sort of plastics are a good idea.

How to Cook Breakfast Casserole in a Slow Cooker

• If you’re using meat you will need to get out a large skillet and heat that over medium high heat. Cook the sausage until no longer pink and about 6 strips of bacon until they are pretty crispy.
  • Add diced ham, sliced sausage links etc… Leave the grease and remove your meat. Set that aside on a plate.
• Add your diced onions right into the bacon grease and saute those until slightly softened, and with now tons of flavor!!
• When the diced onions are done, dice the cooled bacon and shred about 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese. We like sharp but medium would be fine too.
• In a large bowl whisk your eggs and milk together.
• Now you’re ready and start layering. 

Think of it as a breakfast lasagna of sorts. It stays quite well if you are just hanging out all day too. Just remember to turn it off and set to warm. I don’t like to leave it like that much longer than about 1 hour or the eggs will get too firm. Then I unplug and it will be okay for about another hour, from there it should be cooled and stored.

Slow Cooker Breakfast Scramble

1. Start with a layer of hash browns on the bottom of your Crock pot.
2. On top of that sprinkle in your cooked diced bacon
3. Then 1/3 of your shredded cheese, you can add some green onions or diced bell peppers along the way if you want.
4. Spoon in some of the onions that have been sauteed. 
5. Seasonings are added to the top of that layer
   1. dill, garlic salt and pepper are usually what I use
6. Then use just 1/3 of the liquid and pour the egg mixture on top of that layer.
7. Continue with the next layer just the same until your ingredients are gone.
8. Close your lid and set to low for about 5 hours or until your eggs are set. Cooking time will vary if you’re making a larger batch. I personally wouldn’t double this or it may not cook evenly.

I would check at about 4.5 hours to see if it’s ready to serve or you need a bit more time. When eggs are firm enough for your preference scoop slow cooker breakfast casserole out and serve topped with cheese.

Can you use tater tots instead of hashbrowns?

I mean technically they are both frozen potatoes but if you are into texture like I am it just won’t work as well. Tots are meant to be crispy when done. If you use in a casserole they will be soggy and the outside will have a weird mush to them so I wouldn’t in this case.

I like using my smaller pots for this one so it is thicker when served. Take note that it won’t slice into nice and pretty pieces though. Just use a large serving spoon and plop it on your plate with some salsa or hot sauce.

Ingredients

1. Frozen hash browns potatoes and sausage with eggs are the main items
   • we use Simply Potatoes frozen hash browns in the frozen section
2. Eggs will be scrambled and firmed with the heat
3. Milk or dairy-free alternative
4. Cheese – we like sharp cheddar
5. Bacon or packaged real bacon bits works too
   1. breakfast sausage, Italian sausage or ham precooked and diced works too
6. Onions diced are optional
7. Salt and pepper to taste

I don’t like using a slow cooker liner but you could. This is a really easy overnight breakfast casserole recipe you can put together the night before Christmas Day. I also make our Crockpot potato soup with frozen hashbrowns for later in the day with the same bag.

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

I don’t want to cook Christmas morning. I want to get pictures of the joy. That’s why this recipe is great. If you are going to a potluck brunch this is fantastic too and you’ll be asked for the recipe…..you can share. 😉 We have made a Ninja Foodi breakfast version of this too which is great because you can crisp the cheese in the same pot.

And that is how it is done my friends!! If you add anything else that is a great add in into the mix too let us know below. 😉 Planning a Christmas brunch? You may want a few other items to include too like our slow cooker cheesy potatoes are the bomb! A similar idea to this egg dish but with a bit different ingredients and really cheesy!

If you want to pair this with something sweet, our cinnamon roll breakfast casserole uses pie filling to add a bit of sugar. I use refrigerated cinnamon rolls for this to make it even easier.

Can you freeze breakfast casserole?

I have to admit we have never had leftovers so I haven’t had the opportunity to do this. However I believe if you did I would suggest refrigerating what’s left in airtight containers. Then put into a pan, cover and cook with some extra shredded Monterey Jack on top to melt. Feel free to add a bit more breakfast meat too.

Is it better to freeze a breakfast casserole, cooked or uncooked?

I do not think that eggs freeze well raw. The only way I would freeze this is after it was cooked and cooled. It still will have a wet texture when thawed and reheated so I don’t think either method is my favorite but yes it is possible.

How to reheat a breakfast casserole

Use a microwave safe dish. Add 1 serving and cook in 30 second increments until it is warm. Adding a bit of shredded cheese to the top during the last warming would make it even better! Add a dollop of sour cream on top and diced green chiles when serving and enjoy.

Printable recipe card below. It includes nutritional information with protein, saturated fat and other info. It is calculated by the card itself though so unsure of accuracy. Just enjoy people!