Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Our easy Crock pot breakfast casserole with hash browns recipe is a favorite dish next to our Crockpot Potato Soup with Frozen Hashbrowns during the holidays layered with cheese, breakfast sausage and eggs.

I’ve made this 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. 😉

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’s simple to make slow cooker eggs with this too. Yes they taste great made separately, but with this they can be cooked together. I love that thing! If you’re looking for an easy hearty and flavorful first meal of the day this is it.

Similar to our breakfast casserole with Bisquick, but cooked low and slow all day, it requires less prep and tending to. 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.

Ingredient Notes

Frozen hash browns potatoes and sausage with eggs are the main items. We use Simply Potatoes frozen shredded hash browns in the frozen section but there are diced versions that could work too.

Do you thaw frozen hash browns first?

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 will get the best texture overall if you use right out of the freezer, that is what is recommended.

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.

Eggs will be scrambled and firmed with the heat. I always choose organic free range because they have a richer flavor to them (and are healthier in our opinion).

You will want to add a bit of whole or 2% Milk, or if you need to use a dairy-free alternative that is fine too. I would suggest plain cashew milk in that case because it is richer.

As far as shredded Cheddar cheese goes we like sharp but you could certainly use any type you love best (or a mixture of a few).

I really like to make this with crumbled breakfast sausage or Italian sausage, it just needs to be precooked before adding. Jimmy Dean HOT is great if you like some heat.

Variations and Substitutions

Instead of sausage you could use diced up cooked bacon or leftover ham recipe after Thanksgiving or Christmas time because I hate wasting food. I would use about 1 cup or so. If you need this to be dairy free, Daiya has a great option for cheddar my husband enjoys. Plain almond milk would be best for an alternative.

Should you use non stick spray?

Yes I highly suggest that you do spray the inner pot with non stick spray because the eggs tend to stick to the sides if you do not. Some prefer to line it with one of those plastic Crockpot liners but I am anti cooking in plastic myself but do what works for you.

How Long to Cook Breakfast Casserole in Crockpot

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.

How do you know when it is done?

First off the eggs will start to pull away from the sides a bit. There will no longer be a wet center that looks like uncooked egg and if touched gently in the middle it will feel firmed, like a quiche basically.

Tips for Success

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.

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.

Start with a layer of hash browns on the bottom. On top of that sprinkle in your cooked diced bacon Then 1/3 of your shredded cheese, you can add some green onions or diced bell peppers along the way if you want. Spoon in some of the onions that have been sauteed. 

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!

FAQ

Other Breakfast Casserole Recipes You’ll Love

We have made a Ninja Foodi breakfast version of this too which is great because you can crisp the cheese in the same pot. 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.