Crockpot Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast—warm, hearty, and loaded with protein-packed ingredients like hash browns, sausage, eggs, and cheese.
Wake up to a slow-cooked, savory dish that’s ready the moment your feet hit the floor. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or fueling a busy weekday morning, this recipe makes life easier and tastier.
Recipe Highlights
- Cooks overnight: There’s nothing better than waking up to a hot, homemade breakfast that’s already done. Just toss everything in the slow cooker the night before and let it work its magic while you sleep.
- High-protein and filling: With ingredients like eggs, sausage, and cheese, this dish is rich in protein and keeps you full for hours. It’s a great way to start your day with energy and without a mid-morning crash.
- Easy to customize: Whether you’re working with what’s in the fridge or catering to picky eaters, this recipe is incredibly flexible. Swap in your favorite meats, cheeses, or veggies to make it your own.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prep everything the night before, so you can enjoy a stress-free morning. It’s perfect for holidays, busy weekdays, or when you’re hosting overnight guests.
- Great for any meal: Who says this is just for breakfast? It makes an excellent breakfast-for-dinner option and works well as a main dish for brunch gatherings or potlucks.
Simple Ingredient Swaps for Breakfast Casserole
One of the things I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is. The hash browns and eggs are kind of a must, but beyond that, you can easily swap things out based on your family’s preferences (and what you have in the fridge)!
- Swap out the meat: The recipe calls for sausage, but you could easily swap that out with ham or bacon or even leave out all the meat if you prefer. Or maybe even try a combination of meats – ham, bacon, and sausage all taste great together!
- Swap the cheese: The original recipe calls for mozzarella and Parmesan, but you can use any cheese you want! We really like a combination of cheddar and mozzarella, but you can use all cheddar. Or Swiss. Or Monterey Jack. Or pretty much any combination of cheese you like better.
- Swap the veggies: I love the sun-dried tomatoes and green onions in this recipe, but you can leave them out and go veggie-free if you prefer. Or add as many veggies as you want. Add peppers, onions, mushrooms… all great in this recipe!
Ingredients in Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
- Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes: You’ll need a bag of hash browns that is between 26 and 32 ounces. No need to thaw the hash browns before adding them to the casserole.
- Pork sausage: I usually use plain pork sausage, but you can use Italian sausage or maple sausage. Or leave the sausage out altogether. Or swap in bacon or ham…or a combination of all 3!
- Mozzarella and Parmesan: These cheeses go so well in this recipe, but you can use any kind of cheese or combination of cheeses you prefer. We love cheddar in this recipe!
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These come in a jar, typically found near the olives at the store. Usually on the top shelf! I love the flavor and texture of these tomatoes!
- Green onions: Green onions add a perfect flavor to the breakfast casserole, but you can use a different variety of onion if you prefer. Just make sure they are finely chopped before adding to the recipe.
- Eggs: Can’t forget the eggs! Holds everything together and adds a significant amount of protein to the recipe.
- Milk: Use 2% because that’s what we have in the refrigerator, but pretty much any type of milk will work fine.
- Salt and pepper: Add the perfect amount of seasoning to the breakfast casserole.
Helpful Tips
- Feeding a crowd? This recipe comfortably serves 10, but you can easily double it if your slow cooker is large enough. It’s great for family reunions, brunch buffets, or holiday mornings.
- Want to use fresh potatoes? Grate your own and soak in cold water to remove excess starch. This helps the potatoes cook properly without getting gummy. Be sure to dry them thoroughly with paper towels before layering them into the casserole.
- No sausage? No problem. Try diced ham, cooked bacon, or even go vegetarian by skipping the meat altogether. You can also use a combination of meats for a meat-lovers’ version.
- Add more veggies: Bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or even zucchini make great additions. Just be sure to sauté or drain moisture-heavy vegetables first to avoid a soggy casserole.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick breakfast or warm larger portions in the oven at 300°F until heated through.
You can also freeze slices for up to 2 months. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave for a make-ahead breakfast option.
Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pkg frozen shredded hash browns (26-32 oz)
- 1 lb pork sausage browned and crumbled
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes drained and diced (from jar, packed in oil)
- 6 green onions finely chopped
- 12 eggs
- ½ cups milk
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Spray a large (6 quart) slow cooker with cooking spray. Layer half of the hash browns on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Top with half of the sausage, mozzarella, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes and green onion. Repeat layers.
- Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl with a wire whisk until well blended.
- Pour evenly over potato-sausage mixture.
- Cook on low for 8 hours and on high for 4 hours (or until eggs are set).
Nutrition
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What to Serve with Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
This casserole is filling on its own, but if you’re serving guests or making a special breakfast, pair it with a few simple sides:
- Fresh fruit or fruit salad – Adds a refreshing and colorful contrast to the rich casserole.
- A smoothie or yogurt parfait – Offers a lighter, creamy option with added nutrition and variety.
- Toast or biscuits – Great for soaking up the extra egg and cheese, and perfect if you want to round out the meal.
- Muffins or sweet rolls – Provide a sweet counterpart to the savory main dish.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Prep everything the night before and refrigerate the crockpot insert (if it’s removable). In the morning, just place it in the base and start cooking.
What size crockpot should I use?
A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal. If using a smaller one, reduce the ingredient amounts to avoid overfilling.
Can I bake this in the oven instead?
Absolutely. Pour the assembled ingredients into a greased 9×13″ baking dish and bake at 350°F for 45–55 minutes, or until the center is set.
Can I skip the cheese or milk?
Yes, though it may slightly alter the texture. You can also use dairy-free cheese and milk alternatives to accommodate dietary needs.
Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole recipe is ready when you are! High protein breakfast recipe made in the crockpot with eggs, cheese, and sausage. Only takes a few minutes to put together and feeds a large crowd!
Lisalia says
Awesome! I can’t wait to have breakfast that makes itself and is ready to go when I wake up! This looks delicious. My kids are excited to have it too!
wilhelmina says
This was a huge hit this weekend for our family brunch! So delicious and I love how easy it was to make. Great recipe!