This CrockPot Breakfast Casserole is eggs, sausage, frozen hashbrowns, and melted cheese all assembled the night before and slow cooked while you sleep. Wake up to a hot hearty breakfast for just $2.29 a serving with zero morning effort.
Christmas morning in our house means this casserole has been cooking overnight in the slow cooker. By the time the kids come downstairs to open presents the whole house smells incredible and breakfast is completely done with nothing left to do.
In a house with 8 kids having a hot hearty breakfast ready the moment everyone wakes up on Christmas morning is one of the best gifts I give myself every year.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Budget Friendly — $13.75 total for a hearty casserole
- Assemble the night before and wake up to breakfast completely done
- Everything cooks together in one slow cooker
- Kid approved every single time — even the pickiest eaters love this combination
This isn’t just a Christmas morning tradition in our house — I make this same crock pot breakfast casserole for weekend brunch, when we have overnight guests, or just for an easy Sunday meal prep. It reheats beautifully, so you always have a hot, hearty breakfast ready to go on busy mornings.
I have been making this breakfast casserole for over 20 years, and it is one of my kids’ favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes. Make sure to also try this Crescent Roll Breakfast Pizza, Sheet Pan Eggs, and Easy Freezer Breakfast Burritos. They are all hearty breakfast options that can feed a hungry family without adding stress to a busy morning.
Ingredients
- Frozen hashbrowns — the starchy base of the casserole. Shredded or diced both work. No thawing needed — they go straight from the freezer into the slow cooker
- Breakfast sausage — cooked and crumbled before adding to the slow cooker. Pork sausage gives the classic breakfast casserole flavor. Turkey sausage works as a lighter substitute. Bacon crumbles work as a delicious alternative
- Eggs — the binding element that holds the casserole together. Always whisk thoroughly before adding for an even consistent texture throughout
- Milk — whisked with the eggs to create a lighter fluffier custard base. Whole milk gives the richest result
- Shredded cheddar cheese — layered throughout and on top for cheesy flavor in every bite. Sharp cheddar gives the boldest flavor. Colby Jack or Monterey Jack give a milder result
- Green onions — sliced and layered throughout for mild onion flavor and a pop of color. Save a few extra slices to sprinkle on top when serving.
- Bell pepper — adds color sweetness and texture. Red or green both work — red gives a slightly sweeter flavor
- Salt and pepper — essential seasoning throughout. Always taste the egg mixture before pouring it over the casserole
How To make Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
Step 1 – Cook Sausage – I use a large skillet to cook the ground sausage first. You can also cook sausage in the slow cooker, if your slow cooker has that option.
Step 2 – Prepare Slow Cooker – We recommend to grease a 6qt slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. You can also use slow cooker liners. Place half of the hash browns and sausage in the slow cooker. Add in onions, cheese and peppers. Repeat layers ending with cheese.
Step 3 – Combine Eggs with seasoning – Whisk eggs, milk, and salt & pepper in a medium bowl.
Step 4 – Pour Egg Mixture – Pour egg mixture over the ingredients in the crock pot.
Step 5 – Cover and Cook – Cook on Low for 7-8 hours or high for 2 ½ – 3 hours.
Step 6 – Serve and Enjoy – This breakfast casserole can be prepared the night before or in the morning. Serve with your favorite sides and toppings for a delicious breakfast.
What Size of Crock Pot to Use?
This breakfast casserole perfect to feed large crowds or a large family. I like to prepare this casserole in a 6-quart crock pot but you can use smaller if you prefer. Make sure to half the ingredients so everything fits.
If doubling this recipe in a large enough slow cooker (like an oval roaster), the cook time typically stays about the same. If halving the recipe or using a smaller slow cooker, use the lower end of the cook time and check for doneness earlier.
Tips for Success
- Use a slow cooker liner. This is the single most important tip for a holiday morning — eggs stick and cleanup without a liner on Christmas morning is miserable. A liner makes cleanup completely instant
- Cook the sausage the night before. Raw sausage goes into the slow cooker as part of the casserole but pre-cooking and draining it removes excess grease that can make the finished casserole greasy and watery
- Do not lift the lid during cooking. Every time the lid is lifted you add 20–30 minutes to the cook time — set it before you go to bed and do not touch it until morning
- Check the eggs before serving. Every slow cooker runs slightly differently — the casserole is done when the eggs are completely set and no longer jiggly in the center
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. A brief rest allows the casserole to set slightly so it scoops cleanly instead of falling apart on the plate
- For a milder onion flavor, sauté the green onions briefly in the pan with the sausage drippings before layering them into the slow cooker.
- Liquid or fat around the edges: A little pooling during cooking is normal, especially with sausage — most of it evaporates as the casserole rests.
- A golden top before the center is done: The top can brown before the eggs are fully set in the middle, especially on high heat. Always check the actual center, not just the appearance of the top.
What to Serve with Breakfast Casserole
Everything you need for breakfast is in the crock pot. You have sausage, eggs and hash browns. You can serve with many different sides and these are some of our favorites.
- Fruit Salad – You really do not need much else but maybe some fresh fruit. We love this Easy Tropical Fruit Salad.
- Biscuits and Gravy – We also love this Biscuits and Gravy Casserole. This recipe is so good and a great addition to your brunch or holiday breakfast.
- Toppings – This breakfast casserole is hearty and filling, but we love to add our favorite toppings. Serve with diced avocado, sour cream, salsa, and diced green onions.
- Smoothie – Learn How to Make a Smoothie with simple ingredients and that pairs perfectly with this casserole.
Great for Weekly Breakfast Meal Prep
This casserole is not just for holidays. Make it on Sunday, portion it into containers, and enjoy a hot, protein packed breakfast all week for less than a drive through breakfast sandwich.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap breakfast sausage for bacon crumbles or diced ham for a different flavor profile
- Use pepper jack instead of cheddar for a spicier version
- Add diced jalapeños for extra heat
- Swap frozen hashbrowns for tater tots for a fun kid-friendly twist
- Add sliced mushrooms or baby spinach for extra vegetables
- Make it dairy free by using plant-based milk and dairy-free cheese
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Refrigerator
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days
Freezer
- Cool completely then freeze in individual portions in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or oven
Reheating
- Microwave individual portions for 60–90 seconds or reheat the whole casserole covered with foil in a 325°F oven for 20–25 minutes until warmed through
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — this recipe is specifically designed to be assembled the night before and cooked on low for 6–8 hours overnight so breakfast is ready the moment you wake up.
The top browning does not necessarily mean the center is done — especially on high heat, the top can look golden well before the eggs are fully set in the middle. Always check the center specifically, not just the appearance of the top.
Yes — peel and shred fresh russet potatoes and squeeze out as much moisture as possible before layering in the bottom of the slow cooker.
You do not have to but it is strongly recommended — eggs stick significantly to slow cooker inserts and cleanup without a liner on a holiday morning is much harder than it needs to be.
Yes — cook on high for 3–4 hours but watch closely since eggs can overcook and become rubbery on high heat. Low and slow overnight gives the best most tender result.
Yes — liquid egg substitutes like Egg Beaters work well in this recipe as a lower-cholesterol option. Use the equivalent of 12 eggs according to the product’s conversion guide.
Yes — in a large 7-8 quart oval slow cooker, double all the ingredients and layer them the same way. The cook time usually stays close to the original 7-8 hours on low, but check the center for doneness, since a deeper casserole can take a little longer to fully set.
A little pooling during cooking is normal, especially with sausage — most of it evaporates as the casserole rests for a few minutes after cooking. If there’s noticeably more than a little, drain the sausage more thoroughly before layering it in next time.
More Breakfast Casserole Recipes
This CrockPot Breakfast Casserole has made Christmas morning in our house so much more enjoyable for years! Hot hearty and completely done before anyone even comes downstairs for just $2.29 a serving. Assemble it the night before and give yourself the gift of a stress-free holiday morning. If you make it leave a star rating and a comment below — I love hearing whether it became your Christmas morning tradition the way it has become ours!
Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 bag Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes (32 oz)
- 1 lb sausage browned and crumbled
- 2 green onions sliced (plus some to top at serving)
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese hand shredded
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 12 Eggs
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
- Grease a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Layer frozen hash brown potatoes and browned sausage in the slow cooker.
- Top with green onion, hand-shredded sharp cheddar cheese, red bell pepper diced, and green bell pepper diced. Repeat the layers with the remaining frozen hash brown potatoes, browned sausage, green onion, hand-shredded sharp cheddar cheese, red bell pepper diced, and green bell pepper diced, ending with the cheese on top.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Pour egg mixture over the ingredients in the crock pot.
- Cook on Low for 7-8 hours or high for 2 ½ – 3 hours.
Could we substitute Egg Beaters for the eggs in this recipe? My daughter is problems with her triglycerides.
Just wanted to know if you can use package d cheese
Yes you can.
I want to take out the potatoes and use cauliflower rice instead. Will this work. Thanks
I haven’t tried that yet so I can’t say for sure. However, I think the cauliflower rice will cook faster than the potatoes so it might get over cooked in the crock pot with this recipe.
If we cut the recipe in half would we cook it for the same amount of time?
I would use the lower end of the cook time if you cut the recipe in half.
Just came upon your recipe and looks tasty and would like to try for dinner tonight and was wondering if I could substitute fresh grated potatoes for the frozen ones as thats all I have right now..thanks
Yes, those would work great in this recipe!
It is delicious!!!!
Great to hear – thanks for sharing!