Thanksgiving is steeped in tradition for my family. Every year we kick things off by watching the Macy’s parade with a cold mimosa in one hand and a Cinnamon Roll in the other before losing our minds over an intense game of Scrabble or Hearts. My Mom’s traditional Thanksgiving feast is eventually served then we all snooze by the fire watching football.
Not mad about it!
Before the bubbly is even popped though, each person takes a huge scoop of Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole, which my Mom always has hot, ready, and waiting for when we all start trickling in through the door.
Forget Folgers, the best part of waking up on Thanksgiving day is a scoop of breakfast casserole in your cup bowl!
Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast to feed a large group for the holidays, a warming and filling tailgating recipe, or simply a crowd pleasing breakfast to feed the whole family, this slow cooker breakfast casserole is just the dish you’re looking for. It is to die for!!
Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole with hash browns is so good and easy, we plan all our family’s special occasions/get togethers around breakfast/brunch time, just so I can serve it. Birthdays, holidays, you name it – they’re all being celebrated in the morning because this dish is such a crowd pleaser and a cinch to assemble with everyday ingredients.
Ingredients Needed
- Frozen shredded hash browns: I like Ore Ida brand, which are gluten free. No need to thaw them or anything before tossing into the crock pot.
- Breakfast sausage: I like Jimmy Dean brand which, again, is gluten free at the time of this writing. Feel free to use the maple or spicy varieties, though we always go with the classic mild breakfast sausage.
- Shredded cheese: Both shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses ensure that each bite of this breakfast casserole is satisfying and totally irresistible.
- Green onions: Sliced green onions provide a pop of color and flavor to this dish. Some are slow cooked into the egg, hash brown, and cheese layers, while others are scattered on top of your bowl as a fresh finish before digging in.
- Milk: whatever you’ve got on hand.
- Eggs: Can’t have breakfast casserole without it!
- Salt and Pepper.
What Size Crock Pot To Use
As written, this slow cooker breakfast recipe will fill a 6 quart crock pot and feed 8-10 hungry folks. Many people have successfully halved this recipe using a smaller crock pot – you’ll just need to reduce cooking time a bit.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Although it is completely delicious and satisfying all on it’s own, we like to serve Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole with a toppings bar including:
- Chopped fresh green onions
- Salsa
- Bacon bits (what can I say we go big)
- Diced avocado
- Pickled jalapenos
A fresh fruit salad and pan of Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls are always nearby too.
How Long to Slow Cook It
This egg breakfast casserole cooks on LOW for eight hours, or HIGH for 4 hours. I like to assemble/layer the ingredients in the crock the night before our get together, then drizzle the eggs over the top and pop the crock onto the base before turning it on in the morning. Easy!
How To Make Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Start by spraying a 6-quart crock pot with non stick spray then spread shredded hash browns in an even layer on the bottom. Like I said, I prefer Ore Ida because the quality is so consistent, plus they’re gluten free.
Next add a layer of browned and drained breakfast sausage (I like Jimmy Dean.) You can brown/drain/refrigerate the breakfast sausage several days ahead of time.
The next layer is equal amounts of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
Followed by a flavorful layer of fresh green onions.
Repeat the hash brown, sausage, and cheese layers one more time then whisk eggs with milk, salt, and pepper and pour the mixture evenly over the casserole.
Pop the lid on top then cook for 4 hours on HIGH, or 8 hours on LOW.
That’s all she wrote! This crockpot breakfast casserole will keep well with the crock pot set to “warm”, and any leftovers you have reheat perfectly in the microwave for day after serving. Whenever and however you serve it, I hope you love this easy, crock pot breakfast casserole recipe – enjoy!
More Breakfast Casserole Recipes You’ll Love
- Roasted Poblano and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Breakfast Taco Casserole
- Gluten Free Breakfast Casserole
- Sausage Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole
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Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Description
Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole is the perfect breakfast recipe to feed a hungry crowd. Cheesy, hearty, and hands OFF!
Ingredients
- 30oz frozen shredded hash browns (I like Ore-Ida)
- 1lb breakfast sausage, browned and drained (I like Jimmy Dean)
- 8oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 8oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 green onions, sliced and divided in half
- 12 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
- Spray a 6-quart crock pot with non-stick spray then place half the hash browns into the bottom. Layer in half the cooked sausage, half of each kind of cheese, and half the green onions. Repeat the hash brown, sausage, and cheese layers.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper, then pour evenly over the top. Cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 8 hours, or until eggs are set. Serve with remaining green onions, salsa, or guacamole.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
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I just made something similar to this last weekend! It didn’t turn out, though :( I cooked it 7 hours on low overnight and it got all dried up… and crispy on the sides. My 4 year old niece said it best when she looked at it and said “that looks yucky”. I’m not sure what I did wrong but I want to give your version a shot! Maybe my crock pot just cooks too hot….
Your Thanksgiving routine looks so relaxing and wonderful! We are tackling three parties. Lots of energy required!
Love the Ziplist thing! How convenient- your so up with the times and technology ;)
OMG you just made my Thanksgiving morning!!! This is HAPPENING, along with Pinch of Yum’s chocolate glazed baked mini donuts. Seriously, let’s just forget dinner …
Omg!!! Looks amazing!!!
This breakfast casserole looks great and I love that you have partnered with Ziplist to make it easier to save the recipes that I love (and I sure have a lot of them). I usually have to go into your site and search….thanks a bunch!
Ha, ha, awesome! I was just pondering what on earth I was going to do for Thanksgiving breakfast… and its gonna be this! Yay!
I am loving the addition of ZipList. I definitely need more organization in my life. My computer thanks you too! :)
A couple of questions….
-Do you think it would work with egg substitute?
-Do you use crock pot liners?
Neither my Mom nor I have tried, but if you do, I think it might take a little less time (just a hunch?!) Also, I don’t use CP liners, but you certainly can!
I almost did a crock pot breakfast casserole last Christmas but I wasn’t sure how eggs would do in the slow cooker. Glad to see this turned out. I may need to give it a try!
This would also be perfect for Christmas morning! Love the new feature too!
the Apple Chicken recipe is linked to the Save Recipe button on the breakfast casserole – at least that’s what it says every time i try to save the breakfast casserole recipe. Thanks
Hey B – good catch! I see that too. A work-around is to make sure you’re clicked into the individual post (http://iowagirleats.com/2012/11/13/crock-pot-breakfast-casserole/) then try hitting save. I’ll let the people at ZipList know!
Yep. This is happening. We open gifts with my parents Christmas morning & it never fails that we all get the munchies & my mom feels like she needs to whip up breakfast even though she’s always prepping for dinner for our extended family later in the day. This year, I’m going to do this so she doesn’t have to think twice about it!
Thanks for sharing!
thanks for sharing! sounds delish!
Wow that looks great for the weekend!
Such a great idea! I tend to get stuck in a soup rut with my crockpot most of the time. It’s so convenient though I REALLY need to start making other meals with it!
I’m so glad you posted a recipe like this. I’ve seen these breakfast crockpot things all over Pinterest and was curious as to how it would turn out. Looks delish!
This looks soooo delicious, I want to make (and by that I mean eat) it asap! Any recommendations for a similar recipe for potato-haters?
Ther is such a thing as a potato hater? You made that up!
There is a recipe somewhere for this but using buttered slices of bread. I think i googled it http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/12/overnight-sausage-and-egg-casserole/
I’ve made a variation of this casserole a number of times. I like to saute some onion and garlic to add to it. And when I a am feeling really decadent, I use sausage AND bacon!!
And I LOVE Ziplist — I’ve been using them for a long time now. I’ve stored quite a few of your recipes in my recipe box.
Oh, I meant to add that I cook the casserole overnight on low. Talk about waking up to the smell of yummy breakfast!!
This sounds delicious!! Thank you for sharing! Is there a way to cook on low so that you can cook it overnight?
It says you can cook it on low for 8 hours = overnight.You could always put everything together in the crock ahead of time and then put it in the fridge (keep covered). When you’re ready to go to bead, pop it into the crock pot cooker and set it on low, but give it an extra hour’s time because all the ingredients will be chilled, including the crock. If you want it ready for 9 a.m., put it on at midnight. If you want it ready for 7 a.m., turn it on at 10 pm. Adjust as needed.