CrockPot Breakfast Casserole

There’s a lot to do when you’re prepping for a holiday brunch—and spending all morning cooking your meal shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why I LOVE this CrockPot breakfast casserole. This is one of those recipes everyone needs in their back pocket for brunches, potlucks, and other get-togethers because it’s incredibly simple to prepare and, by definition, it must be made in advance. Game changer! (This Slow Cooker Spiced Coconut Steel Cut Oatmeal is another amazing make-ahead breakfast.)

Just layer the ingredients in your CrockPot the night before, set it, and wake up to a house filled with the irresistible aroma of a fully cooked, hearty breakfast. With a combination of eggs, melty cheese, savory meats, and tender potatoes, you get lots of flavor and texture in every bite. This is a breakfast you’ll spend all night looking forward to!

Although I’d say the ingredients in this recipe are pretty crowd-pleasing, they can also be customized to suit your family’s tastes—add some different veggies or cheeses to make it your own. Whether you make it as-is or come up with your own variations, this one’s going to be a keeper!

Ingredients for CrockPot Breakfast Casserole

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

• Frozen hash brown potatoes – Shredded or diced will both work in this recipe, so use whichever you prefer.
• Cheese – I use a combination of cheddar and Colby jack or pepper jack, which adds a little bit of zippiness.
• Bulk sausage – Or breakfast sausage with the casings removed. 
• Ham steak – Or leftover ham, if you happen to have some. (This Bourbon Honey Baked Ham would be great!)
• Vegetables – I add a lot! Onion, red and orange bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, and spinach.
• Seasonings – Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground pepper. 
• Large eggs – You can’t have a breakfast casserole without eggs!
• Half and half – To create a creamy custard with the eggs, binding everything together.
• Grated Parmesan cheese, green onion and parsley – Optional garnishes.

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How to Make CrockPot Breakfast Casserole

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to making this delicious and hearty CrockPot breakfast casserole.

1. Start layering. Add the hash browns to the bottom of a slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle half the cheddar over the top.
2. Cook the sausage. Brown it in a skillet set over medium heat, then transfer it to a bowl or plate. Remove all but a tablespoon of fat from the skillet.
3. Cook the ham. Next, add the ham to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the sausage.
4. Sauté the vegetables. Cook the onion until it’s softened, then add bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and spinach. Stir in the Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
5. Finish the meat and veggie mixture. Return the sausage and ham to the pan, stir, then remove from heat. Spread this into the slow cooker over the potatoes and cheese.
6. Make the custard. Whisk the eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and half and half. Pour over the casserole.
7. Cook. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the casserole and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 
8. Serve. Let the breakfast casserole rest uncovered for 15 minutes, then garnish with Parmesan, green onion, and parsley, if desired.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to ensure your casserole turns out perfect every time.

• Grease the slow cooker insert. Or use a liner for easy cleanup. Either way, this is a casserole that will bake onto the sides and bottom, so you want to keep that from happening. No one wants to spend all afternoon scrubbing a CrockPot!
• Layer the ingredients evenly. This will ensure everyone gets a little bit of every ingredient in their portion.
• Don’t peek. Every time you remove the lid, you release heat and increase the cooking time. Resist the temptation!

Variations and Substitutions

Here are some variations to try when making for this CrockPot breakfast casserole.

• Swap the ham for bacon. Either Canadian bacon or regular bacon can be used in place of the diced ham. Cook them after browning the sausage.
• Try different cheeses. Feel free to experiment with other types of cheese such as Swiss, feta, or gouda. Whatever you like!
• Make it Tex-Mex style. Add some heat to your casserole by including Quick Pickled Jalapeños, swapping the mushrooms for rinsed and drained canned black beans, and serving with salsa.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Transfer any leftover CrockPot breakfast casserole to an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 2 months—just thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating. 

Reheat in a 350°F oven for the best results, as this helps to maintain the casserole’s texture and taste. Alternatively, for a quicker option, you can microwave individual portions until heated through.

What to Serve With CrockPot Breakfast Casserole

• Banana Blueberry Muffins
• Fruit Cocktail
• Strawberry Bread
• Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
• Easy Buttermilk Biscuits
• Fall Fruit Salad

More CrockPot Recipes

• Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
• CrockPot Applesauce
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
• Easy CrockPot Butter Chicken
• Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup