Crockpot Breakfast Casserole is the right breakfast recipe to feed a hungry crowd, or make for meal prep. Tacky, hearty, and fingers OFF!

The vacations are steeped in custom for my household. Whether or not it’s Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving we at all times kick issues off with a scoop of scorching and hearty Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, plus a pan of Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls and bottomless mimosas.

Heck we even schedule our household’s birthday celebrations round brunch time so we are able to serve this simple crock pot breakfast casserole as the principle occasion. It’s a CINCH to assemble, feeds a military, and is dearly beloved by all.

I imply simply have a look at these crispy, tacky bits! #drool

Whether or not you’re searching for a hearty breakfast to feed a big group for the vacations, function BFD (my youngsters LOVE this!) or for make-ahead breakfasts all week lengthy, this gradual cooker breakfast casserole covers all of it.

Watch The way to Make It

Components Wanted

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole requires a handful of on a regular basis substances which can be layered within the crock pot earlier than pushing on. So, so easy. The recipe is of course gluten free and versatile too. Right here’s what you’ll want:

1. Frozen shredded hash browns: I like Ore Ida model, which is gluten free and holds up effectively to gradual cooking. No must thaw them or something earlier than tossing into the crock pot.
2. Breakfast sausage: I like Jimmy Dean model which, once more, is gluten free. Be happy to make use of the maple or spicy varieties, although I at all times go along with the basic delicate breakfast sausage.
3. Shredded cheeses: Each shredded cheddar cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese guarantee every chunk of this breakfast casserole is satisfying and completely irresistible.
4. Inexperienced onions: Sliced inexperienced onions present a pop of colour and taste to this dish. Be happy to slice up a number of additional to high every bowl with.
5. Milk: No matter you’ve received available. I’ve used all the things from unsweetened almond milk to complete milk.
6. Eggs: Can’t have breakfast casserole with out it! I like to recommend utilizing giant, in-shell eggs vs an egg product.
7. Salt and Pepper. ‘Nuf mentioned!

Variations

Clearly it is a suuuuper basic breakfast casserole recipe – potatoes, meat, and cheese. That mentioned, it’s very simple to customise. Listed below are some concepts:

• Swap up the meat. Use bacon or diced ham as an alternative of sausage, or veggie crumbles to maintain this recipe vegetarian. Costco has massive luggage of pre-crumbled cooked bacon which can be truly very prime quality!
• Add veggies. Diced bell peppers and onions, sauteed mushrooms, and even inexperienced chiles, can be a scrumptious addition to the inexperienced onion layer of the breakfast casserole.
• Select a distinct cheese. Smoked gouda, fontina, colby jack, monterey jack, or pepper jack cheeses would all be scrumptious in right here.

What Measurement Crock Pot To Use

As written, this gradual cooker breakfast recipe will fill a 6-quart crock pot and feed 8-10 hungry of us. Many individuals have efficiently halved this recipe utilizing a smaller crock pot – you’ll simply want to scale back cooking time a bit.

This recipe is nice as a result of you may prepare dinner it in a single day on LOW for 8-9 hours, or prepare dinner on HIGH for 4 hours. Have somebody flip it on within the morning once they get up and get espresso began, and the breakfast casserole will probably be prepared by brunch time!

Nice for Meal Prep

What I particularly love about this recipe is that it reheats fantastically so you may scoop particular person parts of the cooked casserole into glass storage containers then reheat within the microwave every morning for an almost prompt, protein packed breakfast.

My center youngster loves a scorching and hearty breakfast vs chilly cereal, so he will get very excited when I’ve this breakfast casserole available to warmth up for his breakfast — and even as an after college snack.

Finest Suggestions for Success

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole isn’t rocket science — layer the substances right into a crock pot then flip it on. BUT, after making this recipe numerous instances over time, I do have a number of ideas for fulfillment!!

1. A browned high isn’t indicative of a cooked heart. Particularly if you prepare dinner it on excessive, the casserole may seem accomplished primarily based on the browned look of the highest after even 2 hours. However the heart gained’t be cooked throughout so maintain (gradual) cooking!
2. Spray the perimeters of the crock pot very effectively with nonstick cooking spray earlier than including the substances to make sure every scoop comes out cleanly.
3. OR, use a gradual cooker liner to make clear up a breeze. My Mother normally does this.

What to Serve with Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Though it’s fully scrumptious and satisfying all on it’s personal, we wish to serve Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with a toppings bar together with:

• Chopped recent inexperienced onions
• Salsa
• Bacon bits (what can I say we go massive)
• Sliced or diced avocado (LOVE the combo of eggs and avocado)
• Pickled jalapenos

A recent fruit salad and pan of Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls are at all times close by too!

How To Make Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Begin by spraying a 6-quart crock pot with nonstick spray then unfold frozen shredded hash browns in a fair layer on the underside. Like I mentioned, I choose Ore Ida as a result of the standard could be very constant.

Subsequent add a layer of browned and drained breakfast sausage. You possibly can brown/drain/refrigerate the breakfast sausage a number of days forward of time.

The following layer is equal quantities of shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese, adopted by a flavorful layer of chopped inexperienced onions.

Repeat the hash brown, sausage, and cheese layers yet another time then whisk eggs with milk, salt, and pepper and pour the egg combination evenly excessive of the casserole.

Pop the lid on high then prepare dinner for 4 hours on HIGH, or 8 hours on LOW, or till the highest of the breakfast casserole is golden brown, and the middle is about.

Take a look at these layers of taste!!

Storage Suggestions

Be happy to dig into the crockpot egg casserole as quickly as its accomplished, then high together with your favourite toppings (or not, should you’re a purist) and dig in! Like I mentioned although, this casserole reheats tremendous effectively. Right here’s what to do:

• To retailer: Scoop particular person sized parts of leftovers into glass storage containers with lids then refrigerate for 3-4 days.
• To reheat: Microwave particular person sized parts for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway by way of, or till warmed by way of. I like to interrupt the news of breakfast casserole up a bit earlier than microwaving to make sure it reheats evenly.
• To freeze: Freeze particular person sized parts in freezer-safe containers. Microwave at 50% energy for 1-1/2 minutes then stir and proceed microwaving till meals is warmed by way of.

That’s all she wrote! Whether or not you serve this scorching and hearty breakfast casserole in your subsequent vacation get collectively, or weekend brunch – I hope you find it irresistible – take pleasure in!

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Photographs by Ashley McLaughlin