CrockPot Breakfast Casserole is perfect for holiday and busy mornings. Tender potatoes, fluffy eggs, and savory sausage cook up overnight in the slow cooker, so you can wake up to a delicious, healthy breakfast!
Overnight CrockPot Breakfast Casserole
This crock pot breakfast casserole is my go-to when I have company staying at my home. I don’t want my guests to miss out on the most important meal of the day! The eggs cook up light and fluffy all around the ingredients, so it’s basically a giant omelette once it’s all baked. This breakfast casserole is so easy to whip up the night before and then let the slow cooker do the work while we all sleep. Then guests are greeted to fragrant breakfast smells first thing in the morning and you get all the credit for serving a delicious breakfast. It’s so great for Christmas Eve, busy Sunday mornings or anytime you want a big family breakfast but don’t want all the fuss.
How Long to Cook this Breakfast Casserole
If your crockpot cooks hot or if you have an oval one (like the one pictured above) it may only take six hours on low. A smaller, round crockpot may take the full 8 hours to cook through the center. So, you may have to stay up a little late the night before to start the cooking process. But if you’re like me, it’s way easier to stay up late and visit with company than it is to wake up early and make a big breakfast. To make clean up even easier try using a crockpot/slow cooker liner! I love these liners from Amazon.
Variations on the Recipe – More Ingredients to Try
Our recipe for CrockPot Breakfast Casserole is a very flavorful with the simple ingredients we use. We love it this way, but we have also tried some variations depending on what we are in the mood for and what we have on hand.
- Potatoes: I love using the Potatoes O’Brien because they are already chopped and they come with red and green bell peppers. This just speeds up the process for me and makes this recipe even easier. However, you can really use any frozen hash brown variation. You can even use fresh grated potatoes, but the casserole will cook up a lot quicker with fresh as opposed to frozen.
- Meat: I like using sausage links because it is what my family prefers, but you can use any breakfast meat you have on hand! It just needs to be cooked first. Feel free to use sausage, bacon, turkey bacon, or ham. If meat isn’t your thing, you can use meat substitutes, or no meat at all!
- Veggies: If you’ve got it in the fridge, it can go in this recipe (almost, haha). We’ve used peppers, onions, green onions, mushrooms, spinach, kale, green chiles, zucchini, tomatoes, and asparagus, just to name a few. If you can find it on a omelette bar, chances are it will taste delicious in this recipe!
- Cheese: Cheddar is an obvious breakfast choice, but you can change it up! Any cheese that melts well will work. We’ve used Swiss, mozzarella, pepper jack, Monterey jack, and Colby jack before. They’ve all been great!
- Toppings: Everyone in my family likes topping this casserole with something different. We’ve tried ketchup, sour cream and salsa, sriracha, avocado, chives, cheese, and Tobasco, just to name a few. Whatever you top this with, we know you will love it!
Popular Combinations
Still looking for ideas to make this casserole your own? Try some of our most popular combinations.
- Denver Style: Cubed ham, green peppers, onion, and cheddar cheese
- California Style: Bacon, tomatoes, peppers, onion, topped with lots and lots of avocado
- Meat Lovers: Bacon, sausage, and ham
- Mushroom and Swiss: Spinach, mushrooms, Swiss cheese
- Garden Delight: Peppers, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach
- Italian: Pancetta, red bell peppers, mozzarella
- Southwest: Green chiles, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, top with avocado, salsa, and sour cream
What to Serve with CrockPot Breakfast Casserole
This casserole is a terrific all-in-one dish, so you could serve it alone with some toppings and a side of fruit. For a big breakfast or brunch, you can also pair it with our Make Ahead Breakfast Parfaits, our rich Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake or a batch of the BEST Blueberry Muffins.
More Breakfast Recipes You Will Love
Try a few more of our favorite recipes for your next breakfast or brunch. Check out our list of 25+ Breakfast Ideas or see some of our favorites below!
- Easy Breakfast Casserole
- California Breakfast Casserole
- Yogurt Pancakes with Homemade Syrup
- Breakfast Monte Cristos
- Best Breakfast Burritos
- Easy Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
How to Make CrockPot Breakfast Casserole
CrockPot Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
- Crock Pot Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 12-15 breakfast sausage links
- 12 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 pounds potatoes o’brien (hash browns with diced onions and peppers)
- 1 tomato diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Brown sausage links in a large skillet until cooked through and cut into pieces. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Add salt and pepper.
- Spray crockpot with cooking spray and layer the cut up sausage, potatoes o'brien, tomato, and cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the top. Stir everything together.
- Cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. The oval crock pots like the one shown may cook faster than the typical round crock pots. Try to aim for the 6 hour mark if using one like this.
Video
Nutrition Information
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Can this be cooked on high for three hours, or will that change the finished product? Looks tasty, but I don’t love the cook time unless I make breakfast for dinner…
We haven’t tried cooking it on high but I am sure it will turn out fine. I would actually check it after 2 hours if cooking on high and then extend the time as needed. Hope this helps!
How many does this recipe serve? Planning to make it soon and I’m just curious.
This recipe serves up to 12 people. If I’m serving 12, I serve it with a side of fruit or muffins. It will provide a large serving, or give options for seconds, to 6 to 8 people. I hope this is helpful!
Do I have to add potatoes?
This recipe is based around having potatoes in it. I haven’t tested it without, so I can’t say for sure.
If making for just 2 people, could I halve the recipe, and if so, how long would you cook?
If you halve this recipe, it will take much less time to cook since there won’t be as much of it in the crock pot. My guess is that this would only need to cook between 3 1/2 to 4 hours, but you will want to keep a close eye on it. Cooking times can vary depending on the size, style, and brand of your crock pot. Since this kind of defeats the purpose of cooking something overnight for breakfast the next morning, you may want to try it for dinner one night before making it for breakfast. 🙂
I would like to know thoughts about making MORE than this recipe. I have the oval cooker – and lots of eaters 🙂 Do you think you could double this (or 1.5) and cook a little longer ? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Yes! I have a large slow cooker and I have doubled this recipe before. Just plan on a longer cook time.
If I was to make this and leave on overnight for 6 hours on low for Christmas morning. We usually don’t eat til 9:30 , I would have to turn it on around 3am for it to be done around 9 then it would kick to warm? How long can you leave on warm before It would dry out? Any suggestions on how to cook this? Thanks
It can stay on warm for a couple of hours. If you aren’t eating until 9:30, you could also make our oven-baked breakfast casserole. You can make up the casserole the night before, store it in the fridge, and then it cooks for about an hour in the morning. See the recipe here: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/elises-breakfast-casserole_21/ hope this helps!
Do you need to thaw the potatoes or just add them frozen?
Add them frozen. Thanks for asking!
Will this work in an instapot slow cooker?
It should, as long as the bowl is big enough!
Can I use cooked ground breakfast sausage instead ?
Sure!
This Crockpot Breakfast Casserole is a perfect make-ahead breakfast recipe! We had this for breakfast/brunch today and it was such a hit! I’m so glad I found your site when I was looking for a good recipe, I’m looking forward to more new great recipes.
Two of my favorite concepts my slow cooker and a breakfast casserole! I am so excited to give this a try!!!
YUM! This sounds incredibly delicious! The perfect way to start the day!
This is the best! Breakfast is our favorite meal at our household but we are always rushed and so busy on the weekdays and want to sleep in on the weekends. So this is perfect for us!
Can you cut up potatoes into cubes instead of using hashbrown .
Yep! You sure can!
how about with egg whites
I haven’t tried this recipe with just egg whites, so I am not sure how it would turn out. Let us know how it goes if you do try it!
Best recipe ever!! Breakfast casseroles are my favorite & making it in the crock pot, makes it an even better recipe! So tasty!
This is so simple and such a lifesaver on the weekend! The whole family loves it.
I cook so many things in my slow cooker overnight but I never thought to cook a breakfast casserole! This is fantastic and so delicious!
Can this be baked in the oven.?
Yes! We have a separate recipe for that HERE: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/elises-breakfast-casserole_21/
Love easy breakfasts that can be done in the crock pot. This is so delicious!
This looks delicious! It will be nice when I have family come to stay!
Such a tasty recipe and perfect for lazy mornings as it’s ready when you wake up! Love a delicious breakfast casserole.
My family will love this. Will probably make it on a Sunday for dinner.
I am trying it soon. This is right up my ally. So good and so easy too.
The perfect way to enjoy a lazy Sunday breakfast. No need to wake up early to stand in the kitchen. Just wake up and grab a plate. 🙂
What a brilliant use of a slow cooker to make such a gorgeous looking breakfast dish. Can’t wait to try this!
Such an easy and delicious recipe
I do NOT like to get up early to feed my hungry brood – this is perfect (and so delicious) for our busy mornings!
I love breakfast casseroles! I love that this one is in the slow cooker which will make it so much easier and convenient.
This is perfect for my Saturdays when I want to sleep in and not have to go out and get breakfast.
This couldn’t have come at a better time. We have family staying with us next week and this will be perfect for breakfast! Thank you!!
This was so tasty! Thanks for the recipe!
This is such a delicous breakfast to have waiting in the slow cooker! It has become a go-to in our house!
This is one of those easy to make recipes that I don’t have to fuss over to much! Just perfect!
Hash Browns frozen or thawed?
Either one works 🙂 Frozen is easier but if you have thawed, that works too!
Has anyone tried it without eggs? I have a bunch of people coming for Christmas breakfast and this would be great. But I have a couple people who don’t eat eggs. Any suggestions? Thanks!
You will definitely want it with eggs so it cooks right… can they have egg substitute? That might work..
I have used this recipe many times, it always comes out great. I do have to cut the time back as I have an oval slow cooker, and it’s not very slow! I also add bacon, and sometimes sausage gravy. (which is very good, but even more fattening!) Thanks for the ‘comfort food’ breakfast idea, my family really enjoys it!
You’re welcome! So glad you like it.
I am always so amazed at all the goofy questions people ask about recipes! People this is the recipe she has and uses, she doesn’t do all these weird things you are asking. If you want to know if something can be changed, then change it and let her know if it can. Do any of you know how to cook? You be the ones that experiment and tell us if it works. She knows her recipe works and she likes it the way it is I am sure. By the way I make my own version of this but I mix in cut up biscuits and bake in the oven. This is very easy to make it your own by adding or not adding whatever you would like. I often leave out the hashbrowns. Bake it until you think it is done. You should be able to tell when it is, if eggs are done, biscuits, are done or whatever if you know anything about cooking. People cooking is like experimenting! Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, always amazes me at all the goofy questions, and how just because someone submits a recipe they are suppose to know how many different way it can be changed, what do they think you try all these different things?
When someone posts a recipe, I think they expect questions and might even welcome them. Your comment could possibly make someone with very little groceries embarrassed to ask if something can be substituted, added, left out. This could ruin their meal and waste money. Getting something off YOUR chest may help you but burden someone else.
Haha, Sue I just read all these comments/questions and thought the exact same thing! SO many questions, so many weird variations, hah!
Planning to make this soon can’t wait to try it! Thanks! 🙂
I just made this last night. Everyone liked it, except me. I didn’t like the texture of the hash browns in it. I used 2 pounds of pork sausage that I cooked up first, that was great! I sprayed the crock pot with Pam first and it came out very nice. I cooked mine of low for 9 hrs. and it was a little too long.
Can you use canned diced tomatoes?
You can… I just prefer fresh!
Has this ever been cooked with just regular russet potatoes either cut up in small chunks or shredded? I don’t have any hashbrowns on hand and am looking for a breakfast dish for supper tonight. THANKS!!!
Is that slow-cooker insert one that was purchased separately? It doesn’t look like the black oval inserts for that type of slow-cooker. I broke my insert and wasn’t sure if I should toss the entire unit or not. If it is separate, do you know if it is lead-free? Thanks!
It is actually the one that came with it… sorry! I don’t know what to recommend you do
It is the one that came with it. I don’t know what to tell ya!
Should be able to go to the website for the manufacturer of the crock pot and see if you can order a replacement.
Do you think that Rotel would be ok to use rather than a tomato?
Sure, just be sure to drain the excess juice from the can.
Made this last night and had it this morning… My kids were not impressed with it. And I wasn’t a fan either.
do you stir it at all throughout the time in the crock pot or just let it cook?
No… you just leave it. You just let it cook.
how many calories per serving
I think we have this recipe in MyRecipeMagic.com. It has the calories and everything there… lol, you may not want to know!
Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 400mg | Sodium: 665mg | Potassium: 791mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 15.5mg | Calcium: 388mg | Iron: 3.8mg
Can you double the recipe in the crock pot?
You would need a HUGE Crock Pot, but sure! I have a pretty big crock pot (the biggest you can buy at WalMart) and if I doubled the recipe it would definitely overflow.
Could you cut Time in half and cook on high?
Never tried it. Let me know if you do it and how it works out!
What if you have mini crock pot like a 2.5 or 3 quart? I’m only trying to make this for 2 other people…. I’m sure i can figure out how many eggs/milk/bacon etc to use to fit my crock pot..but I’m worried about cooking time! i sure don’t wanna over cook/burn it! I’ve seen people make breakfast casserole in a crock pot before and the eggs almost turn out grey/brownish from overcooking.
Yikes. I for sure wouldn’t cook it as long. I would say the first time you do it, keep your eye on it. Then let me know how it turns out!
I was wondering if it would work with fresh potatoes, onions and peppers instead of the frozen potatoes o’brian? If so, should I alter the recipe in any other way (i.e. when to put them in or cooking time?)
I’m sure it would be fine! I wouldn’t alter the cooking times or anything
How did the fresh potatoes work out for you?
Thats what I did. I baked russet potatoes and chopped onion and green pepper from my garden. was going to throw in some garlic but making it for people at work so I thought not.
Haha! Leaving out the garlic was a smart idea – especially with tight work spaces. Nothing is better than fresh from the garden! We’re glad you liked the recipe!
Just wondering if you can add biscuits to the top? I’m gonna do this for Christmas.. looks yummy.
You could sure try it!
Do you think I could use french bread instead of hashbrowns?
I’m sure you COULD.. Can’t promise how it will turn out though!
Dry bread works best. I buy seasoned stuffing cubes. It’s how we make Christmas morning baked eggs 🙂 And it’s delish!
Can you do this without the potatoes and if so would it be less cooking time??
I’m sure you can.. It would lose a lot of substance though!
Do you cook this casserole overnight? and if you do what setting,low,or high?…thanks
Yes it cooks overnight- low heat. The instructions above will tell you everything you need to know. Hope this helps!
I’m going to try bacon instead of sausage. So would I need to cook the bacon before placing in crockpot or could I use the microwave bacon? And do I need to break it up in pieces to put in the crockpot, sounds delicious! Thank you!!
Definitely precook the bacon.
Can I used pre cooked sausage links instead of the ones that need to be browned on the skilet?
Sure! I’m sure that would be fine!
This sounds really good and can’t wait till our hog comes to make this.
Has this receipe ever been halfed. It sounds like it makes a lot and I would love to try it but cut it in half. Thanks.
Yes you can but it will cook faster. Just adjust your times and check on it every hour or so
Sounds and looks delicious!! Could I program my crock pot to switch to warm after 6 hours? Or would the dish dry out? How long do you think it could sit on warm safely? Would love to make it for Christmas morning. Guess I could assemble, store in the fridge and wake at 1 am to put in the crock pot.
Thanks for the great recipe!!
I don’t know how long it would stay good on warm. I am guessing a few hours on warm would be ok.
Do you think this would work with chicken apple sausage or some other type of chicken sausage?
This sounds great, I am going to try it this weekend!
Sure! Why not? Come back and let me know how it turns out.
Hmm…. got back from the store and noticed the bag of potatoes o’brian I got is only 1 lb… I didn’t see any bigger bags at the store. Is 2 lbs. the correct amount?
I used a 2lb bag but you can use a 1lb and it should still be fine.. Or two 1 lb bags works too
Looks great! Did you thaw the potatoes first or toss them in frozen?
I kept em frozen
I’ve enjoyed this many times…not cooked in a crock pot though. Sounds amazing. Using bacon also sounds good. Thanks so much for sharing!
I was wondering about the texture of the eggs. Are they kind or hard or soft?
They aren’t runny at all.. I would say they are on the well done side.
What size crockpot are you using?
It’s a 6 quart.
That sounds delicious. I’ll have to try it.
I usually do overnight oatmeal for the work week mornings, this will make a nice switch.
Do you think you could cook and freeze in sections?
I wouldn’t. Eggs really don’t freeze well.
I freeze eggs all the time and they freeze well and this probable will to.
I noticed that if we want to double it you said to use two crock pots? Why?
Can’t I just double it and add time? Just asking I am not crock pot friendly….lol !
If you can double it and make it fit in one crock pot, by all means go for it. We have a big crock pot though and I think if we doubled it, it would be close to overflowing… I would only maybe add an hour or two for cooking it if I kept it in one crock pot. It’s not the cooking I would worry about.. It is making it all fit.
For food safety, it’s best not to fill your crock pot above 3/4 full. Having too much in the pot will make heating the food take too long to get to temperature and bacteria (that’s naturally in the food) will grow before the temperature can prevent it. Two crock pots would be best. You don’t want to serve food poisoning with your meal. A longer cooking time would not solve this problem, since it’s a matter of the heat getting to the center of the food quickly.
Never mind, I just saw that part. I was focusing on the ingredients and totally missed the cooking time. Sorry guys!
How many hours do you set this for??
I am the worst at cooking sausage link. I think I’ll be cooking half a package of sausage (crumbling beforehand) instead, add some bacon, and fresh herbs. This looks great!! Can’t wait to try it!
A trick to cooking links is to start them in some water and let the water boil out of the frying pan (like pre cooking bratwurst). Once the water is gone just brown the links.
This is how my DH cooks his sausage links and I’ve been criticizing him about that method, but guess this makes sense. Basically you’re steaming the sausage links first, then browning them off. Sausage links don’t agree with me anyhow; but bulk sausage fried, I have no problem with digesting it.
I always cook my sausages (like my bacon) in the oven….put them on parchment paper and cook at 300 til browned….so easy and a lot less mess. I always cook the full pkg then wrap what isn’t used in paper towels and refrigerate.
If i was to double this would it over flow in the crockpot? Im cooking this for co-workers and need to serve aboit 12?
uh yeah.. I would do 2 crockpots!
I’m with your dad-ketchup-yum!
This looks amazing! Do you think it would work to add bacon?
Absolutely! I have made it with bacon and it is awesome
Everything works when you add bacon!