Slow Cooker Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

This Slow Cooker Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is the perfect way to feed a crowd with minimal morning effort. Crucially, it features layers of crispy-tender frozen shredded hash browns, savory breakfast sausage, and a double dose of cheese (cheddar and mozzarella). Slow-cooked until the egg base is perfectly set, this crockpot breakfast casserole is hearty, cheesy, and incredibly easy, making it ideal for holidays or a relaxing weekend morning.

Ingredients and What You’ll Need

The ingredients combine classic breakfast staples into a satisfying, layered casserole.

• Frozen shredded hash browns (Ore-Ida recommended): The base of the casserole; provides a potato starch structure and a creamy texture when slow-cooked.
• Breakfast sausage (Jimmy Dean recommended): Browned and drained; adds a rich, savory, and meaty element.
• Shredded cheddar cheese and Shredded mozzarella cheese: The double cheese blend provides sharpness (cheddar) and gooey meltiness (mozzarella).
• Green onions: Chopped; adds a fresh, mild onion bite and a splash of color throughout the layers.
• Large eggs and Milk (any kind): Whisked together; this liquid custard base sets during cooking, binding all the layers together.
• Salt and Pepper: Used to season the egg and milk mixture, ensuring the casserole is savory.

How to Make Slow Cooker Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

The process involves layering the solid ingredients before pouring the liquid egg mixture over the top and slow cooking until set.

1. Layering the Casserole

The casserole is built in two repetitive layers inside the slow cooker.

1. Prep Slow Cooker: Spray a 6-quart crock pot with nonstick spray.
2. First Layer: Arrange half the hash browns into the bottom. Layer in half the cooked sausage, half of each kind of cheese, and the green onions.
3. Second Layer: Repeat the hash brown, sausage, and cheese layers.

2. Preparing and Adding the Egg Base

The egg and milk mixture is poured over the layers to bind the casserole.

1. Prepare Egg Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour: Slowly and evenly pour over the top.

3. Cooking and Serving

Cook until the center is firm, then scoop and serve.

1. Cook: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or LOW for 8 hours, or until eggs are set in the center.
2. Serve: Scoop into bowls, then serve.

Recipe Notes and Serving Suggestions

• Cooking Time: HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours ensures the eggs are fully set. Use the low setting for an overnight hash brown casserole—prep it the night before and wake up to a ready breakfast!
• Preventing Sticking: Nonstick spray is crucial, as the cheese and egg mixture can easily stick to the sides of the slow cooker insert.
• Sausage Prep: Browned and drained sausage is important to remove excess grease, which could make the bottom of the casserole greasy.
• Customization: Easily swap the sausage for cooked, drained bacon, ham, or mushrooms for a vegetarian option.