This easy Overnight Crockpot Breakfast Casserole is an absolute crowd-pleaser! Shredded potatoes are layered between savory ham, cheese, and eggs. A classic savory crockpot breakfast guests and picky eaters will rave about!
In case you didn't know, overnight crockpot breakfast recipes are my jam. Crock Pot Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon and delicious Crock Pot Peanut Butter Oatmeal are perfect for busy weekday mornings.
If you’re searching for an easy, mouth-watering Overnight Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole that feeds your whole family, this is it!
Who can resist shredded potatoes layered with savory ham or sausage, gooey cheese, and fluffy eggs?
This Overnight Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole is the BOMB! It's so good you'll want to enjoy this hot breakfast on Christmas morning. There is never leftover at my house.
It’s loaded with classic breakfast ingredients and cooks overnight, so you wake up to a restaurant-quality meal in the morning, just like our Overnight Crock Pot Oatmeal, buttery Crockpot French Toast Casserole with maple syrup, and Blueberry Crockpot Oatmeal.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Mornings: No morning rush, just a hot and delicious breakfast.
- Customizable: Swap ingredients to match your taste and dietary preferences.
- Family Favorite: A crowd-pleaser that brings everyone together.
- Nutritious Recipe: Packed with protein and veggies for a balanced meal.
- Versatile: Ideal for brunches, potlucks, and lazy weekends.
Basic Ingredients for a Crockpot Casserole
- Eggs: Free-range large eggs if possible.
- Milk: Adding a little bit of dairy lightens this egg dish. Low-fat or regular milk is fine.
- Spices: To give your casserole a bit of flavor, add kosher salt, black Pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes: Keep your potatoes frozen, especially if you are cooking overnight. (aka frozen hash browns)
- Ham: Fully cooked and chopped/diced into bite-sized pieces. We love this crock pot ham!
- Onion: Chopped onions add flavor and a little texture. It can be omitted if serving kids or sensitive adults.
- Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar is our go-to to give this classic breakfast casserole plenty of flavor.
Variations
When cooking for picky eaters, you can serve your casserole as is. However, if you want to add some veggies, try these:
- Broccoli: This veg goes perfectly with the ham and cheese.
- Protein: If you don’t have ham on hand, go for cooked bacon, pork, or turkey sausage. Both are amazing. If you really need a hearty meal, pick two!
- Red onions: Replace the yellow onions with red onions for a slightly different flavor.
- Bell Peppers: Red and green peppers are good choices.
- Spinach: An excellent way to add some color and nutrition.
- Tomatoes: A mild recipe addition that pairs well with onion and spinach.
- Mild Green Chiles: Or if you’re feeling spicy, try jalapeños!
- Other Cheeses: You can use pepper jack, Monterey jack, or a combination of cheeses in the recipe.
Of course, you can mix and match any of these variations, depending on what you and your guests like.
Topping Ideas
It's true; life is just better when toppings are involved. Since this recipe contains classic ingredients, you can choose from many toppings.
If you are hosting a brunch or holiday breakfast, definitely put some of your favorite toppings out so guests can serve themselves. They love that!
- More cheese (because cheese is awesome)
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
- Guacamole or Avocado
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Salsa or Pico de Gallo
- Green Onions
- Chopped Fresh Parsley or Cilantro
- Tabasco or Sriracha (to give it some kick)
How To Make a Breakfast Casserole in Your Crock-Pot
Prep: gather all your ingredients for your crockpot breakfast casserole recipe. Then, grate your cheese and chop your onions and ham, and let’s put this casserole together!
Step 1—Prepare Eggs: Crack your eggs and whisk together the first five ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2—Assemble: Next, grease or spray your crock with non-stick cooking spray. Now, place a third of your frozen shredded potatoes in the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker.
Now, layer with a third of each of the following ingredients: ham, onion, and cheese. Repeat the layers, including the potatoes, twice more.
Step 3—Add Egg Mixture: Pour your egg mixture over the top of your layers.
Step 4—Cook: Cover and cook on LOW heat until the eggs are set and the edges begin to brown, about 5-6 hours. Let stand for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.
NOTE: When cooking overnight, put your casserole on to cook right before you go to bed. It will switch to warm once it’s done but definitely check it as soon as you wake up.
If you are new to using your slow cooker, definitely check out our Crock Pot Beginners Guide. This way, you'll know all the best tips and tricks!
How Long Does A Breakfast Casserole Keep?
If you store your slow cooker breakfast casserole recipe properly in the refrigerator in an airtight container, your casserole will be good for about 5 days.
Thankfully, you can cook this recipe a day ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve, making it stress-free.
To reheat: Bake in the oven in an oven-safe dish until heated through or microwave a serving for roughly 1 minute.
PRO TIP: Because the shredded potatoes were previously frozen, we don't recommend freezing the casserole again after it has been cooked.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Equipment: This recipe is designed for a 6-quart large crockpot.
- Prep the Crock: Since the egg tends to stick, make sure you use a non-stick spray or some grease (butter, etc.) in your crock insert before adding your ingredients. You can use a slow cooker liner, but they tend to create more waste for the environment, so we don't recommend them.
- Checking Doneness: The casserole is done when it starts to get nice and crispy around the edges, and the egg is thoroughly cooked.
- Crock Pot Cooking: To master cooking with your crockpot, check out our tips for better slow cooking!
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
Grab a jug of orange juice and enjoy one of these yummy breakfasts!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you bet you can bake this Crockpot Breakfast Casserole vegetarian. Simply omit the meat and prepare the recipe as instructed. Add more veggies if you'd like.
If using frozen shredded hash browns, cook your crockpot breakfast casserole on low for about 5-6 hours. The edges will begin to brown, and the egg should be set.
To reiterate, when cooking overnight, put your casserole on to cook right before you go to bed. It will switch to warm once it’s done but check it as soon as you wake up.
It's a good idea to grease the slow cooker to prevent sticking. You can use cooking spray or a small amount of butter.
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Printable Recipe
Easy Overnight Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 30 ounce package shredded hash brown potatoes (frozen )
- 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham (about 1 pound)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Crack eggs and then whisk together the first five ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Grease or spray the crock insert with a non-stick spray and place a third of your frozen shredded potatoes in the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Next, layer with a third of each of the following ingredients: ham, onions, and cheese. Repeat the layers, including the potatoes, twice more.
- Pour your egg mixture over the top of your layers.
- Cook covered on low heat until eggs are set and the edges begin to brown, about 5-6 hours. Let stand about 30 minutes before serving. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Because the eggs tend to stick, make sure you use a non-stick spray or some sort of grease (butter, etc.) in your crock insert before adding your ingredients. You can use a slow cooker liner, but they tend to create more waste for the environment, so we don't recommend them.
- With the recipe itself being mild, we like using sharp cheddar cheese. However, you can use whatever cheese you prefer in the recipe.
- The casserole is done when it starts to get crispy around the edges and the egg is thoroughly cooked.
Taylor says
Can this be cooked quicker if done on the high setting?
Ritika Gann says
Hey Taylor, yes. Cook it on high for 3-4 hours. I'd keep an eye on it close to the 2.5 hr mark and see if the eggs are fully set. Hope that helps!
John Robert Adams says
need crock pot breakfast casserole for 10 people. please tell me the ingredients for 10 people.
Nicole Keckeisen says
Have you tried doubling this recipe in a large crockpot for a bigger group? Same cooking time?
Erin Henry says
We haven't tried doubling the recipe, Nicole. It may require a bit more cooking time for the center to cook through, but not sure how much. It may also depend on how hot your slow cooker gets. Our new one cooks faster than our old model. Let us know how it goes if your try it.
Jodi says
Has anyone tried multiple batches in an electric roaster oven?
Erin Henry says
We have only tried this recipe in the crock pot. However, you should be able to bake it, but not sure about the amount of time.
Carolyn C McMahon says
How well does this casserole freeze?
Erin Henry says
Although we don't do it often, this recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months. When doing that, I suggest cooking it, then cooling completely and storing it in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
Irene Carter says
Can I make this in a rectangular crock pot. I know I will probably only get 2 layers but will the cooking time change?
Erin Henry says
We've only tested the recipe in a 6-quart oval crockpot. However, if you're only getting two layers, it may decrease the cooking time.
Donna says
I couldn’t find the shredded hash brown so I bought the cube hash browns Do you think this will be fine?
Erin Henry says
Hi Donna, cubed potatoes should be fine. However, they may take longer to cook, so keep an eye on that because you don't want the eggs to get too done.
Sheila says
I don’t think I’ve seen frozen hash brown shredded potatoes in UK supermarket - can I use par-boiled potatoes & shred them myself? Also my cooker doesn’t change settings - could I use a timer at the socket to set cooker on low timing? Thanks.
Erin Henry says
Hi Sheila, you should be able to use par-boiled shredded potatoes. However, I don't know if it would change the cooking time, so you'd have to check to make sure they're done. I would think setting a timer would be okay to use.
D. Smith says
Made this for a small family brunch. Added some sausage I needed to use before it expired and some red pepper flakes. My family loved it. So easy and like that it cooks while I sleep.
Erin Henry says
So glad the overnight crockpot recipe turned out so well for you. We love your additions!
Lisa says
How is this an overnight recipe if it doesn’t cook overnight? To have it ready for breakfast I’d have to get up at 3 or 4 am to put it together.
Erin Henry says
Starting it as late as possible, cooking it on low, and then letting it sit on the warm setting for an hour or so will get you through the night.
Beth Elizabeth says
“Starting it as late as possible, cooking it on low, and then letting it sit on the warm setting for an hour or so will get you through the night.”
I think this would only work if you have a digital programmable crockpot. It’s a great idea for a brunch, though. 😊
Tracy Pancione says
I start mine at 11pm, it cooks until 4am and stays nice and warm for 8:00am breakfast. My kids eat later and it’s fine. They love it. It sits for hours on warm and stays moist.
Erin Henry says
So glad to hear it, Tracy!
Corinne Howard says
Can I put this together the night before
Erin Henry says
Hi, I think this would be fine to put together the night before. Make sure to let your crock come to room temperature before putting it on the heat. It can crack otherwise.
Britnie says
Why did I have to buy a bag of frozen hash browns 30 oz if I only used one third of am I missing something ?
Erin Henry says
Hi Britnie, You layer this casserole like lasagna, so you use the remaining in the other layers.
Carol Walston says
You will use the entire bag of potatoes because the recipe says to repeat with two more layers.
Erin Henry says
Yes, three layers total. Each uses 1/3 of the bag of shredded potatoes. Enjoy!
Sue Weaver says
I made this recipe & doubled it but used 2 crock pots. Everyone loved it. I used 2 kinds of Turkey sausage and added chopped spinach parsley garlic pepper red pepper flakes just because I know my family & friends like a little zip. What a great basic recipe this is. Thank you.
Erin Henry says
I'm so glad you loved it, Sue! I love your additions. They sound delicious!
Danielle says
Do the hash brown potatoes need to be thawed first?
Erin Henry says
Hi Danielle, no, the hash browns do not need to thaw first! Enjoy the recipe!
Danielle says
Made today for dinner! I did 8oz of cubed ham and 1lb of cooked crumbled breakfast sausage. Also added 2 sliced scallions to the egg mixture and a couple dashes of hot sauce for a little extra flavor. Served with some fruit!! Was delicious!!
Melissa says
Hello, I was wondering what you consider a serving size? 1 cup? Thank you
Erin Henry says
Yes, just over a cup, Melissa.
Betsi Moist says
I host a rather large gathering for breakfast on Christmas morning, and made this casserole. It was gone in no time, and everyone raved about it! So simple to prep! Will absolutely be a part of my future menus.
Erin Henry says
So glad to hear it turned out so well, Betsi! This is an easy recipe everyone loves for sure!
Laura says
Would I be able to cook this on high for a short time period?
Erin Henry says
We haven't tried making the recipe on high, Laura, so I can't say for sure. If you did try it, I would keep an eye on it because the egg needs to be set but not get hard, especially around the edges.