Ingredients:
Base:
- 32 oz. frozen shredded hash browns (about 4 cups)
Protein:
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (cooked and crumbled)
- Alternatives: Cooked ham (diced), cooked bacon (crumbled), vegetarian sausage crumbles
Veggies (Optional):
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite mix)
Eggs & Milk:
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (whole, 2%, or your preferred milk)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard (adds a nice flavor depth)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions:
Prep:
- Grease a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker with nonstick spray.
- Cook your breakfast sausage/protein of choice. Drain off any excess grease.
Dice the onion and bell pepper if using.
Assemble:
- Layer half the hash browns in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Sprinkle half the cooked sausage/protein, half the veggies (if using,) and 1 cup of cheese.
- Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining cheese.
Egg Mixture:
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, dry mustard, and garlic powder (if using).
Combine and Cook:
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole layers in the crockpot.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until eggs are set and no liquid remains. To ensure even cooking, you may want to rotate the crock halfway through cooking.
- During the last 15 minutes, you could sprinkle on a bit more cheese for extra melty goodness.
Rest and Serve:
- Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps it firm up for easier slicing.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, or fresh herbs.
Tips for Success:
- Thaw the hashbrowns: Slightly thawing your hash browns will help them cook more evenly.
- Make-Ahead: Prep all ingredients the night before, then refrigerate your egg mixture and layered casserole separately. Assemble and start your crockpot in the morning.
- Customize: Add other veggies like mushrooms or spinach. Get creative with cheeses and proteins: chorizo sausage or a Mexican cheese blend would offer exciting flavor variations!
