Imagine waking up to a mouthwatering aroma that fills your entire kitchen - a hearty, cheesy breakfast casserole that practically makes itself while you're sleeping! This isn't just another breakfast recipe; it's a game-changing morning miracle that combines the rich flavors of breakfast sausage, golden eggs, and melted cheddar cheese in one incredible slow cooker dish. Perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunches, or when you want to impress your family and friends with minimal effort, this Crock Pot Cheesy Breakfast Casserole is about to become your new breakfast obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups cubed bread
Instructions
- Brown the breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the sausage is completely cooked through and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
- Grease the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Layer the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the greased slow cooker.
- Spread the cooked sausage crumbles over the bread in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sausage layer.
- Pour the egg mixture slowly and evenly over the layers, ensuring all bread and sausage are moistened.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours or until the eggs are set and the edges are golden brown.
- Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker and let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Serve hot, garnishing with additional cheese or chopped fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- For extra flavor, consider using a mix of bread types like sourdough and white bread to add complexity to your casserole.
- Make sure to thoroughly drain the cooked sausage to prevent excess grease in your final dish.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, you can add an extra egg to the mixture.
- Don't skip greasing the slow cooker - this prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute turkey sausage and use low-fat cheese.
- Let the casserole rest after cooking to help it set and make cutting and serving easier.
- This recipe can be prepared the night before and refrigerated, then started in the morning for a truly effortless breakfast.
- Experiment with additional mix-ins like diced bell peppers, onions, or different cheese varieties to customize your casserole.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 250mg
