Overnight Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (14 g)
• 6 cups frozen shredded hash browns, thawed (680 g)
• 12 ounces fully cooked chicken sausage (340 g)
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (150 g)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced (110 g)
• 2 cups sharp cheddar, divided (225 g)
• 10 large eggs (500 g)
• 1 cup whole milk (240 g)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (6 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 g)

Instructions

1. Prepare cooker. Rub olive oil over the bottom and sides of a 6-quart slow-cooker insert. Set the insert on the counter and confirm the thawed hash browns separate easily, with no frozen clumps remaining.
2. Layer potatoes. Spread hash browns evenly across bottom. Press gently into a level layer without packing. A flat base helps custard cook evenly and gives portions a sturdy potato foundation.
3. Add filling. Scatter chicken sausage, bell pepper, and onion over potatoes, reaching the edges. Sprinkle three quarters of cheddar evenly on top, reserving the remaining cheese. Keep ingredients distributed so each square has filling.
4. Whisk custard. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until no streaks remain. Pour slowly over the layers, circling the insert to moisten every area. Tap the insert once to settle liquid between potatoes.
5. Cook overnight. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours without lifting the lid. Check the center with an instant-read thermometer; it must reach 160°F and appear firm, not wet or liquid. Turn off the cooker.
6. Finish and serve. Sprinkle remaining cheddar over casserole, cover for 5 minutes, then uncover. Rest 10 minutes before loosening edges with a flexible spatula. Cut eight squares in the insert and serve warm or pack after cooling slightly.

Notes

• A 6-quart slow cooker gives the intended thickness; larger cookers may finish sooner, while smaller cookers need more time.
• Use fully cooked chicken sausage. Brown and drain raw sausage completely before layering, so rendered fat does not pool beneath the potatoes.
• For cleaner portions, rest the casserole uncovered after cooking, then loosen outer edges first with a broad flexible spatula before lifting inward.

Nutrition Facts