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Easy Overnight Breakfast Bake

Featured in Homemade Bread: Nothing Beats the Aroma.

Place sausage, cheese, and hash browns in layers in your crockpot. Add eggs whisked with milk and seasoning, then let it cook all night for a hot meal.

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Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:31:30 GMT
A forkful of gooey, cheesy casserole lifted from a black dish full of meat and herbs. Pin it
A forkful of gooey, cheesy casserole lifted from a black dish full of meat and herbs. | linacooks.com

I toss this breakfast bake in my crockpot right before hitting the sack and wake up to the most incredible aroma. My little ones dash downstairs wondering what's cooking. It's stuffed with spuds, sausage and tons of cheese - everyone leaves with a full belly. This has rescued countless Christmas mornings at our house.

What Makes This Dish Special

This casserole really saves the day when you've got a full house. I used to get all worked up about feeding overnight guests, but now I don't worry at all. Dump everything in before sleeping and breakfast waits for you in the morning. And the best part? Everyone can grab food whenever they roll out of bed - no need to sync up meal times.

Ingredients List

  • Sausage: A pound, browned and broken up - turkey sausage works great too
  • Hash Browns or Tater Tots: Get the family-sized 32 oz package
  • Peppers: Grab one green and one red, chopped small
  • Onion: A single yellow onion, diced up
  • Cheese: Two cups of Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack
  • Eggs: You'll need twelve
  • Milk: One cup does the trick
  • Salt and Pepper: Add what tastes good to you
  • Optional: Try green chiles, fresh cilantro or any toppings your family enjoys

Assembly Steps

Prep Your Stuff
Brown the sausage and dice your veggies. Don't forget to spray the crockpot so food won't stick.
Build Your Layers
Start with hash browns, then add sausage, veggies and cheese. Repeat this pattern three times.
Mix The Wet Ingredients
Whisk eggs with milk, salt and pepper until completely combined. Pour this mixture over everything in your pot.
Sleep Time
Set to low and go to bed. Your breakfast will be ready in around 8 hours.

Tasty Variations

I swap in bacon for sausage sometimes, or throw in a bit of both. My kids go crazy when I use tater tots instead of hash browns - they get super crunchy on top. Adding a handful of green chiles brings nice heat, and I often set out dishes of pico de gallo and sour cream for everyone to customize their portion.

Custom Versions

I went heavy on cilantro and Monterey Jack last Sunday for a Southwest flavor. My sis pours maple syrup on hers - sounds odd but tastes surprisingly good. The youngsters always want fruit salad alongside it.

Smart Tips I've Picked Up

Always spray that crockpot or you'll spend ages cleaning it later. Whip those eggs really well for extra fluffiness. And don't forget to drain the sausage properly or you'll end up with a greasy mess nobody wants.

Prep Instructions

Spread everything in even layers so it cooks uniformly throughout. Make sure the egg mix seeps down into all the layers - I usually poke some holes with a fork to help it flow through. Then just cover it and let the crockpot work its magic overnight.

Finishing Touches

Spend a few extra bucks on good cheese - it really matters. Wait about 10 minutes after cooking before cutting into it for cleaner portions. Sometimes I throw it under the broiler briefly to get that top extra crispy.

A close-up view of a baked casserole dish filled with a cheesy egg mixture, sausage, and diced red peppers, garnished with fresh cilantro. Pin it
A close-up view of a baked casserole dish filled with a cheesy egg mixture, sausage, and diced red peppers, garnished with fresh cilantro. | linacooks.com

Storing Extras

Any leftovers stay good in the fridge for around 3 days, but they rarely last that long in my house. If you want to freeze some, cut into individual squares first and pop them in freezer bags. Just warm them up in the microwave when you need a quick morning meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Could I get things ready ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can layer everything in the crockpot the night before, put it in the fridge, then pour in the eggs when you're ready to cook.

→ What if pepper jack isn't available?

Any cheese that melts smoothly will work fine, like Monterey Jack, Colby, or extra cheddar. Pepper jack just adds a little heat.

→ Can fresh potatoes replace frozen ones?

Yep! Just shred them, rinse them thoroughly, and get rid of excess moisture. Still, frozen ones are simpler and cook consistently.

→ Why is there extra water in mine?

If you peek while it's cooking, condensation forms inside. Also, make sure your hash browns don't have any ice on them when you add them.

→ How can I tell it's ready?

The eggs should be firm and not shaky in the center. Stick a knife in—if it comes out clean and the edges are browned, you're all set.

Overnight Breakfast Bake

Stack frozen potatoes, browned sausage, and cheese, pour on eggs, and let your slow cooker do the work overnight. Great for special mornings.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
480 Minutes
Total Time
490 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Breads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (10 servings)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 pounds of frozen hash brown potatoes.
02 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
03 1 1/2 cups of freshly grated cheddar cheese.
04 12 large eggs.
05 1/2 cup each of diced red and green bell peppers.
06 1 cup of whole milk or cream, like half & half.
07 1/2 cup of diced onions.
08 1 pound of cooked breakfast sausage (bulk).
09 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
10 1 1/2 cups of shredded pepper jack cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

Spray the crockpot lightly with nonstick spray. Mix the two cheeses together in one dish. Combine the sausage, onions, and peppers in another.

Step 02

Crack the eggs into a bowl, beat them thoroughly, then stir in the milk, salt, and pepper.

Step 03

Spread a third of the potatoes at the base; follow with a third of the sausage mix and 1 cup of cheese.

Step 04

Repeat the layering two times more, finishing off with the remaining cheese on top.

Step 05

Pour the whisked egg mixture over everything inside the crockpot.

Step 06

Place the lid on and keep the crockpot on low heat for about 8 hours.

Notes

  1. Grating the cheese yourself gives the smoothest melt.
  2. Avoid opening the lid while cooking or you'll risk adding extra liquid.
  3. You can assemble it ahead and pour in the eggs the next morning.

Tools You'll Need

  • Crockpot or slow cooker.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Contains eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 440
  • Total Fat: 29 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 19 g
  • Protein: 24 g