Sluggish Cooker Breakfast Casserole with Ham, Cheese, and Spinach

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole is the right set-it-and-forget-it meal, making breakfast stress-free and scrumptious. With eggs, hash browns, spinach, ham, and cheddar cheese, this hearty dish cooks when you sleep so that you get up to a heat, satisfying meal. Serve it with crispy breakfast potatoes or a recent fruit salad for the right brunch unfold.

Simply toss every thing into the gradual cooker earlier than mattress and get up to a scorching, hearty breakfast that is able to serve. This crockpot hash brown casserole is endlessly customizable. Swap in your favourite veggies, cheeses, or proteins to make it your individual. Plus, it is not simply nice for brunch.

This casserole is ideal for meal prep, too! Make it at first of the week, slice it into parts, and you will have a fast, protein-packed breakfast able to go each morning. Whether or not you are internet hosting company or simply want a straightforward approach to begin the day, this gradual cooker casserole makes mornings easy.

Breakfast casseroles are good for any time of 12 months, from Christmas morning to a busy weekday! Check out this Butternut Squash and Spinach Breakfast Casserole or Breakfast Egg Casserole to make your mornings much more thrilling!

What do that you must make egg casserole within the crockpot?

With a number of easy components and a crockpot, you may make this hands-off breakfast recipe in a flash!

• Hash brown potatoes: These make up the hearty base of the casserole. You should utilize refrigerated or frozen hash browns, however simply be certain that they’re thawed if they’re frozen. They absorb taste and create a barely crispy layer on the backside.
• Boneless lean ham: A good way so as to add protein and a salty, smoky chew. Leftover ham from a vacation meal? Excellent! You may additionally swap it for cooked bacon or sausage.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Melty, sharp, and barely tangy cheddar brings richness to each chew. You’ll be able to combine in some mozzarella or pepper jack for additional taste.
• Eggs + egg whites: The important thing to holding every thing collectively! Utilizing complete eggs and additional egg whites makes this casserole lighter however nonetheless creamy and satisfying.
• Skim Milk: This helps maintain the eggs fluffy with out making the dish too heavy. Any milk will work, however if you would like a richer texture, use complete milk or perhaps a splash of half-and-half.
• Crockpot: A 6 qt. crockpot will likely be good for this recipe!

Can I take advantage of a distinct sort of cheese?

Completely! Cheddar is a good alternative as a result of it melts properly and provides a wealthy, sharp taste. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to combine and match cheeses primarily based on what you could have or the flavour you favor. Monterey Jack or mozzarella gives you a creamier, milder style, whereas Swiss or Gouda provides a barely nutty, smoky taste. Should you like a little bit spice, attempt Pepper Jack for a delicate kick. For the very best texture, use freshly shredded cheese as a substitute of pre-shredded, because it melts extra easily into the casserole.

Can I swap out the ham for one thing else?

Positively! You should utilize cooked bacon, sausage, turkey, and even plant-based meat alternate options. Simply be certain that any meat is absolutely cooked earlier than including it to the casserole.

Can I take advantage of recent spinach as a substitute of frozen?

Sure, however recent spinach accommodates extra moisture. To forestall a watery casserole, sauté it first for a minute or two to wilt it down, then drain any additional liquid earlier than including it.

What different veggies can I add?

This recipe is tremendous versatile! Strive including mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and even sun-dried tomatoes. Simply remember to drain any extra liquid from watery veggies so the casserole would not get soggy.

Find out how to Make an Egg Casserole within the Crockpot

Right here’s a fast breakdown of easy methods to make this recipe:

1. Layer the Base

Combine the hash browns with the diced onions and peppers, then unfold them evenly within the backside of the gradual cooker. Give them a little bit seasoning to start out constructing taste.

2. Add the Good Stuff

In a bowl, combine the spinach and ham, then layer half of it over the potatoes. Sprinkle on some cheese, then repeat with the remaining ham and spinach, ending with the remainder of the cheese.

3. Pour within the Eggs

Whisk the eggs, egg whites, and milk along with a little bit salt and pepper. As soon as it is good and clean, pour the egg combination evenly over the layers within the gradual cooker.

4. Prepare dinner Low and Sluggish

Set your gradual cooker on low for a number of hours or on excessive for those who want it carried out quicker. It is prepared when the eggs are absolutely set and cooked by way of.

Professional Tip: Should you’re making this in a single day, maintain it on the bottom setting so it would not overcook. A programmable gradual cooker with a heat setting works nice for this!

Can I make this casserole in a single day?

Sure! If you wish to get up to a ready-to-eat breakfast, cook dinner it on the bottom setting for about 6-8 hours. In case your gradual cooker has a “maintain heat” operate, it is even higher—this prevents overcooking. In case your gradual cooker runs scorching, verify it across the 6-hour mark to verify the eggs do not get too agency.

Do I must thaw the hash browns first?

Sure, it is best to thaw frozen hash browns earlier than including them. In the event that they go in frozen, they will launch additional moisture and make the casserole soggy. Merely depart them within the fridge in a single day or microwave them for a couple of minutes till defrosted.

How do I maintain the eggs from getting rubbery?

Overcooking is the most typical motive eggs flip rubbery. Persist with the low setting if attainable, and do not depart it on warmth longer than wanted. Additionally, utilizing a mixture of complete eggs and egg whites retains the feel mild and fluffy as a substitute of dense.

Recipe Concepts for Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

There are nearly infinite combos in relation to making breakfast casseroles in your crockpot. Listed below are some combos we like to make once we aren’t making this ham, spinach, and cheese choice.

• Sausage, peppers, and onions: Brown some lean floor turkey breakfast sausage together with sliced onions and bell peppers. Throw in some cheddar or mozzarella cheese.
• Caprese: Add diced tomatoes (or drained canned diced tomatoes), chopped basil, and recent or shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Lorraine: Add chopped center-cut bacon, diced onion, Swiss cheese, and the key ingredient – a contact of nutmeg to make a crustless model of this traditional dish.
• Southwestern: Add diced tomatoes, poblano peppers, corn, black beans, and cheddar cheese. Toss in some Homemade Taco Seasoning for much more taco taste.
• Veggie: Go all out with the greens, including zucchini, summer season squash, tomatoes, spinach, and broccoli alongside together with your favourite cheese.
• Bacon and leek: Chop and cook dinner some center-cut bacon together with some sauteed leeks. Add them to the casserole together with some shredded Gouda or Swiss cheese. You may additionally throw in some sundried tomatoes.
• Turkey and broccoli: Seize some deli turkey and cooked broccoli. Chop every thing into bite-sized items and add it to the gradual cooker together with some sharp cheddar cheese.

Suggestions for Making Crockpot Egg Casserole

The following pointers will make this recipe a breeze!

• Prep: Be certain to spray the gradual cooker very well with cooking spray in order that the eggs do not stick. You may also use a gradual cooker liner.
• Do not overcook: It is necessary to not overcook this recipe. If you understand that your gradual cooker runs scorching or cooks shortly, it’s possible you’ll need to take it out earlier. It is completed as soon as the eggs puff up and are cooked by way of. Examine the middle with a toothpick or knife since that half will end final.
• Prepare dinner the veggies: You should utilize all completely different veggies on this recipe, however it’s normally greatest to cook dinner them first. That is very true for greens that launch quite a lot of water, like spinach or zucchini.
• Potatoes: Any sort of hashbrown potatoes work. You should utilize shredded hash browns or diced potatoes from the freezer or from the refrigerated part of the grocery retailer. If you wish to make your individual, precook them earlier than including them to the crockpot.
• Low carb: For a low carb model, you’ll be able to substitute cauliflower rice for the hashbrown potatoes.
• Paleo: For a Paleo model, omit the cheese and use almond milk and shredded candy potatoes.
• Whole30: For a Whole30 model, omit the cheese and use canned coconut milk instead of the dairy milk.

Toppings

Mess around with completely different toppings for a really customized consequence!