Keto Spicy Slow Cooker Brunch Casserole
A hearty overnight breakfast casserole that layers spicy sausage, hash browns, and cheese in your slow cooker. The eggs cook low and slow to create a custard-like texture while the hash browns stay tender. Perfect for feeding a crowd during holidays, weekend brunches, or meal prep. The combination of pepper jack and cheddar cheese adds richness, while hot sauce gives it a gentle kick that wakes up your taste buds without overwhelming the dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound hot ground sausagemild ground sausage1:1reduces heat level
high
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- 1 26 to 32-ounce frozen hash brownsfresh diced potatoes1:1more prep time needed
medium
- salt and pepper
- 12 large eggs
- ¾ cup half-and-halfwhole milk1:1lighter textureadds dairy
medium
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 shakes hot sauce
- 2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 4 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- 1
Cook sausage, onion, and red pepper in a large nonstick pan until sausage is no longer pink, breaking apart with wooden spoon as it cooks, then drain fat
- 2
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray or use liner
- 3
Layer half the hash browns in bottom of slow cooker and season with salt and pepper
- 4
Top with half the sausage mixture
- 5
Sprinkle half the cheese and half the green onions over sausage
- 6
Spread remaining hash browns over cheese and season with salt and pepper
- 7
Spread remaining sausage mixture over hash browns
- 8
Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, garlic salt, salt, and pepper in medium bowl
- 9
Pour egg mixture over casserole
- 10
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 1/2 to 8 hours until eggs are set
- 11
Top with remaining cheese and green onion and let sit until cheese melts
Tips
Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup, especially with the cheese and egg mixture that can stick to the sides.
Cook the night before and let it go while you sleep - perfect for holiday mornings when you want a hands-off breakfast.
Drain the sausage well to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave.
Assemble everything except final cheese topping the night before, then cook in morning.
Serve hot directly from slow cooker. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip draining the sausage fat or the casserole will be greasy
Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to prevent heat loss and uneven cooking
Substitutions
high
medium
FAQ
Can I use turkey sausage instead?
Yes, turkey sausage works well. Choose a spicy variety to maintain the heat level, or add extra hot sauce to compensate for milder flavor.
What if my eggs aren't set after 8 hours?
Continue cooking on low in 30-minute intervals until center is set. Older slow cookers may cook slower than newer models.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat portions in microwave until heated through, about 1-2 minutes per serving.