Description
Mountain man crock pot breakfast combines hearty potatoes, eggs, and bacon in a simple one-pot morning meal. Savory layers of comfort meld together, promising a satisfying start that will energize you for mountain adventures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large eggs
- 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 bag (32 oz or 900 g) frozen hash browns
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (75 g) diced onion
- ½ cup (75 g) diced bell peppers (optional)
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Protein Preparation: Sear breakfast sausage with onions and bell peppers in a skillet until golden, then drain excess oil thoroughly.
- Base Layer Construction: Spread hash browns evenly across the bottom of the crock pot, creating a robust potato foundation.
- Layering Technique: Distribute the seasoned sausage mixture uniformly over the hash browns, ensuring complete coverage and flavor integration.
- Cheese Infusion: Blanket the sausage layer with shredded cheese, allowing for complete melting during the cooking process.
- Egg Mixture Creation: Whisk eggs with milk and seasonings until smooth and well-incorporated, creating a silky binding element.
- Liquid Incorporation: Gently cascade the egg mixture over the layered ingredients, ensuring total coverage and penetration.
- Slow Cooking Transformation: Cover and set the crock pot to low heat, enabling ingredients to meld and develop rich, complex flavors over 6-8 hours.
- Culinary Completion: Verify doneness by checking for fully set eggs with golden-tinged edges, allowing the casserole to stabilize before serving.
- Final Flourish: Garnish with additional cheese, green onions, or fresh parsley to enhance visual appeal and provide a burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- Precision Searing: Brown sausage carefully to develop deep, rich flavors without burning, ensuring meat remains tender and juicy.
- Potato Layer Strategy: Spread hash browns evenly and pat down firmly to create a crisp, uniform base that prevents sogginess and provides textural contrast.
- Egg Mixture Mastery: Whisk eggs thoroughly to incorporate air, creating a lighter, fluffier texture and preventing dense, rubbery consistency.
- Smart Temperature Control: Use low heat setting to prevent overcooking and maintain moisture, allowing ingredients to meld without becoming dry or tough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (on low) or 3-4 hours (on high)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 978 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 286 mg