This low carb slow cooker breakfast casserole will make your mornings all the brighter. Packed with broccoli and breakfast sausage for a healthy start to your day. This post is sponsored by Jones Dairy Farm.
I love breakfast. Love, love, love breakfast. As in big pink puffy heart love. I love waking up with that empty gurgle in my tummy (assuming I didn’t eat too much the evening prior) and filling up on healthy, low carb foods. I think I might love breakfast all the more now that I have gone low carb, because I have a built-in excuse to eat the sort of breakfast-y foods that are typically “special occasion” items for most people. Things like eggs, bacon, and sausages. And butter, always plenty of butter. Those aren’t weekday breakfast foods in many households and they didn’t used to be in mine either. They were reserved for weekends and holidays, or when we went out for breakfast or brunch. In part because I perceived them to be far less healthy than my whole grain toast or cereal and so they were to be used sparingly; a common misconception that is slowly being turned on its head. They also take more time and effort to prepare and don’t always lend themselves well to busy weekday mornings. Granted, I now work from home and have the leisure to whip up an omelet whenever the fancy strikes. But mornings with 3 little ones can still be remarkably hectic and frazzled, so I’ve learned to prep ahead.
Enter the slow cooker, the ultimate tool for prepping ahead. It’s funny to think that until a few months ago, I didn’t really like to use a slow cooker. The old model I had simply didn’t work very well but now that I’ve got a good one, I can see just how useful they can be. They are even far more useful than I ever imagined, and they aren’t just for make-ahead dinners. My Slow Cooker Chocolate Cake was such a wild success, it’s fast becoming one of my all-time favourite desserts and I have many ideas on how to make other delicious low carb slow cooker desserts. It also happens to be a great way to cook breakfast, as this Sausage & Egg Casserole will attest.
I wanted to make this casserole as a way to showcase the Jones Dairy Farm little sausage links. I don’t eat a lot of breakfast sausages, because I tend to prefer bacon, but I really do love these sausages. We took some camping with us back in June and I was hooked instantly. I don’t know what it is about them, as the ingredients are just pork, water, salt and spices. Or maybe it’s the very simplicity of them that makes them so good. No MSG, no dextrose, no funny additives that other brands of sausage links use. Their maple sausage links are unbelievably good too but they do contain a little sugar so be forewarned if you are trying to be super low carb.
The sausages were so good that after I cooked and sliced them, I had a hard time not eating them all and saving enough to put into the casserole. But I managed to restrain myself through sheer force of will. And this low carb breakfast casserole is so much healthier for you than other versions. I skipped the frozen hash browns typical of such things (belch!) and subbed in fresh broccoli instead. If you have the sort of slow cooker that you can program, I’d set this to cook overnight and then stay on warm, for a delicious hot breakfast the next morning. If you can’t program your slow cooker beyond the basic low/high hour settings, then cook it ahead, refrigerate it, and reheat. Either way, it will be delicious!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jones Dairy Farm. As always, all opinions, thoughts, recipes, photography, random tangents and incoherent ramblings are my own.
Slow Cooker Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 medium head broccoli chopped
- 12 ounces breakfast sausage links cooked and sliced
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar divided
- 10 large eggs
- ¾ cup whipping cream
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Grease the ceramic interior of a 6 quart slow cooker well.
- Layer one half of the broccoli, half of the sausage and half of the cheese into the slow cooker. Repeat with remaining broccoli, sausage and cheese.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, whipping cream, garlic, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour over layered ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours, until browned on the edges and set in the center.
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Gary says
Have made this several times with hash browns. Now that I’m low-carb and not a big fan of broccoli, I substituted chopped spinach and it turned out amazing. Thank you, C.
T says
If I cook it on low for 8 hours will it still turn out ok? I never have good luck with crockpot meals.
Carolyn says
I think 8 hours would overcook it. Probably 6.
Elizabeth says
Looks fantastic–I may try it in a muffin tin in the oven for easy re-heatable grab-n-go breakfast frittatas. I’m always looking for ways to make my own on-the-go breakfasts!
BTW, a 1/4 teaspoon of maple flavoring and a dash of your favorite sugar-free sweetener makes a wonderful SF version of maple sausage. My mom uses SF maple syrup, but I’m not sure how much. Like maple but need to stay away from the higher carb count in maple sausages? No problem!
Carolyn says
Oh hey, great tip! thanks!
Debra Beard says
Hi Carolyn,
I’m returning my Crock Pot brand slow cooker to COSTCO cause it is way to hot on the low setting. Keeps burning everything. Any hints on other brands? What do you use?
Thx
Carolyn says
I use the Hamilton Beach one and it works really well for me. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZI26GO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EZI26GO&linkCode=as2&tag=aldaidrabfo05-20&linkId=Z63DZBWJAUEPZBZD
Debra Beard says
That is so funny cause that is the exact one I was really leaning towards.
Yay! No more burnt slow cooker cakes!!!
Thx Carolyn!
Susan says
I’ve made this the past couple of weeks, and taken a piece to work to microwave and have for breakfast through the week. Love it, but think I’ll start doing it in the oven. Using the lowest setting on my crock pot, it’s usually well done by 3 hours, so now way I could do it overnight and the crock pot just takes up too much real estate on my kitchen counters!
Love this recipe though – nice, substantial and easy breakfast!
Mathieu says
wasn’t too impressed. the broccoli and egg imho does not make a good combination. perhaps I’ll try again with mushrooms and/or spinach
Melanie says
Hi, I know this is an old post. But I am wondering. What exactly means cooked with the sausage? Do I need to boil them first? sorry, I we can’t get the brand you’re suggesting (in The Netherlands) and I am new to the whole crockpot thing. 😉
Actually, it’s going to be the first dish I’ve ever made…
So… I need to get sausages and boil them first?
Thanks!
Carolyn says
It depends on what kind of sausage you have. Breakfast sausage is typically just fried in a pan. Cook your sausage whatever away works best for that sausage and then slice it and add it to the slow cooker! Hope that helps.
Steve says
Made it last night It took about 2 1/2 hours on high. Reheated a piece for breakfast this morning. Tasted great. I cut down the salt to 1/4 tsp and used 1lb jimmy dean organic sausage. Great replacement to boring friend eggs and much quicker to prepare in the morning given it is already made. If you are on a low carb diet and don’t feel like cooking every morning this a great alternative.
Carolyn says
Thanks, Steve!
Clare Giammusso says
Oh my! I made this recipe for breakfast this morning and I absolutely love it.
Cici says
I’m wondering if you think I could put this on a delay timer before I went to bed. I’m concerned abt leaving it unrefrigerated for abt 4 hours before it starts cooking. Otherwise I’d have to get up at 5 to start it & that is super early for me!
Carolyn says
Does your crock pot have a “keep warm” option? I think that would be better because then it would be cooked. Mine will stay on warm for up to 14 hours.
Cici says
Do you think this recipe would get dried out if I leave it on warm for 4 hours?
I’m just not an early riser! Perhaps I would be better off cooking it in the oven?
Carolyn says
You can definitely cook it in the oven. I think it would be okay on warm for 4 hours but I can’t say for sure.
Renata Wantulok says
Can I make this, and freeze it?
Carolyn says
I didn’t try freezing it myself so I can’t say for sure. But I think it would be okay.
sarah says
Any idea of what size of dish and at what temp for how long if you wanted to cook this in oven? Thanks so much for all your recipes. I LOVE YOU!!!
Carolyn says
A 9X13 pan would work, although it might be a little thinner. Not sure of the baking time but I can’t imagine it would be much over 30 minutes at 350F.
rick says
I have been making this for some years, always with mushrooms in place of the broccoli. Also, with Jimmy Dean bulk sausage….otherwise same ingredients…always a welcome treat.
Jase says
Can you freeze some so you can have it later in the week as well?
Carolyn says
You could try but I am of the mind that it won’t freeze that well.
Annie says
Was wondering what you would substitute if you were also dairy free? Some full fat coconut milk?
Carolyn says
I really can’t say, in this case. It’s certainly worth a try!
Pierce says
New to the site, but have already done tons of shopping so I can start making recipes. Yum!
Made this one a few days ago. Delicious. I’ll definitely do a better job of greasing my crock (hey – that sounds sort of dirty) next time because I had a bit of stickage. Otherwise, this was awesome and even tasted great heated up as leftovers. Will be making this again and while I followed the recipe, it seems like there are good options for varying the meat (bacon!) and vegetables (maybe some spinach). Thank you so much!
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Lizzie says
Great recipe! I subbed 2% milk for the whipping cream and two deli slices of havarti for the cup of cheddar and it turned out delicious! Now I have breakfast to pack and bring to work each morning this week 🙂
fabiola@notjustbaked says
I love breakfast, sausage, and eggs! And this sounds so good and easy to make, looks like a great addition to my make it list this weekend, thanks!
Rebecca {foodie with family} says
Oh YUM! I think I could be convinced to become a breakfast lover with a dish like this!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
We are breakfast-for-dinner people, and this would be perfect after a busy day!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I would love this for breakfast right now! Pinned!