Crock Pot Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

There's just something insanely comforting about holiday breakfasts. 

And while buttermilk pancakes, Crockpot French toast, and Slow Cooker apple cinnamon rolls are my favorites, I was really looking forward to trying something savory. 

Something that was hearty and perfect for the holidays. And what could be better than this meaty, cheesy casserole? 

Trust me when I say this, this recipe is truly a game-changer for busy cooks!

Ingredients for the Crock Pot Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

• Breakfast sausage: To lend a nice savory and meaty element to the casserole. Swap with seasoned ground beef if you don't have it. 
• Frozen tater tots: These will act as the base of the casserole, making a crispy golden layer that holds the dish together and makes it super satisfying.
• Vegetables: I used a mix of yellow onion, red bell pepper, and some minced garlic to add that pop of color and lots of flavor and deliciousness to the casserole. 
• Cheese: Shredded cheddar and pepperjack are great, and that's what I used. They lend the casserole a nice balanced creaminess and slightly sharp flavor. 
• Eggs act as the casserole's binding agent, and essentially hold everything together. 
• Half and half: For that rich and creamy texture and flavor. 
• Seasonings: I used just a simple mix of salt and pepper, and let the other ingredients shine. 
• Dried parsley: For that subtle green color and some herby deliciousness.

Variations & Substitutions

• To make the tater tot casserole lighter, use Turkey breakfast sausage, or a leaner meat instead of your traditional breakfast sausage which has a higher fat content. 
• Make the casserole meat-free by swapping the sausage with some crumbled plant-based meat or seasoned tofu crumbles. 
• Make the casserole healthier by adding in more veggies like sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach. 
• Start with seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken, and add some canned black beans and lots of tomatoes with some Taco seasoning to give this Crockpot breakfast tater tot casserole some delicious Tex-Mex flavors. 
• Love breakfast-for-dinner? Throw some crumbled bacon into the sausage mixture to make it heartier and more protein-rich. 
• Swap the breakfast sausage for some chopped, cooked ham and some broccoli florets in addition to the veggies. Experiment with cheeses like Swiss and Gouda to lend a different flavor to the casserole. 
• Love the hot and spicy buffalo flavor? Start with ground chicken or turkey as the protein, season with buffalo sauce, and follow the rest of the recipe as is. Serve this buffalo chicken tater tot casserole with some cool ranch or blue cheese dressing.

How To Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole in the Crockpot

Step 1: Prepare the breakfast sausage: Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the grease and set this aside.

Step 2: Layer the ingredients: Grease your Crokcpot with some non-stick cooking spray and arrange a layer of half of the tater tots such that they cover the bottom. In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and half of the cheese. Layer this mixture over the tater tots. 

Step 3: Assemble the egg mixture: In another bowl, whisk the eggs, half and half, seasonings, and parsley. Pour this over the sausage and tater tots and top with the remaining half of the tater tots. 

Step 4: Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top and cook on HIGH for 2 ½ - 3 hours. During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, sprinkle the remaining cheese and continue to cook. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions, and enjoy!