Slow Cooker Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
If you love the idea of a hearty breakfast or brunch but not the cooking or cleanup, let the slow cooker make your mornings even easier! Slow Cooker Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole is a fantastic breakfast recipe for holidays, entertaining, or prepping ahead for the week. With only a few ingredients and a shortcut to a basic crust, you can have a delicious brunch ready for a slow weekend or early weekday mornings.
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What is it about crescent rolls that can make any recipe so good? The buttery, flaky layer in this casserole bakes easily in the slow cooker. This recipe is always a hit and so easy to make with the premade dough.
Why I Love This Recipe
It’s no surprise that I already love the slow cooker, but I particularly love this recipe because of the crescent roll addition. You can’t go wrong making breakfast recipes with crescent rolls from a can because of the effortless shortcut for flavor and texture.
I love that you can start this recipe early in the morning and it will be hot and ready just in time for breakfast or brunch. On weekends or when I am entertaining, I don’t want to be standing over the stove and the slow cooker frees me up to relax and still serve an amazingly delicious meal. Even better, the slow cooker keeps breakfast warm for the late-risers!
Additionally, you can make this recipe ahead and freeze or store individual portions for work or school mornings. Customize it with different cheeses, veggies, or seasonings and you’ll have a breakfast that works well for the whole family!
Essential Ingredients For Your Breakfast Casserole
You only need a few ingredients for a large, economical breakfast option to feed a group or prep for the week ahead.
Add these items to your shopping list:
- Refrigerated crescent roll sheets – Any brand will work and the crescent roll shapes make it easy to lay flat in a casserole or oval slow cooker. In my opinion, the premade dough is a valuable shortcut for this recipe!
- Ground sausage – Choose your favorite brand or spice level. Some options could be a chorizo, chicken and apple, or maple-flavored sausage.
- Eggs and milk – Together, these make a rich, yet light filling.
- Shredded cheese – Cheddar, Colby-Jack, pepper jack – you name it! Pick your favorite shredded cheese to add a delicious topping.
- Salt and ground black pepper – Just a bit of simple seasoning goes a long way!
If you like, finely chopped veggies are a great addition! Use whatever you have in the fridge for extra flavor or even a frozen variety such as chopped spinach or peppers.
How To Make Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole In The Slow Cooker
This breakfast casserole takes about 10 minutes of prep time and then you can relax while breakfast cooks away!
Start by browning the ground sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain any grease and set it to the side. (Tip: For a time-saving step, brown your sausage in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to place in the slow cooker.)
Next, spray the slow cooker insert with your preferred non-stick spray. Unroll the crescent rolls into a single sheet and lay in the bottom of the slow cooker, lightly pressing seams together to make a single crust.
Whisk together egg, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl and pour over the crescent rolls.
Top the crescent rolls and egg mixture with the cooked sausage. Sprinkle shredded cheese across the top.
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
Recipe Variations
When you have a great basic casserole recipe, it’s easy to change it up with lots of filling options! And, with the addition of the crescent rolls, you have a crust layer that supports hearty toppings and keeps the shape when serving.
Substitute ground sausage with different meats like mild or spicy sausage; chicken or turkey sausage, or even ground beef with a breakfast seasoning blend. Cook and chop some bacon to add in the slow cooker, or serve on the side!
Use this yummy casserole as a way to get in some extra veggies! Try chopped spinach, chopped multicolor peppers, broccoli, chives, or green onions! When you brown your meat, also add in some onions to lightly sauté prior to adding to the slow cooker.
Add some extra seasoning or flavors with a little garlic salt, dried chives, or spicy red pepper flakes.
Storing and Reheating
Another reason to make this breakfast casserole recipe – it’s great for prepping ahead and storing for later. Keep your leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container.
Generally, breakfast recipes with crescent rolls freeze very well and hold their shape and texture! I recommend freezing individual pieces and ensuring that all air is removed by either wrapping them with plastic wrap or storing them in an airtight container. This prevents any ice crystals that could lead to a soggy casserole when defrosting.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave or in the oven. If you reheat from frozen, be sure to unwrap and use a microwave-safe plate, checking after 30-60 second increments.
Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole FAQs
- Can I prepare the casserole ingredients the night before? Brown the ground sausage the night before, and even mix together the eggs, milk, and salt and pepper in a sealed container. I would recommend opening the crescent rolls and assembling the casserole at the time of cooking.
- Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent rolls? You could use puff pastry instead of crescent rolls, but because puff pastry generally contains more butter and less yeast, it may be a little greasier. Puff pastry also contains added sugar which will be sweeter than crescent roll dough.
- Can this recipe be made in the oven? Prep this recipe by spraying an oven-safe pan with non-stick cooking spray and following all directions for assembly. Bake in the oven at 375 °F for approximately 30-40 minutes or until eggs are cooked through in the middle of the casserole.
- Are there gluten-free or low-carb alternatives to crescent rolls? So far, I have not found a good gluten-free or low-carb substitute for crescent rolls. Try my Slow Cooker Denver Omelette Casserole as a gluten-free swap and make it more low-carb or keto-friendly by leaving out the potatoes.
What To Serve With Breakfast Casserole
The great thing about breakfast casseroles is that you can serve them as an all-in-one meal or offer different sides based on the complexity of the meal you’d like to serve!
It goes without saying that coffee is a fabulous (dare I say, necessary?) option for a warm, cheesy casserole. Fresh fruit on the side offers a nice contrast, and you can add even more savory options like hashbrowns or Slow Cooker Ranch Potatoes. Depending on what you choose for your filling, you might also offer strips of bacon or sausage links.
If you really want to make a larger breakfast or brunch, add another sweet breakfast option like Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls. You can deliver quite an impressive spread with just a slow cooker!
Slow Cooker Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
- Skillet
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 12 refrigerated crescent roll sheets
- 1/2 pound ground sausage
- 6 eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Brown sausage in skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked, drain any grease
- Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick spray
- Unroll crescent rolls into a sheet and lay in bottom of slow cooker, pressing seams together
- Whisk together egg, milk, salt and pepper
- Pour over rolls
- Top with cooked sausage
- Top with cheese
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6
Notes
- Prep ahead by browning sausage and storing in the fridge until ready to assemble the casserole.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. To freeze leftovers, wrap tightly or seal individual servings in a container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 second increments or in the oven until just warmed through.
- I made this in my casserole-sized slow cooker on high for 2.5 hours. In my 6-quart oval slow cooker, it took slightly longer at about 3 hours.
Could you add hashbrowns to this recipe? For example, can you add it on top of the crescent dough then add the other ingredients?
I haven’t tried it but that sounds delicious!
This sounds amazing, and I am so ready to try! Is there a reason why you opted for frozen spinach and not fresh?
It was delicious and will definitely make this again. We are going to try your Italian Chicken crockpot meal next!
Quick and Easy Family Recipes
You could also use fresh!
If I double or triple this does the cook time stay the same? Will it still fit in the 9 x 13 crock?
You would need to do each of them in a separate slow cooker as only one recipe will fit in the 9×13.
Hello!
I have a couple of questions…… Can I substitute the sausage for bacon? Also, can I put the ingredients together the night before & bake the next morning in my electric crock pot 9×13 casserole baker (not sure of the proper name.)
Thank you in advance!
Hi Christy! Yes to all! Let me know how it turns out for you!
You mentioned that this could be made in the oven. At what temperature should it be and for how long?. Thanks! This looks like would be good and easy, too!
I can’t remember how long I cooked it in the oven, but I would start by following the temp & time on the crescent roll package. Then check to be sure the crust is lightly browned and that when you stick a knife in the center of the eggs that they are set.
Can you tell me what the cresent roll looks like, please? Is it an already cooked type of bread? I’ m i UK and I have no idea what an equivalent product would be over here. I would like to try the recipe when the family come over next weekend. Yhanks Jenny P
They are similar to refrigerated biscuits that are prepared dough in a can that you then bake. If you can’t find them you could make a homemade croissant dough or a biscuit dough would work also.
I had no idea crock pot casserole cookers even existed! What a great recipe to use it for!
I know! I finally had to try it and I can’t believe how well it works for so many recipes 🙂
I love the convenience of breakfast casseroles, and this one looks delicious!
Thanks!! Yes, I love how easy it is 🙂