Crockpot cheesy breakfast potatoes are a warm, creamy, and satisfying breakfast or brunch dish made with tender potatoes, cooked ham, vegetables, heavy cream, and plenty of cheddar cheese. This easy slow cooker recipe is ideal for holiday mornings, weekend brunch, family gatherings, or simple weekly meal prep. With only a few minutes of preparation, the crockpot does the work and turns basic ingredients into a comforting dish that can be served as a hearty side or a filling main course.
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Ingredients For Crockpot Cheesy Breakfast Potatoes
These slow cooker cheesy breakfast potatoes are made with simple, familiar ingredients. Frozen potatoes make the recipe especially convenient because they save chopping time and cook evenly in the crockpot. Cooked ham adds savory flavor and makes the dish more filling, while onion and bell pepper bring a classic breakfast-style taste. Heavy cream helps create a rich texture, and shredded cheddar cheese melts into the potatoes for the creamy, cheesy finish that makes this recipe so comforting.
- Frozen Potatoes
- Cooked Ham
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Heavy Cream
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder
How To Make Cheesy Breakfast Potatoes In The Slow Cooker
One of the best things about this crockpot breakfast potatoes recipe is how little hands-on work it requires. After coating the slow cooker with cooking spray, all of the main ingredients are added directly to the insert. Stirring half of the cheese into the mixture helps distribute the cheesy flavor throughout the potatoes, while the remaining cheese melts on top as the dish cooks. The result is a soft, creamy, cheesy potato casserole-style breakfast that is easy to serve straight from the slow cooker.
- Spray the slow cooker generously with cooking spray.
- Add the frozen potatoes, cooked ham, onion, bell pepper, heavy cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the slow cooker. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted.
FAQs & Tips
Can you make this ahead of time?
Yes. You can prep the ingredients the night before and keep them in the refrigerator. In the morning, transfer the mixture to the slow cooker and begin cooking. This makes the recipe especially helpful for busy mornings, brunch hosting, or holiday meals when you want a low-effort dish that still tastes homemade.
Can you use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar cheese works well because it melts beautifully and has a classic breakfast casserole flavor, but you can use another cheese if you prefer. Swiss, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack are good options depending on the flavor you want. For a mild dish, keep the cheese simple. For a little heat, pepper jack is a great choice.
Can you use a different meat?
You can substitute another cooked meat in place of the ham. Cooked bacon or cooked sausage both work well in cheesy breakfast potatoes. Be sure any meat you add is fully cooked before it goes into the slow cooker.
Can you make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. To make vegetarian crockpot cheesy breakfast potatoes, simply omit the ham or replace it with a plant-based option. The potatoes, vegetables, cream, cheese, and seasonings still create a rich and satisfying dish.
Can you use fresh potatoes instead of frozen?
Frozen diced potatoes or hash browns work best for this recipe because they are convenient and cook evenly. If you choose to use fresh potatoes, peel and dice them into small, even pieces so they have the best chance of cooking through properly in the slow cooker.
Can this recipe stay on the WARM setting?
Yes. If you are serving these cheesy potatoes for brunch, a buffet, or a family gathering, you can keep the slow cooker on the warm setting after the potatoes are fully cooked. This helps keep the dish heated and ready to serve.
Can you add a crunchy topping?
Yes. If you want extra texture, add a crunchy topping during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. Crushed crackers, cooked bacon, or breadcrumbs can add a nice contrast to the creamy potatoes and melted cheese.
How do you store leftovers?
Store leftover slow cooker cheesy breakfast potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions as needed until warmed through.
What size slow cooker did I use?
A 3.5-quart slow cooker works for this recipe. If you are feeding a larger group, double the recipe and use a larger slow cooker so the potatoes have enough room to heat evenly.
Brunch Recipes
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Cinnamon Roll Casserole
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Wake Up Breakfast Casserole
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Shrimp & Grits
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Breakfast Casserole
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Denver Omelette Casserole
Crockpot Cheesy Breakfast Potatoes
Crockpot cheesy breakfast potatoes are an easy, comforting slow cooker recipe made with frozen potatoes, cooked ham, onion, bell pepper, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and simple seasonings. Serve them as a cozy brunch side dish or enjoy them as a filling breakfast main course.
- Author: Shannon Epstein
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen potatoes
- 8 ounces cooked ham
- 1/3 cup onion, diced
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker generously with cooking spray.
- Add the frozen potatoes, cooked ham, onion, bell pepper, heavy cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and half of the cheese to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours.
Nutrition
- Calories: 275