Slow-Cooker Breakfast Sausage Casserole

Ingredients

2 pounds breakfast sausage, casings removed, meat broken up
Nonstick cooking spray, for the slow cooker
One 30-ounce bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1 orange bell pepper, finely diced
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar
1 medium red onion, finely diced
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded whole-milk mozzarella
12 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Hot sauce and ketchup, for serving

Directions

Cook the sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a bowl to cool slightly and discard any fat left behind in the skillet.

Coat the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Layer half of the hash brown potatoes with half the sausage. Toss the bell peppers with the Cheddar, red onion and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Layer half the mixture over the sausage, then repeat the layering with the remaining potatoes, sausage and vegetable-cheese mixture.

Whisk the eggs, milk, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl, then pour over the casserole mixture. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella, then cover and cook on low until the eggs are set and have become a custard, about 7 hours. Turn off the heat, uncover and let rest for about 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve with hot sauce and ketchup.