Ultimate Crustless Quiche Recipe
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40–50 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs (room temperature for best texture)
- 1 cup whole milk (can use ½ milk + ½ cream for richer quiche)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional, gives a warm flavor)
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan (optional, for topping)
Vegetables (pre-cooked or sautéed)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- 1 cup chopped spinach or kale (sautéed lightly to remove excess water)
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced (sautéed)
Protein (optional)
- ½ cup cooked bacon bits or ham, diced
- ½ cup cooked chicken or sausage (optional)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or thyme)
- Extra cheese for topping
Equipment
- 9-inch round pie dish or 8×8-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Frying pan (for sautéing vegetables)
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease your pie dish or baking dish with butter, oil, or non-stick spray. This prevents sticking since there’s no crust.
Step 2: Cook Vegetables and Proteins
- Heat a small amount of oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onions until translucent (~3 minutes).
- Add bell peppers and mushrooms; cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add zucchini and cook 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in spinach or kale and cook until wilted.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Remove vegetables from heat and let them cool slightly.
- If using bacon, ham, or sausage, cook them fully and drain excess fat.
Step 3: Mix Egg Base
- In a large mixing bowl, crack 6 eggs.
- Add milk (or milk + cream) and whisk until fully combined.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and nutmeg.
- Optional: For a fluffier quiche, whisk the eggs until slightly frothy.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients
- Add cooked vegetables and proteins to the egg mixture.
- Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese.
- Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Pour into Baking Dish
- Pour the mixture into the prepared greased baking dish.
- Smooth out the top with a spatula.
- Optional: Sprinkle extra cheese or Parmesan on top for a golden finish.
Step 6: Bake
- Place the dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes. The quiche is done when:
- The center is set (not jiggly).
- The top is lightly golden.
- A knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tip: If the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Remove quiche from oven and let it cool for 5–10 minutes.
- Slice into wedges and serve warm.
- Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Step 8: Storage
- Refrigerate: Cover and store in fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Microwave individual slices for 30–60 seconds.
- Freeze: Can freeze fully cooked quiche in slices for up to 2 months. Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Optional Variations
- Mediterranean: Use feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.
- Mexican: Add jalapeños, cheddar, chorizo, and cilantro.
- Vegetarian: Omit meat, use extra veggies like broccoli, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers.
- Creamier: Use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of milk.