Learn the basics of how to make quiche. Quiche is essentially a custard pie made with eggs, cream, and a variety of fillings like cheese, vegetables, and meats. With this simple guide, it’s easy to master how to make a quiche from scratch and add-in any number of ingredients.
Understanding Quiche Basics
Quiche is essentially a savory custard baked in a pastry crust. Its creamy, rich texture is balanced by the crunch of the crust and the variety of fillings you choose. Here’s what makes a quiche different from similar egg-based dishes:
Quiche vs. Crustless Quiche: A traditional quiche has a buttery pastry crust, while a crustless quiche is the same custard and fillings baked directly in a greased dish.
Quiche vs. Frittata: A frittata is cooked on the stovetop, finished in the oven, and contains little to no dairy, making it denser. Quiche, with a cream or milk base, is lighter and silkier.
Basic Ingredients for Quiche
- Crust: A store-bought crust works fine for beginners. For from scratch make a simple pâte brisée with flour, butter, salt, and cold water.
- Eggs and Dairy: Use the freshest eggs and full-fat dairy for the creamiest texture.
- Cheese: Buy blocks and grate them yourself—pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that affect texture.
- Vegetables: Seasonal, fresh vegetables offer the best flavor.
- Butter: For homemade crusts, use high-quality unsalted butter.
Ingredient Variations
- Classic Lorraine: Bacon, Gruyère, and onion.
- Vegetarian Delight: Spinach, mushroom, and goat cheese.
- Mediterranean: Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta.
- Seasonal Twist: Roasted butternut squash and sage in fall or asparagus and peas in spring.
- Cheese: Gruyère, cheddar, feta, goat cheese, or mozzarella.
- Vegetables: Sautéed onions, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Meat: Pre-cooked bacon, sausage, ham, or chicken.
The Cooking Process
Step One – Prepare the Crust:
- If using a homemade crust, roll it out to about 1/8 inch thick, line your pie dish, trim the edges, and chill it for 30 minutes. Get more information on how to blind bake a crust.
- Blind Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crust with parchment paper, add pie weights, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove weights and bake for another 5 minutes until lightly golden. Cool before adding fillings.
Step Two – Prepare the Custard:
- Whisk together the eggs and dairy until fully combined. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg for added depth. Read more tips on how to make the perfect quiche custard and the best diary to use in your quiche.
Step Three – Prepare the Fillings:
- Cook vegetables and meats to remove moisture and enhance flavors. read more tips on using vegetables in quiche
- Avoid raw ingredients—they can release water during baking and make the custard soggy.
Step Four – Assemble the Quiche
- Layer fillings evenly in the pre-baked crust.
- Sprinkle cheese over the fillings.
- Pour the custard over the top, ensuring it just reaches the crust edge.
Step Five – Bake:
- Place the quiche on a baking sheet to catch any spills.
- Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes until the center is just set (it should jiggle slightly).
- Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the custard set fully.
The beauty of quiche lies in its adaptability—it can be tailored to any meal or time of day!
Basic Cheese Quiche Recipe
The classic plain quiche recipe which is creamy and light. Easy to add in extras for a heartier style quiche. Serve this light delight with a side salad or sliced potatoes.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat over to 375℉. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Lightly oil a 10-inch oven safe skillet.
- Roll out your pie crust and gently place inside the skillet, press into the skillet and leave an overhand over the edges of the skillet. Gently tuck the edges under to form a neat pie crust edge. Use your thumb to lightly press around the edges creating a fluted design.
- Loosely cover the pie crust with plastic wrap and place skillet in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
- Remove skillet from freezer and line the quiche crust with parchment paper and fill with pie beads to weight down the crust so it maintains its shape during baking.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, the crust should be lightly golden.
- Carefully remove the skillet and let cool on a wire rack. When cool enough, remove the pie weights and parchment paper. Reduce over to 350℉
- Sprinkle the green onion on the bottom of the quiche crust.
- In a large measuring cup whisk together the eggs, whole milk, salt and pepper.
- Sir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Pour the egg mixture into the cooled quiche crust and bake on center rack for 25-30 minutes. The quiche is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let quiche cool for about an hour before serving.
Notes
TO STORE: Cool the quiche to room temperature and refrigerate. Don’t put into the refrigerator while still warm, the crust will become soggy.
TO REHEAT: Cover the quiche with foil and warm in a 300 degree F oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.
TO FREEZE: Cool completely and wrap the quiche tightly with foil. For best quality don’t freezer for more than around 2 months When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
TO REHEAT: Cover the quiche with foil and warm in a 300 degree F oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.
TO FREEZE: Cool completely and wrap the quiche tightly with foil. For best quality don’t freezer for more than around 2 months When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Quiche Tips
- Soggy Bottom: Blind bake your crust and ensure fillings are cooked and dry.
- Rubbery Texture: Over baking leads to a rubbery quiche. Look for slight jiggle in the center as a cue to remove it from the oven.
- Filling Overload: Stick to about 2 cups of combined fillings to avoid overstuffing.
Serving and Storage
- Serve: Pair quiche with a light side salad or fresh fruit for a complete meal.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.
Now you know how to make quiche, your quiche will turn out beautifully every time! By following this blueprint, you’ll not only master the art of quiche-making but also have the confidence to experiment with endless flavor combinations. Enjoy crafting this delightful dish that’s as comforting as it is impressive!
Quiches for Breakfast or Brunch
Breakfast quiches often feature lighter, classic morning flavors and are less rich to complement the start of the day.
Key Ingredients for Breakfast Quiche:
- Eggs & Dairy: A standard custard base (eggs + cream or milk) works well.
- Meat: Bacon, breakfast sausage, or ham for savory breakfast appeal.
- Vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers add a fresh touch.
- Cheese: Milder cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, or Monterey Jack are common.
- Seasonal Ingredients: Fresh herbs (like chives or parsley) can brighten the flavor.
Examples:
- Quiche Lorraine: A classic bacon and cheese quiche is perfect for a hearty breakfast.
- Vegetarian Breakfast Quiche: Spinach, mushrooms, and feta offer a fresh, balanced flavor.
- Mini Quiches: Individual portions made in muffin tins are ideal for quick breakfasts or brunch buffets.
Why It’s Great for Breakfast:
- Light and comforting.
- Pairs well with coffee, tea, or fresh juices.
- Complements sides like fruit salad, toast, or a small green salad.
Quiches for Dinner
Dinner quiches often have bolder flavors and heartier ingredients to satisfy a larger appetite. They can also feature more complex combinations.
Key Ingredients for Dinner Quiche:
- Eggs & Dairy: Use cream or half-and-half for a richer custard.
- Meat: Roasted chicken, smoked salmon, pancetta, or sausage adds protein.
- Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like zucchini, butternut squash, or caramelized onions for depth of flavor.
- Cheese: Stronger, more flavorful cheeses like Gruyère, goat cheese, or blue cheese.
- Herbs & Spices: Sage, thyme, or smoked paprika elevate the dish.
Examples:
- Smoked Salmon Quiche: Luxurious and rich, paired with dill and cream cheese.
- Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Quiche: Packed with flavor and nutrients.
- Deep-Dish Quiche: A heartier, taller quiche with layered fillings like ham, Gruyère, and caramelized leeks.
Why It’s Great for Dinner:
- Satisfying and versatile.
- Pairs well with a side salad, roasted vegetables, or even a cup of soup.
- Can be elevated with gourmet ingredients like truffle oil or artisan cheeses.
Breakfast vs. Dinner Quiche at a Glance
| Aspect | Breakfast Quiche | Dinner Quiche |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Light, simple custard | Rich, creamy, often heartier |
| Meats | Bacon, ham, breakfast sausage | Chicken, smoked salmon, pancetta, sausage |
| Vegetables | Spinach, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers | Roasted squash, zucchini, leeks, root veggies |
| Cheeses | Mild (cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack) | Bold (Gruyère, goat cheese, blue cheese) |
| Side Pairings | Fresh fruit, toast, light salad | Green salad, roasted veggies, soup |
