Ina Garten Crustless Quiche Recipe

Ina Garten’s Quick & Fluffy Crustless Quiche Recipe

A crustless quiche offers a delightful twist on traditional egg-based dishes for health-conscious food lovers.

Lighter and more adaptable than its pastry-enclosed counterpart, this elegant meal eliminates unnecessary carbohydrates while maintaining rich, satisfying flavors.

Clever home cooks appreciate how easily the recipe accommodates different ingredients and dietary preferences.

Protein-packed and versatile, the quiche transforms simple kitchen staples into a memorable dining experience.

Creamy textures blend harmoniously with fresh vegetables and proteins, creating a balanced and nutritious meal.

Professional and home chefs celebrate this simplified approach to classic breakfast cuisine.

Each bite promises a comforting yet sophisticated culinary adventure that feels both indulgent and wholesome: Start whisking those eggs!

What Makes Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche a Deliciously Light Dish

What Makes Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche a Deliciously Light Dish
  • Craft a Flavor-Packed Meal: This crustless quiche delivers maximum taste with minimal effort, combining rich custard, savory meats, and fresh vegetables in one delightful dish.
  • Customize Your Culinary Creation: Easily swap ingredients to match your mood or pantry, making this recipe incredibly versatile for breakfast, brunch, or light dinner options.
  • Healthy and Hassle-Free Cooking: Skip the traditional pie crust and enjoy a lower-carb meal that takes just minutes to prepare, with a baking time under an hour and simple ingredient list.
  • Restaurant-Quality Taste at Home: Professional-level technique creates a beautiful layered quiche with perfectly distributed flavors, giving you a gourmet-style meal without complex cooking skills.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche
  • Elevate Flavor with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle finely chopped parsley, chives, or tarragon over the filling for a burst of fresh, aromatic taste that transforms the quiche from simple to spectacular.
  • Master Vegetable Moisture Control: Quickly sauté or steam vegetables before adding them to prevent watery patches and guarantee a perfectly textured quiche with concentrated, rich flavors.
  • Cheese Swap Magic: Unleash creativity by replacing standard cheeses with bold options like tangy goat cheese, nutty Gruyere, or sharp Cheddar to create unexpected and delightful flavor profiles.
  • Thicken Custard Secretly: Dust a light layer of all-purpose flour over vegetables before pouring custard to ensure a perfectly set, creamy filling without compromising the quiche's delicate texture.
  • Temperature Trick for Smoothness: Let quiche ingredients reach room temperature before mixing to help eggs and dairy blend seamlessly, resulting in an ultra-smooth, luxurious custard that's free from lumps.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche

  • Vacuum Seal Method: Extract all air from a specialized bag using a vacuum sealer. Preserve the quiche's texture and flavor by preventing freezer burn and moisture loss. Ideal for long-term storage with maximum freshness retention.
  • Portion Freeze Technique: Slice the quiche into individual servings before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe container. Grab and reheat single portions quickly without thawing the entire dish.
  • Glass Container Strategy: Transfer cooled quiche to a glass container with an airtight lid. Stack slices with parchment paper between each piece to prevent sticking. Maximize refrigerator space and maintain optimal moisture levels while keeping the quiche fresh for several days.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche

  • Veggie Powerhouse: Replace bacon or ham with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a nutrient-packed vegetarian version that bursts with garden-fresh flavors.
  • Mediterranean Delight: Swap standard cheese with crumbled feta, add sun-dried tomatoes, and sprinkle fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired quiche that transports your taste buds to the Mediterranean coast.
  • Seafood Sensation: Incorporate cooked shrimp or crab meat instead of traditional meats, blend in some dill, and use gruyère cheese to create an elegant coastal-inspired quiche perfect for brunch.
  • Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, add chorizo, and include chopped cilantro for a zesty quiche with bold southwestern flavors that pack a delicious punch.

Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche: A Light, Flavorful Meal

Crustless quiche embodies simplicity and elegance in culinary craftsmanship.

Ina Garten’s masterpiece combines rich flavors with minimal preparation, creating a sophisticated meal anyone can master.

Parmesan-coated edges provide a delightful crispy texture that elevates this classic dish beyond traditional expectations.

Versatile ingredients allow personal creativity, making each quiche a unique culinary adventure.

Weeknight dinners or weekend brunches become extraordinary with this effortless recipe.

Hungry readers, click that share button, spread the quiche love across your networks, and let fellow cooking enthusiasts discover this remarkable dish that promises deliciousness in every single bite.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche

Dairy Base:
  • Half-and-Half: Rich and creamy liquid that forms the smooth base of the custard, adding luxurious texture.
  • Eggs, Egg Yolks: Essential for binding the custard and creating a silky, rich consistency.
  • Soft Butter: Used for greasing the pie pan and adding subtle richness.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Provides a savory coating for the pie pan and adds a sharp, salty flavor.
Protein and Meat Options:
  • Bacon, Ham, Salami: Brings depth of flavor and protein to the quiche, adding a savory and meaty dimension.
Vegetables and Herbs:
  • Mixed Vegetables: Adds color, nutrition, and variety to the quiche, creating a balanced dish.
  • Fresh Herbs (Minced): Introduces bright, aromatic flavors that complement the other ingredients.
Seasonings:
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the richness of the dish.
  • Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and sharp taste to the quiche.
  • Nutmeg or Cayenne Pepper: Offers a warm, slightly spicy undertone to the custard.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche

How to Make Ina Garten’s Crustless Quiche

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a delicious adventure.

Step 2: Prepare The Pan

Grab a pie pan and lovingly coat it with softened butter. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese to create a crispy, flavorful base.

Step 3: Whisk The Creamy Custard

In a large mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Half-and-half
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
Season the mixture with:
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg or cayenne pepper

Step 4: Layer Your Favorite Ingredients

Create delicious layers in the buttered pan:
  • Scatter 1/2 of your chosen vegetables
  • Sprinkle 1/2 of your selected cheese
  • Add remaining vegetables
  • Top with remaining cheese

Step 5: Add Flavor Boosters

Generously distribute:
  • Finely chopped herbs
  • Crispy bacon, diced ham, or salami

Step 6: Pour The Silky Custard

Gently pour the creamy custard over the layered ingredients, ensuring every morsel gets covered.

Step 7: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. Your quiche is ready when the center is set and the top turns a beautiful golden brown.

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Ina Garten Crustless Quiche Recipe

Ina Garten Crustless Quiche Recipe


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4.9 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s crustless quiche delivers a luxurious breakfast experience with silky eggs and sharp cheddar cheese. Elegant yet simple, this protein-packed dish offers a delightful morning meal you can savor without fussy pastry preparation.


Ingredients

Scale

Dairy and Protein:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups (480 milliliters) half-and-half
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) grated or crumbled cheese (like Cheddar, goat cheese, Gruyere)
  • ¾ cup (180 milliliters) chopped crisp bacon, diced ham or salami

Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 2 to 3 cups (480720 milliliters) prepared vegetables (like leeks, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, spinach)
  • 1 to 4 tablespoons (1560 milliliters) minced herbs (like parsley, chives, tarragon)

Seasonings and Thickeners:

  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • Pinch cayenne or paprika
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) all-purpose flour (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm the cooking space by positioning the oven rack at 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal temperature for a perfectly golden quiche.
  2. Transform the pie pan into a flavor foundation by generously coating its surface with softened butter, then sprinkle a delicate layer of grated Parmesan cheese to create a savory crust base.
  3. Craft the silky custard base by whisking together half-and-half, whole eggs, and additional egg yolks until smooth, incorporating kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a subtle hint of nutmeg or cayenne for depth of flavor.
  4. Construct the first vegetable and cheese layer by carefully distributing half of the selected ingredients across the buttered pan, ensuring even coverage and maximizing flavor potential.
  5. Complete the vegetable foundation by adding the remaining cheese and vegetable components, creating a robust and colorful base for the quiche.
  6. Enhance the dish with protein by sprinkling chopped bacon, diced ham, or salami over the vegetable layers, complementing the existing flavors with rich, savory notes.
  7. Gently cascade the prepared custard mixture over the layered ingredients, allowing it to naturally settle and fill any gaps between the vegetables and proteins.
  8. Transfer the quiche to the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 40 to 50 minutes until the center sets firmly and the top achieves a delicate golden-brown hue.
  9. Remove from the oven and let the quiche rest for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the custard to stabilize and the flavors to fully integrate before serving.

Notes

  • Cracking eggs at room temperature guarantees a smoother, more luxurious custard texture.
  • Experiment with various vegetable and cheese combinations to make each quiche uniquely yours.
  • Protein additions like crispy bacon or tender ham instantly transform this dish into a complete meal.
  • Fresh herbs sprinkled on top elevate the quiche from ordinary to extraordinary with minimal effort.
  • Layering ingredients strategically prevents vegetables and cheese from sinking during baking.
  • Storing leftovers properly ensures you can enjoy this delicious dish for up to three days.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 330 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 200 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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