Quick & Easy Ina Garten Ham And Cheese Quiche Recipe

Ham and cheese quiche represents a culinary marvel that transforms simple ingredients into a delightful meal bursting with flavor and comfort.

Creamy eggs nestled between flaky pastry create a harmonious blend of textures that dance across your palate.

Professional chefs and home cooks appreciate this versatile dish for its incredible adaptability and crowd-pleasing potential.

Rich, golden-brown crusts cradle a silky custard studded with savory meat and melted dairy goodness.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this classic recipe offers a seamless balance between indulgence and nourishment.

Weekend gatherings or quiet family meals become extraordinary with such a charming centerpiece.

Prepare to elevate your cooking skills and delight everyone around the table: bon appétit!

What Makes Ina Garten’s Ham and Cheese Quiche a Delicious Brunch Option

• Craft Culinary Comfort: This quiche transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal that feels like a warm hug from your favorite chef, delivering restaurant-quality flavor right in your kitchen.
• Master Quick Gourmet Technique: By using blind baking and strategic layering, you'll create a perfectly crisp crust and evenly distributed fillings without complicated cooking skills, making professional-level cooking accessible to everyone.
• Maximize Versatile Meal Potential: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or light dinner, this quiche adapts effortlessly to different occasions, offering a protein-packed dish that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds with minimal preparation time.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Ham and Cheese Quiche

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking flour for a tender, flaky pie crust with smooth texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates flaky layers in the pastry.
• Salt: Enhances overall pastry flavor and balances the butter's richness.

• Ham: Adds savory, smoky flavor and protein to the quiche. Best when diced into small, uniform pieces.
• Gruyère Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melt beautifully and provide creamy, rich taste. Sharp varieties offer more intense flavor.

• Eggs: Primary binding agent that creates the quiche's custardy texture. Fresh eggs yield the best results.
• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Creates smooth, rich custard base. Full-fat dairy provides better flavor and texture.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the egg mixture.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances the dish's flavors.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Ham and Cheese Quiche

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Dough

Roll out a pie dough to perfectly fit a 9-inch pie plate. Gently press the dough into the plate, tucking any extra edges underneath. Create a beautiful crimped border if you want, then pop the crust into the freezer for 30 minutes to chill.

Step 2: Preheat and Set Up for Blind Baking

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the chilled crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Place the crust in the lower part of the oven and bake for 20 minutes to create a solid base.

Step 3: Continue Baking the Crust

Remove the pie weights and parchment paper. Return the crust to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until it turns a light golden color. Allow the crust to cool slightly.

Step 4: Prepare the Egg Mixture

• 4 large eggs
• Heavy cream or half-and-half
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.

Step 5: Layer Cheese and Ham

• Shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese (first layer)
• Diced ham
• Remaining of cheese on top

Step 6: Pour the Egg Mixture

Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture over the ham and cheese. Ensure the liquid fills all the spaces without overflowing the crust.

Step 7: Bake and Rest the Quiche

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. The edges should be firm, and the center will have a slight jiggle. Let the quiche cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the quiche set perfectly and makes cutting easier.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Ham and Cheese Quiche

• Elevate Flavor Subtly: Mix a teaspoon of Dijon mustard into the egg mixture for an unexpected, delightful taste that complements the ham and cheese without overwhelming.
• Shield Your Crust Strategically: Brush the pie crust with a beaten egg before blind baking to create a protective layer that blocks moisture and maintains a perfectly crispy texture.
• Ensure Smooth Mixing: Allow eggs, milk, and ham to reach room temperature before combining, which promotes even baking and creates a silky, luxurious quiche consistency.
• Master Baking Precision: Perform the toothpick test by inserting it into the quiche's center; a nearly clean pick with a slight wobble signals it's perfectly cooked and ready to serve.
• Customize with Confidence: Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère or sharp cheddar to personalize the quiche and make it uniquely yours, adding depth and personal flair to the classic recipe.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Ham and Cheese Quiche

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect your quiche's texture and taste by vacuum sealing individual slices. Extract all air to prevent moisture buildup and freezer burn. Keeps quiche fresh for up to 3 months without quality loss.
• Layered Parchment Method: Stack quiche slices between parchment paper sheets inside an airtight container. Prevents slices from sticking together and maintains structural integrity. Allows easy removal of single portions without damaging delicate crust.
• Temperature-Controlled Storage: Store quiche at consistent 40°F in the refrigerator's back section, away from temperature fluctuations. Use shallow containers to help cool quickly and evenly. Minimizes bacterial growth and preserves original flavor profile for maximum enjoyment.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Ham and Cheese Quiche

• Vegetarian Veggie Delight: Swap ham with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a colorful, nutritious quiche packed with garden-fresh flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Replace ham with chorizo sausage, add jalapeños, and sprinkle pepper jack cheese for a zesty, southwestern-inspired version that brings bold heat to the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Substitute ham with crumbled feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, and fresh herbs like basil and oregano, creating a light and aromatic Mediterranean-style quiche that transports your taste buds.
• Smoked Salmon Elegance: Trade ham for flaked smoked salmon, incorporate dill, and use cream cheese for a luxurious, brunch-worthy quiche that feels sophisticated and indulgent.

Ina Garten’s Ham and Cheese Quiche: A Savory Brunch Favorite

Quiche magic emerges from this Ina Garten classic, blending French culinary elegance with comforting home-style charm.

Flaky pastry cradles savory ham and melted cheese, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that dance across palates.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal that whispers gourmet sophistication.

Breakfast, brunch, or light dinner options become extraordinary with this foolproof technique.

Culinary confidence grows with each perfectly baked slice, inviting home cooks to explore their inner chef.

Passionate food enthusiasts will find themselves captivated – so share this delightful recipe, comment with your quiche adventures, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms.

Ina Garten Ham And Cheese Quiche Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s ham and cheese quiche combines classic French culinary elegance with homestyle comfort. Rich, flaky pastry cradles a luxurious blend of savory ham, melted cheese, and creamy eggs that promise to delight your palate and warm your soul.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Cheese:

• 1 ½ cups diced cooked ham
• 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese

Eggs and Dairy:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Pastry:

• ½ (14.1 ounces / 400 grams) package of refrigerated or frozen pie dough, thawed if frozen (or use homemade)

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Instructions

1. Transform the pie dough into a perfectly shaped crust by gently rolling it to fit a 9-inch (23-centimeter) pie plate. Carefully press the dough into the plate, elegantly folding any excess underneath. Create decorative crimped edges if desired, then place the prepared crust in the freezer for a precise 30-minute chilling period.
2. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully line the thoroughly chilled crust with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage. Fill the lined crust with ceramic pie weights or dried beans, distributing them evenly to prevent bubbling. Position the crust in the lower third of the oven and bake for exactly 20 minutes.
3. Meticulously remove the pie weights and parchment paper. Return the partially baked crust to the oven for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, allowing it to develop a delicate golden hue. Set aside to cool slightly and stabilize.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with selected dairy, incorporating a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Continue whisking until the mixture becomes smooth, light, and wonderfully frothy.
5. Distribute half of the grated cheese evenly across the cooled crust’s surface. Scatter the diced ham uniformly over the cheese layer, then crown with the remaining cheese, creating a delectable foundation.
6. Gently pour the whisked egg mixture over the ham and cheese, ensuring complete and even coverage. Carefully maneuver the liquid to fill all spaces without causing overflow.
7. Transfer the quiche to the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. The ideal quiche will showcase firm edges with a subtle center jiggle. Allow the quiche to rest and settle for a minimum of 20 minutes before slicing, enabling perfect structural integrity.

Notes

• Savor this versatile quiche at room temperature for the most delectable flavor and stunning presentation.
• Refrigerate leftovers and reheat gently to preserve the quiche’s delicate, velvety texture.
• Experiment with ingredient swaps like crispy bacon, fresh spinach, or your personal favorite mix-ins for endless culinary creativity.
• Whisk eggs thoroughly to incorporate air, guaranteeing a light, cloud-like quiche texture that melts in your mouth.
• Position the quiche on a lower oven rack to achieve a perfectly golden, evenly baked bottom crust that crumbles with delightful crispness.
• Allow the quiche to rest after baking, giving the custard time to set completely and develop its rich, silky consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 364 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 186 mg