baked quiche with red peppers and spinach in a pie dish, cup of coffee, serving spatula, plates and forks and small ramekin of chili flakes in the background

RECIPE FOR CRUSTLESS QUICHE

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This Recipe for Crustless Quiche is the perfect way to clean out the fridge! Fill it with whatever combo your little heart desires, this basic formula will have you feeling like a Crustless Quiche making PRO in no time!

Looking for the perfect basic formula to make Crustless Quiche like a pro? This recipe for Crustless Quiche is so easy to follow, absolutely customizable and comes out perfect every single time. It’s a great way to feed large hungry crowds and my go-to meal when I have an abundance of fresh eggs and veggies lying around. Load it up with all your favourite fillings from meat to cheese to vegetables or keep it classic with crowd pleasing favourites like Ham and Cheese. However you decide to fill it, crustless quiches are fun and easy to make and a dish you can serve any time of day!

slice of quiche with spinach, red onion and pepper on a plate with 2 forks, rest of quiche on the side with more plates/forks, ramekins of salt and chili flakes

I’m not going to lie, if I made this recipe for crustless quiche for my very Italian grandparents (who are no longer with us and I miss throughout my cooking, daily) they’d probably just deem it a “frittata” and call it a day. Afterall, there’s no getting through to stubborn Italians.

But I mean, would they really be that wrong? Is a crustless quiche just a frittata? And is a frittata just an omelette?!

Well, dang. Let’s just eliminate the omelette out of the equation from the get go. Omelettes are normally thinner as the fillings go on top of the egg directly in the frying pan instead of combining them with the egg beforehand. Omelettes also cook quickly in a skillet or frying pan on a stove top, instead of slowly baked in the oven like a quiche is or a frittata can be.

close up of a crustless quiche baked with spinach and red peppers

Since the quiche in question is crustless and absent of the pastry crust that would obviously distinct itself from a frittata, you can see how my very Italian grandparents might naturally assume they’re the same thing. In short, they’re semi-right.

IS A CRUSTLESS QUICHE JUST A FRITTATA?

Both crustless quiches and frittatas are egg dishes that are easily customizable with whatever fillings you like. However, there are a couple main differences. Quiches, crustless or not, normally bake in pie pans. The pie pan kinda turns it into a “deep dish” frittata of sorts. A frittata normally cooks up in a cast iron or regular skillet. Started on the stove top and then finished in the oven under the broiler to brown it and cook the tops. However, my parents always skip that step. They just use the old flip it on a plate trick to get the top side onto the hot skillet. So, if you ask them, that would probably be the main difference between a crustless quiche and a frittata.

A quiche normally starts and finishes in an oven until the eggs are set so it takes more time than a frittata does to cook. A quiche relies on dairy for it’s wonderful richness and when mixed with the eggs, creates an egg custard. Whereas, in frittatas, dairy is totally optional and often not added. If one uses dairy, the quantity is way less than what a quiche calls for.

So, basically what I’m saying here, Nonna and Nonno, is that a crustless quiche is a version of a frittata that has more dairy, cooks up in a pie dish and normally baked in an oven from start to finish and therefore, takes longer to cook. We’ll settle on referring to crustless quiches as deep dish frittatas.

SO, NOW THAT THAT’S OUTTA THE WAY. WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE THIS THING?

ingredients for crustless quiche - optional veggies (red pepper and onions, spinach), cheese (crumbled goat and grated mozzarella), milk, salt/pepper, eggs
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

This recipe for crustless quiche really only requires three main ingredients: Eggs, Milk and Cheese. You can then choose to bake it as is. Or, fill it with all your favourite vegetables or meats. Let’s discuss the important stuff in a little bit more detail down below:

  • Eggs: Well, you can’t have a quiche of any kind without some eggs! This is the base of the quiche and what holds everything all together as it bakes in the oven. Since this is a crustless quiche, the eggs are an important part in both the outside and inside of the quiche!
  • Milk: What sets the quiche apart from it’s very similar cousin, the Frittata. I used regular whole milk but you can use plant-based or lactose free, if needed. You can also use heavy cream, half and half or a combination of the three. The mixture of the milk and eggs creates the wonderful texture of the egg custard.
  • Cheese: Use whatever cheese you have on hand or one that pairs well with your other ingredients. Skip the cheese entirely, if you want, too. Or, add more than one kind for extra flavours and different textures.
  • Optional Ingredients: Here’s the fun part! You can add whatever other ingredients you want for the filling (or none at all!). Use whatever veggies you have in the fridge, make a classic well-known version (such as spinach and mushroom or broccoli and cheddar), add in your favourite meats. Get creative with it! The options are actually endless.
  • Salt and Pepper: Cause IMHO, no egg dish should go without a little salt and peppa, you feel me? However, be aware of how salty your cheese or other ingredients are and adjust accordingly.
side view of baked quiche with red peppers and spinach in a pie dish, ramekin of chili flakes, cup of coffee, serving spatula and plates with forks around and in the background

HOW TO MAKE A CRUSTLESS QUICHE (KEY TIPS)

  • Use a pie dish to bake your crustless quiche! Even though this quiche has no pastry crust, baking it in a pie dish is crucial to keep it’s thickness – the “deep dish” feature that makes a quiche a quiche!
  • Grease the baking dish extremely well with cooking spray, oil or butter on both the bottom and sides all the way around. Since the quiche will come up the sides when you pour the mixture into the dish (remember, deep dish frittata!), you want it to be completely greased in order to avoid sticking. When the quiche is done baking and after it cools slightly, you should be able to easily remove it from the pan without any issues.
  • Use a wire whisk to really beat the eggs with the cream or milk. You want them to really blend together creating a custard mixture that will hold up with the remaining ingredients.
  • To avoid a watery quiche, make sure all your ingredients are as dry as possible before adding them in with the rest of the ingredients. Watery veggies such as mushrooms and spinach require cooking beforehand to extract any moisture. PRO TIP: Pat the veggies dry with a paper towel before mixing them in.
  • Be aware which veggies need sautéeing or cooking beforehand (You can do this step up to two days in advance!) See the recipe card below for some guidance.
  • Save some veggies or cheese for the top for a pop of colour and flavour. After you pour the quiche mixture into the greased pie dish, sprinkle on some extra cheese or veggies such as green onions. These ingredients will remain on top and won’t sink into the quiche as it bakes making it extra pretty and colourful when it comes out of the oven. Also, this will help easily distinguish the kind of quiche since the ingredients are visible to the eye (great when serving large crowds with more than one variety of quiche on the table!)
  • Do not overbake. The quiche is done when the edges are set but it wobbles a bit in the center. Keep in mind that the quiche will continue cooking a bit even after you remove it from the oven (while it’s still in the hot pan). Because of this, it’s actually better to slightly under bake it, than to overbake it. When in doubt, take it out! PRO TIP: To check for doneness, insert a thin knife about 1-inch away from the center. If the knife comes out clean, the quiche is ready and you can remove it from the oven. If some of the quiche is on the knife, cook a few minutes longer.
  • Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
plate with a triangular slice of crustless quiche with red pepper and spinach, rest of quiche in pie dish in the background next to a cup of coffee and plates/forks
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I HAVE TO PRECOOK THE FILLINGS TO MAKE A QUICHE?

Yes, since the ingredients will be submerged in the egg custard, most won’t be able to fully cook from just the time it spends in the oven. Cooking them beforehand not only softens them up and ensures nothing in our quiche ends up raw but releases unwanted moisture. However, with that being said, there are certain ingredients you can get away with not pre-cooking. See the recipe card down below for some guidance.

CAN I PREPARE THIS CRUSTLESS QUICHE IN ADVANCE?

Yes! You can definitely prepare this quiche in advance. To save time and for convenience, cook your veggies or other ingredients up to 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Mix them into the quiche when ready to use. Alternatively, you can assemble the quiche into the baking dish the day before you want to bake it. Cover it with plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge. When ready to cook, let sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then bake according to the recipe card down below.

CAN I FREEZE THIS CRUSTLESS QUICHE AFTER IT’S COOKED?

You sure can and they make for great quick and easy breakfasts for busy days. Allow the quiche to cool completely then slice and individually wrap tightly in portions in plastic wrap or foil. Store in a ziploc freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

HOW SHOULD I STORE LEFTOVER QUICHE?

Leftover quiche should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to three days. Simply reheat in a 350° oven or microwave when ready to eat.

HOW DO I KNOW THE QUICHE IS DONE COOKING?

The quiche is ready when the outer edges are firm but the center jiggles a little. To check for doneness, insert a thin knife about 1-inch away from the center. If the knife comes out clean, the quiche is done and you can remove it from the oven. If some of the quiche is on the knife, cook a few minutes longer.

baked quiche with red peppers and spinach in a pie dish, ramekin of chili flakes on the side, serving spatula and plates/forks at the bottom
half photo of baked crustless quiche in a pie dish with spinach and red pepper, forks/plates in background with ramekins of salt and chili flakes

CRUSTLESS QUICHE EASY RECIPE

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Basically a deep dish Frittata but oven baked and with more dairy. Completely customizable and totally delicious.

Ingredients

  • 6 Eggs
  • 1 cup Milk, Cream or Half and Half
  • 1 cup Cheese
  • 1.5 cups Mix-ins (such as meat or veggies), optional* (see notes)
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° and place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Generously grease a deep 9-inch pie pan all over.
  2. Prepare any mix-ins. Grate or crumble any cheeses, sautée the veggies that need cooking (see below for guidance) and pre-cook any meat. I used red bell pepper, red onion and spinach for my veggies. And goat cheese and mozzarella for my cheeses.
    skillet with sautéed red onions, red peppers and spinach
  3. In a large bowl, add the eggs, milk/cream and salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
    bowl of milk, eggs, salt and pepper
  4. Gently stir in the cheese and the mix-ins (reserving some for the top, if desired).
    bowl of milk, eggs, veggies, shredded cheese, crumbled goat cheese
  5. Pour into the prepared pie dish and transfer to the hot oven. Bake 30-35 minutes, until the edges are firm and the center is still a little wobbly.
    unbaked crustless quiche with veggies in a pie dish
  6. Cool for 5 minutes before slicing into 4 even wedges. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.
    baked crustless quiche in a pie dish with spinach and red peppers, cut into 4 pieces

Notes

  • These veggies should be cooked before assembling the quiche: onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, peppers, mushrooms, spinach or other leafy greens, broccoli, potatoes or sweet potatoes, bacon, sausage, ground meats, chorizo, sliced zucchini.
  • These veggies don't need to be pre-cooked and can be added right to the egg mixture: cured meats, peas, cubed ham, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, fresh herbs, green onions, chopped asparagus, grated zucchini, canned or smoked salmon.
  • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 324mgSodium: 413mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 19g

    Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.

    Did you make this recipe? I love seeing your creations!

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    LOVE EGGS? TRY MY INSTANT POT HARD BOILED EGGS OR MY FLUFFY SCRAMBLED EGG RECIPE NEXT!

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