Are you looking for a quick, healthy, and utterly delicious dinner recipe? Look no further! This Spinach Ham Quiche is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or a delightful weekend brunch. It’s surprisingly easy to make, packed with flavor, and endlessly customizable to your taste. Forget complicated recipes; this one is a masterclass in simple, homemade cooking that delivers big on taste. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for both beginners in the kitchen and experienced cooks alike. Let's dive in!
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet (14.1 ounces) ready-made pie crust
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 cup diced cooked ham
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate. Unfold the pie crust and gently press it into the pie plate, ensuring it fits snugly. Trim any excess crust. This simple step ensures your quiche has a beautifully crisp base.
Sauté the vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the thawed and squeezed spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes, just to wilt slightly. This step adds depth of flavor and ensures the spinach isn't overly watery in the final quiche.
Assemble the quiche: Spread the sautéed onion and spinach mixture evenly over the pie crust. Top with the diced ham.
Whisk the egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, and pepper until well combined. The smooth mixture ensures an even texture in the finished quiche.
Bake: Pour the egg mixture over the ham and vegetable filling. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese (optional). Carefully place the pie plate in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the quiche is set and golden brown. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.
Tips for the Best Spinach Ham Quiche:
- Don't overcook the spinach: Squeeze out as much excess water as possible from the thawed spinach to prevent a soggy quiche.
- Use good quality ham: The flavor of the ham really shines through in this recipe, so opt for a high-quality deli ham or leftover roast ham.
- Blind baking (optional): For an extra-crisp crust, you can pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling. This prevents a soggy bottom.
- Customize it: Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes. You could also experiment with different cheeses.
Variations:
- Vegetarian Quiche: Omit the ham and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted red peppers.
- Spicy Quiche: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the egg mixture for a little kick.
- Gourmet Quiche: Use Gruyère or Swiss cheese instead of cheddar for a richer flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Protein: 15-20g
- Fat: 20-25g
- Carbohydrates: 10-15g
This Spinach Ham Quiche recipe is a fantastic example of healthy meals that are quick to prepare and extremely satisfying. It’s the perfect addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and best recipes for any occasion. Enjoy!