Gourmet Ina Garten Breakfast Quiche Recipe to Brighten Mornings

Breakfast quiche elevates morning meals from mundane to magnificent, transforming ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

This French-inspired delicacy whispers elegance with every golden, flaky bite.

Creamy eggs dance with savory fillings, creating a symphony of flavors that awaken sleepy taste buds.

Versatile and sophisticated, quiche adapts to your wildest ingredient fantasies: spinach, bacon, cheese, or whatever sparks your morning creativity.

Its delicate custard nestled in a buttery crust promises a gourmet experience that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Home cooks and professional chefs alike adore this dish for its simplicity and stunning presentation.

Prepare to dazzle your breakfast crowd with a quiche that tells a delicious story.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes in Ina Garten’s Breakfast Quiche

• Pie Crust: Choose a buttery, flaky variety that complements savory fillings.
• Dried Beans: Opt for clean, uniform beans to ensure even weight distribution during blind baking.
• Parchment Paper: Select a non-stick, heat-resistant sheet for smooth baking process.

• Country Ham: Pick a high-quality, smoky ham with rich, concentrated flavor.
• Green Onions: Select fresh, crisp onions with bright green tops for maximum flavor punch.
• Gouda Cheese: Choose aged gouda for deeper, more complex taste profile.

• Eggs: Use fresh, room-temperature eggs for smooth, creamy texture.
• Half-And-Half: Select full-fat version for luxurious, rich consistency.
• Kosher Salt: Pick coarse-grain salt for balanced, even seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Use freshly ground pepper for vibrant, aromatic kick.
• Vegetable Oil: Choose neutral-flavored oil with high smoke point for even cooking.

• Potatoes: Select firm, waxy potatoes that hold shape during cooking.

Tools for the Best Breakfast Quiche

• 9-inch Pie Pan: Essential for creating the quiche's base and shape.
• Medium Skillet: Perfect for crisping the ham to golden-brown perfection.
• Small Saucepan: Ideal for softening potatoes in vegetable oil.
• Fork: Needed to prick the pie crust and prevent air bubbles.
• Parchment Paper: Helps with blind baking and prevents sticking.
• Dried Beans: Serves as pie weights during blind baking.
• Medium Bowl: Used for whisking the smooth egg mixture.
• Whisk: Blends eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper effortlessly.
• Grater: Helps shred the gouda cheese into delicate strips.
• Sharp Knife: Great for chopping green onions and slicing potatoes.
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot bakeware.

Make Breakfast Special with Ina’s Quiche Instructions

• Prepare the Oven Landscape

Crank up your oven to a cozy 350°F, setting the stage for a quiche that’ll make taste buds dance with joy. This warmup ensures every bite is perfectly balanced and delightfully golden.

• Transform Ham into Crispy Goodness

Sizzle diced country ham in a skillet, stirring occasionally until it turns into crunchy, caramelized morsels that will add a punch of flavor to your quiche masterpiece.

• Craft the Quiche Foundation

Gently place pie crust into a 9-inch pan, creating gentle fork marks to prevent puffy surprises. Drape with parchment paper and sprinkle dried beans as magical weight guardians. Bake briefly to create a sturdy base that’ll hold all your delicious ingredients.

• Whip Up the Silky Egg Canvas

Blend eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper into a smooth mixture that’ll become the creamy heart of your quiche. Whisk with enthusiasm until the texture is uniform and inviting.

• Build Flavor Layers

Arrange softened potatoes and crispy ham across the crust. Scatter generous handfuls of gouda cheese and sprinkle green onions for a burst of freshness. Pour the egg mixture evenly, allowing ingredients to nestle together harmoniously.

• Bake and Celebrate

Slide the quiche into the oven’s warm embrace, baking for 35-40 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the center sets just right. Let it rest briefly, allowing flavors to mingle and settle into a perfect slice of comfort.

Tips to Customize Ina Garten’s Breakfast Quiche

• Boost Your Quiche Game: Expert Tips and Twists
• Customize Cheese Selection: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, creamy gruyère, or tangy blue cheese to transform the quiche's flavor profile and create your signature dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the quiche up to 24 hours in advance, storing it covered in the refrigerator. Simply reheat at 325°F for 15-20 minutes before serving, making meal planning a breeze.
• Vegetarian Variation: Swap country ham with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Sauté the vegetables until caramelized to develop deep, rich flavors that complement the egg custard.
• Crust Crafter's Secret: For an extra-flaky crust, freeze pie dough for 15 minutes before rolling. Brush the edges with egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown finish that elevates the entire quiche presentation.

How to Serve Ina’s Quiche in a Brunch Setting

• Serve with Fresh Salad: Pair the quiche with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture of the dish.
• Brunch Beverage Companion: Complement the quiche with a refreshing mimosa or a hot cup of French press coffee to elevate the morning meal experience.
• Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped green onions or fresh chives on top just before serving to add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor.
• Create a Breakfast Spread: Arrange the quiche alongside fresh fruit, bacon, and croissants for a complete and satisfying weekend brunch that will impress your guests.

Ina’s Best Practices for Reheating Breakfast Quiche

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire quiche up to 24 hours before baking, covering tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerating. This technique saves time and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap cooled quiche slices individually in aluminum foil, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven at 325°F for best texture restoration.
• Refrigeration Guidelines: Store leftover quiche in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Always keep refrigerated at or below 40°F to maintain food safety and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm individual slices in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes to preserve the crispy crust and prevent soggy edges. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the texture rubbery and compromise the delicate egg mixture.

Effortless Ina Garten Breakfast Quiche Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s breakfast quiche combines creamy eggs, crisp bacon, and sharp cheddar in a flaky pastry crust. Savory aromas and rich flavors make this classic dish perfect for weekend mornings when you want something elegant yet comforting.

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Ingredients

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• 4 eggs (large)
• 1 cup gouda (aged, grated)
• ¾ cup half-and-half
• ½ cup ham (country, diced)
• 3 potatoes (new, sliced ¼-inch thick, about 1 ½ cups)
• 1 pie crust (9-inch, homemade or store-bought)
• 1 green onion (chopped)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 2–3 cups beans (dried, for pie weights)
• Vegetable oil (for poaching and sautéing)

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Instructions

1. Pie Crust Preparation: Perforate the pie crust with a fork in a 9-inch pie pan, creating small holes to prevent air pockets during baking.
2. Blind Baking Technique: Cover the crust with parchment paper, fill with dried beans as weights, and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Remove beans and parchment carefully.
3. Ham and Potato Sautéing: In a medium skillet, golden-brown country ham in vegetable oil, then cook sliced potatoes over low heat until tender. Drain and set aside.
4. Custard Composition: Whisk eggs, half-and-half, kosher salt, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth and uniform.
5. Layering and Assembly: Spread cooked potatoes across the pre-baked crust, top with browned ham, and sprinkle half the gouda cheese. Pour egg mixture evenly over the ingredients.
6. Cheese and Garnish: Distribute remaining gouda cheese and chopped green onions across the quiche surface.
7. Baking Process: Place quiche on the bottom oven rack and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns golden and the center is just set.
8. Resting and Serving: Let the quiche rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven to stabilize the filling and facilitate clean slicing.

Notes

• Blind Baking Brilliance: Pre-baking the crust with weights prevents a soggy bottom and ensures a crisp, flaky texture that holds up to moist fillings.
• Temperature Precision: Baking on the bottom rack helps create an evenly cooked quiche with a perfectly golden top and a set, creamy center.
• Resting Magic: Letting the quiche rest for 10 minutes after baking allows the custard to set completely, making slicing cleaner and preventing runny edges.
• Flavor Layering: Carefully building layers of potatoes, ham, and cheese ensures each bite is packed with delicious, well-distributed ingredients.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg