Ham and Cheese Quiche

A simple and hearty meal for the whole family!

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For some, the word quiche conjures up thoughts of fancy French cuisine. That might make this kind of meal too intimidating to attempt. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Cooking a quiche couldn’t be more simple as long as you have some ham, a few varieties of cheese, and a pie crust. It’s actually not much different from baking a pie; you just have to be willing to give it a try.

This particular quiche is perfect for any occasion, even a special occasion. It’s something that can be thrown together quickly using leftovers. But it’s also something that I’ve personally whipped up on Christmas and Easter. You can serve it hot or let it cool for a few hours; it doesn’t matter. Either way, you’ll have a creamy and savory pie of ham and cheese that’s perfect for feeding a family at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

If you have success with this quiche, there are plenty of other quiche recipes out there to try. If you’re looking for a health-conscious quiche, try a gluten-free low-carb quiche with almond flour quiche. If that sounds a little too complicated, you can simplify things with a crustless quiche. Also, if you have leftover ham and cheese and you don’t know what to do with it, you can always make ham and cheese mini frittatas, which some might consider quiche by a different name.

Is Ham and Cheese Quiche Healthy?

This recipe for a ham and cheese quiche doesn’t exactly go out of the way to be healthy. It’s not terribly unhealthy, but it’s not necessarily meant to be a health-conscious meal. However, there are a few adjustments you can make to create a healthier quiche. With three types of cheese, you can look for low-fat varieties of those cheeses or those made with skim milk. It’s also possible to substitute normal milk with almond milk or oat milk. Finally, look for ham that’s lean or low in sodium to help make that part of the quiche a little healthier.

Crust is key

Let’s face it, there are only so many ways to manipulate ham, cheese, and eggs. That makes the pie crust the biggest key to a successful quiche. If possible, make your own pie crust rather than rely on a store-bought one. Ideally, you’ll have a crust that has a little butter flavor to it and remains flaky. Also, when you pre-bake the crust, consider using crust weights so that it doesn’t puff up too much.

Whether you use a homemade or store-bought crust, always remember that deeper is better. If the crust is too shallow, you run the risk of ingredients spilling out of the crust. Keep in mind that you have the freedom of adding more than just ham, cheese, and eggs to your quiche. Some folks like to thrown in vegetables, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, and other items they have sitting around. Therefore, a deep crust is needed to hold everything.

INGREDIENTS

1 pie crust (unbaked)
1 cup chopped ham
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup milk or half-and-half
4 large eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the oven and get your pie crust ready in its plate, then give it a quick prebake.

Layer

Let the crust cool, then layer in the ham and cheeses.

Mix & Pour

Whisk the egg mixture and gently pour it over the ham and cheeses.

Bake

Cook the quiche until set and golden, then let it cool slightly.

Serve & Enjoy

Let the quiche set before cutting into it, then serve.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If you’re preparing ahead of time, the quiche can be baked, cooled, and then stored in the fridge while covered 24 hours ahead of time. The leftovers should be good in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days if stored in an airtight container.

Do I have to pre-bake the crust?

Yes, you should always pre-bake the crust when cooking a quiche. This will prevent the crust from becoming too gummy or soggy.

Can this be a vegetarian quiche instead?

Absolutely, it’s easy to replace the ham with impossible meat or a selection of vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, or asparagus.

Serving Suggestions

Quiche is usually the main dish of a meal, but it still deserves a side dish. Whenever possible, try to complement your quiche with a little fruit. This could be as simple as a piece of fruit on the side of something like coconut milk quinoa fruit salad. A quiche is also great to pair with a smoothie. Perhaps everyone at the table will want their own special smoothie. Some might prefer a blueberry smoothie while other may prefer a green smoothie. Of course, vegetables can also be a suitable side dish for a quiche, grilled broccoli or low carb keto creamed spinach.