This spinach cheese quiche recipe is simple, and tasty and only takes 10 minutes before it’s ready for the oven. Spinach has a ton of health benefits – Popeye was not lying!
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Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a quiche as an unsweetened custard pie usually having a savory filling, such as spinach, mushrooms or ham. The history of the quiche – meaning, who to give the credit to – is complicated. While it’s considered a French dish, Quiche Lorraine (made with bacon or ham) was created during a time when the Lorraine Region in France was under German rule. Even the word ‘quiche’ comes from the German word for cake – ‘kuchen’. So, is it French? Is it German? Let’s call the whole thing quiche.
While the heyday for the quiche (at least, in the United States) may have been the 1970s and 1980s, it’s still popular today. Cottage cheese has gone viral lately, with people wanting to add protein into their diets, and cottage cheese is an ingredient that can easily be added into a quiche. In fact, quiche is sometimes referred to as an “anti-waste food” because pretty much anything savory can go in a quiche. Leftover meat in the fridge? Put it in your quiche. Broccoli or leeks about to go bad? The more the merrier when it comes to quiche, just make sure to get rid of any excess water from the vegetables before adding them to your recipe so the quiche doesn’t end up soggy.
For the purposes of this recipe, the spotlight is on spinach. The savory flavors of the spinach and shallots compliment the rich, creaminess of the Gruyère cheese and heavy cream. You will love this recipe because it’s easy, delicious and perfect for entertaining. Quiche is a dish that knows no time; it can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It pairs well with a salad or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. Here are some other quiche recipes to sink your teeth into: Best Quiche Recipe and Keto Quiche Recipe.
Is Spinach Cheese Quiche Healthy?
Spinach is one of the original superfoods. It contains calcium, which can help keep your bones and teeth healthy. It’s also a good source of magnesium, folate and iron. Popeye didn’t get those big muscles by accident!
If you want to go even healthier, and the heavy cream in the recipe is too much, substitute with greek yogurt or fat-free evaporated milk. You could also make the recipe using light cheddar cheese, instead of Gruyère, and just the egg whites instead of the entire egg. Also, add in some cottage cheese for extra protein.
For vegetarians, obviously don’t add bacon or ham to your quiche dish. Also, here is a recipe you will enjoy.
Our Secret for A Perfect Spinach Cheese Quiche
A quiche should be soft to cut into, but not watery. This is quiche, not soup. Spinach is mostly water, so the key is to make sure the frozen spinach is completely thawed and thoroughly drained. Spinach can be thawed in the fridge overnight or using the defrost setting on the microwave.
The crispiest part of the dish is the crust and for that extra-crisp, use a par-baked or fully baked crust.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 9-inch deep dish frozen pie crust
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup finely shredded Gruyère cheese (4 oz)
- 1 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and thoroughly drained
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep and Bake Crust
Preheat the oven and get your pie crust ready for its first bake to a lovely golden hue.
Sauté
Gently cook the shallots in butter until they’re soft and full of flavor.
Mix
Beat together the eggs and cream with spices for the rich custard base.
Assemble
Layer the ingredients in the crust and pour the custard over for a perfect distribution of flavors.
Bake Quiche
Let the quiche bake slowly until the custard sets and the top is golden and tempting.
Enjoy
Allow the quiche to cool slightly, then cut a slice and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
To store, after baking, let the quiche completely cool down, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or seal it in an airtight container. It’s good for up to 4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
We know it’s okay to put a variety of ingredients in quiche, but what is not okay is too many eggs. Stick to the recipe because too many eggs can make the quiche too rubbery when baked.
If you decide to make the crust yourself, you need to pre-bake it. Not doing so will result in soggy crust and no one wants that.
Serving Suggestions
While you’re letting the quiche cool, you can plate the side dish! Traditionally, a quiche goes with a salad. Try a salad with strawberry and bacon. If you’re serving quiche for breakfast or lunch, this Coconut Milk Quinoa Fruit Salad would be the perfect partner, Spinach Cheese Quiche also goes with potato salad:
Or, if you want a super simple side dish, just serve some fresh fruit with the quiche.
Spinach Quiche
Ingredients
- 1 9- inch deep dish frozen pie crust
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup finely shredded Gruyère cheese 4 oz
- 1 10- ounce package frozen chopped spinach defrosted and thoroughly drained
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400°F. Thaw the pie crust slightly and prick it with a fork before baking until golden.
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Melt butter in a skillet and cook shallots until soft, then let cool.
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Whisk together eggs, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
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Layer the shallots, Gruyère, and spinach in the pie crust, then pour the egg mixture over.
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Bake at 325°F for 50-55 minutes. Let the quiche cool slightly before serving.
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DEVOUR!
Nutrition
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