This Spinach-Cheese Quiche is simple, tasty, and perfect for brunch.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a quiche as an unsweetened custard pie with a savory filling—think spinach, mushrooms, or ham. The history of the quiche is complicated. While it’s considered a French dish, the term “quiche” likely comes from the German word for cake: Kuchen. This is because the dish is thought to have originated in the German region of Lothringen, which later became the Lorraine region of France.
While the heyday for quiche in the United States may have been the 1970s and 1980s, it’s still popular today, partly because it’s so customizable. 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 complement 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, so feel free to get creative with it.
Is This Spinach-Cheese Quiche Healthy?
Spinach is one of the original superfoods. It contains calcium, along with magnesium, folate, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K. Popeye didn’t get those big muscles by accident! This recipe also contains eggs, which are a great source of protein and other minerals.
Other ingredients in this quiche are best reserved for the occasional indulgence, such as butter, cheese, and heavy cream. If you wanted to lighten things up a bit, you could use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream and light cheddar cheese instead of Gruyère. Of course, the final result won’t be as rich.
The Secret To 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 by using the defrost setting on the microwave. Once it’s fully thawed, wring out the spinach in some paper towels or a clean tea towel to really remove any excess moisture.
Another key is to parbake the pie crust. This will ensure it stays nice and crisp while your quiche sets in the oven.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
After baking, let the quiche cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or seal it in an airtight container. It will stay good for up to 4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Serving Suggestions
Feeling the urge to be truly DIY? You can always make your own Perfect Pie Crust. And while you’re letting the quiche cool, you can plate the side dish! Traditionally, a quiche goes with a salad. Try serving yours with a delicious Mâche Salad, Strawberry-Walnut Salad, or Green Salad. Or, if you want a super simple side dish, just serve some fresh fruit with the quiche.
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch deep-dish frozen pie crust
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup shallots thinly sliced
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- pinch ground nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese finely shredded
- 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach defrosted and thoroughly drained
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Thaw the pie crust slightly and prick it with a fork. Blind-bake the pie crust until golden, around 15 minutes.
- Melt butter in a skillet and cook shallots until soft, then let cool.
- Whisk together eggs, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
- Layer the shallots, Gruyère, and spinach in the pie crust, then pour the egg mixture over.
- Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 50-55 minutes. Let the quiche cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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