The One Egg Dish I Always Make Guests for Breakfast (2024)

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Faith Durand

Faith DurandSVP of Content

Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and former Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchn. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.

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updated Dec 21, 2023

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The One Egg Dish I Always Make Guests for Breakfast (1)

Ditch the crust, then take your pick of mix-ins.

Serves8 to 10Prep5 minutes to 10 minutesCook45 minutes

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The One Egg Dish I Always Make Guests for Breakfast (2)

Crustless quiche is similar to a traditional quiche where it has savory egg custard loaded with cheese and mix-ins, but it’s baked without a pie crust. It’s the easygoing egg bake answer to practically every breakfast problem I’ve ever seen. I feel positively evangelistic on this one, guys. I’ll even tell you to memorize the recipe because it’s that easy.

A crustless quiche is quite simply baked eggs and literally anything else you want to throw in. Like so many of our classic heroes, the easy egg bake of a crustless quiche goes by many names: egg bake, egg casserole, oven omelet. It’s a creamy, satisfying simple egg casserole, sans crust, and it’s a breakfast hero. (Also? Making pie dough for a quiche crust is totally a pain, so everyone wins by skipping it.)

The Base Formula for a Crustless Quiche

Remember how I said you could memorize it? Here’s the base formula for a quiche: 10 large eggs and 1 to 2 cups whole milk.

(If you want a sturdier, less custardy egg bake that can, for instance, get packed in a lunch box, use 1 cup or 1 1/2 cups milk instead.)

Add-ins for a Crustless Quiche

The best thing about a crustless quiche is that there are so many opportunities for customizing it. I add a pinch of salt and pepper, and rummage around in my cheese drawer and leftover scraps in the fridge. Next come in the add-ins: A bit of chorizo, my kids’ last cheese stick, those greens in the back of the fridge — I throw it all in and see what alchemy emerges.

Here are the categories of mix-ins you can choose from and a suggested amount:

  • Fresh tender greens: Use arugula or baby spinach, and coarsely chop them first. About 2 cups.
  • Cooked vegetables: Zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms – whatever you have lying around. About 1 cup.
  • Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes or grated fresh potatoes: These can help make the quiche more filling. About 1 cup.
  • Cheese: Gruyère, Swiss, feta, or cheddar – any of it works! About 1 cup grated or crumbled.
  • Cooked meat: Use breakfast meats like bacon, ham, or sausage, and chop it up if needed. About 1 cup.
  • Fresh herbs: Use tender herbs like Italian parsley or chives, and finely chop. About 1/4 cup.

The best crustless quiches never quite happen twice, as all those little bits bake up into one cheesy, satisfying breakfast slice. It’s the breakfast version of stone soup; start with eggs and milk and a little love and just keep adding and suddenly you have a feast.

Crustless Quiche Flavor Ideas

While I’m a huge fan of the impromptu leftover-style crustless quiche, I also know that sometimes you want a little more direction. Here are some of my favorite combinations:

  • Denver Omelet: Cook half a diced onion, a green pepper, and a small box of sliced mushrooms in butter until tender. Mix into the egg base with a cup (or two) of diced cooked ham and some shredded cheese.
  • Quiche Lorraine: Cook 4 to 8 slices of chopped thick bacon until crisp-tender and drain. Add a pinch of cayenne and nutmeg to the egg mix. Stir in the bacon and 8 ounces of shredded Swiss cheese.
  • Sweet Potato Arugula: Stir in a 12-ounce bag of chopped sweet potatoes (no need to thaw), a big handful of Parmesan cheese, and several handfuls of roughly chopped baby arugula.
  • Smoky Chicken Spinach: Slice a few links of cooked chicken andouille sausage and stir in a few handfuls of fresh, uncooked spinach. Add an 8-ounce bag of shredded cheese like cheddar or Swiss.

I often make one of these breakfast egg bakes on the weekend during my meal prep (see a full plan for a week of easy meals here) and then we eat off of it all week long for easy breakfasts, and adding salsa, yogurt, or a side of beans to jazz it up for lunches or even a last-minute dinner.

Anyone can do this — add a ton of cheese and some bacon for a full-on Christmas special, or keep it fresh and lean with chopped greens, leftover roasted veggies, and a dash of Parmesan for something more weekday. You can even freeze it for later! Freeze it unbaked, then thaw before that special guest comes over at Christmastime and you look like a hero with a hot baked egg casserole.

You’re just that good. Thank you crustless quiche — it’s a life lesson to learn once, and use forever.

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Crustless Quiche Recipe

Ditch the crust, then take your pick of mix-ins.

Prep time 5 minutes to 10 minutes

Cook time 45 minutes

Serves 8 to 10

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the base:

  • Cooking spray, butter, or oil, for the baking dish

  • 10

    large eggs

  • 1 to 2 cups

    whole milk

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

Any assortment of mix-ins such as:

  • About 2 cups

    coarsely chopped fresh tender greens, such as arugula or baby spinach

  • About 1 cup

    chopped cooked vegetables, such as zucchini or eggplant

  • About 1 cup

    frozen shredded hash brown potatoes or grated fresh potatoes

  • About 1 cup

    finely grated cheese, such as Gruyère, Swiss, or cheddar

  • About 1 cup

    chopped cooked meat, such as bacon, ham, or sausage

  • About 1/4 cup

    finely chopped fresh herbs, such as Italian parsley or chives

Equipment

  • 4-quart (or larger) mixing bowl

  • Whisk

  • 9x13-inch baking dish

Instructions

Show Images

  1. Heat the oven and prepare the baking dish. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, oil, or butter. Prepare any mix-ins while the oven is heating.

  2. Whisk the eggs. Place 10 large eggs in a large bowl and whisk until fully beaten.

  3. Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper. Add 1 to 2 cups whole milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. (If you want a sturdier, less custardy egg bake that can, for instance, get packed in a lunch box, use 1 cup or 1 1/2 cups milk instead.) Whisk until frothy.

  4. Add the mix-ins. Stir in any mix-ins such as meat, cheese, vegetables, or herbs (see above for amounts).

  5. Bake for 45 minutes. Pour into the prepared baking dish and arrange the mix-ins in an even layer. Bake until puffed around the edges and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The unbaked casserole can be covered and refrigerated overnight or frozen for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Uncover before baking.

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Filed in:

Breakfast

Casserole

easter

easy

Eggs

Freezer Friendly

The One Egg Dish I Always Make Guests for Breakfast (2024)

FAQs

Is one egg enough for breakfast? ›

Eggs are also a great source of vitamins A, D and B12, as well as choline, a nutrient essential in many steps of metabolism. Except for its cholesterol content, one egg is a healthy option for breakfast lunch or dinner.

Why is egg mostly a breakfast dish? ›

Eggs naturally became a breakfast staple because chickens and most other birds lay their eggs in the morning, and it made sense for farmers to eat the eggs at their freshest. As discussed earlier, breakfast began as a meal for menial workers, meaning it was mostly farmers and laborers eating breakfast anyway.

Are 2 eggs for breakfast enough? ›

Two eggs give you 12 grams of hunger-satisfying protein. Although 2 eggs does not complete your daily protein needs, it's a great start. Eating two eggs in the morning ensures you are on the right track to hit your protein consumption goal by the end of the day.

How many eggs for breakfast? ›

For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.

Is it OK to eat 4 eggs in one day? ›

The Heart Foundation currently sets no limit for healthy people when it comes to how many eggs you can eat per day. The key is enjoying them, as part of a healthy and balanced diet. That being said, there are some limitations to those who are more sensitive to consuming dietary cholesterol, as outlined below.

Is it OK to eat 3 eggs every morning? ›

Eating one to three eggs per day can have several health benefits, but this varies from person to person. At this level of consumption, people can expect minimal changes in their cholesterol levels. It is unclear whether there is an upper limit on how many eggs a person can eat per day.

What happens if I eat eggs for breakfast every day? ›

Eggs are also a great source of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate and B vitamins. Some research suggests that up to two eggs per day actually improves heart health. As with anything, moderation is important, especially if you enjoy eggs daily.

Can I eat 10 eggs a day? ›

Consuming 10 eggs per day is not recommended. Eggs are very high in protein, which is a nutrient that can impair kidney function and increased the risk for kidney stones if overly consumed. Eating 10 or more eggs per day is also not recommended because a healthy diet should be varied and diverse.

What is breakfast the most important meal? ›

Breakfast is often called 'the most important meal of the day', and for good reason. As the name suggests, breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period. It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health.

What's healthier, eggs or oatmeal? ›

Eating oatmeal for breakfast has been linked to weight loss, better nutrient intake, and lower risk for conditions such as diabetes. Oatmeal has soluble fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal may have some advantages over eggs for breakfast, but research studies have conflicting results.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggs in the morning? ›

If you're trying to cut back on calories, choose poached or boiled eggs. These cooking methods don't add any extra fat calories, so the meal will be lower in calories than fried or scrambled eggs or an omelet.

Which is better for diabetics, eggs or oatmeal? ›

Oatmeal has also been shown to decrease blood glucose in 14 patients with uncontrolled T2DM [11]. In contrast, eggs are identified as a food that might raise plasma LDL-C [12], or that could potentially alter glucose metabolism and lead to diabetes [13].

Are scrambled eggs healthy? ›

As any of the highly qualified dietitians on the Men's Health advisory board. They're high in protein, low in calories, and contain a host of essential vitamins and minerals. Eggs are also incredibly delicious, and I don't need experts to agree with me there (though I'm sure they would).

Are fried eggs healthy? ›

Just like eggs cooked in other ways, fried eggs are rich in nutrients and can contribute towards a healthy diet when eaten as part of a balanced meal. However, the type of fat used in the pan is important.

Are eggs bad for cholesterol? ›

One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice. If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites.

Can I eat only eggs for breakfast? ›

Eggs can be a healthful source of protein, but they should not be the only food a person eats. The egg diet may lead to weight loss initially, but it is not a balanced or safe weight loss plan in the long-term. Once a person returns to their usual eating pattern, they may regain the weight.

Is one egg enough food for a day? ›

The American Heart Association suggests(link opens in new window) one egg (or two egg whites) per day for people who eat them, as part of a healthy diet.

Is one egg enough protein in the morning? ›

Each large egg contributes about 6 grams of protein.3 You'll probably need more than one for a complete breakfast anyway, but for more protein, you can add cheese or your favorite breakfast meat.

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