Ina Garten Ham And Cheese Quiche Recipe

The Coziest Ina Garten Ham And Cheese Quiche Recipe Ever

Ham and cheese quiche transforms ordinary breakfast into a luxurious morning experience that delights taste buds with its creamy, savory profile.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this delectable dish as a weekend staple that brings families together.

Warm, flaky pastry cradles rich ingredients in a harmonious blend of comfort and sophistication.

Layers of melted cheese intermingle with tender ham, creating a mouthwatering combination that satisfies hearty appetites.

Eggs provide a silky custard base that binds the filling with elegant simplicity.

Light yet substantial, this quiche offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will impress everyone at the table: let’s dive into culinary magic.

Why Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche Wins Brunch

Why Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche Wins Brunch
  • Savor Flavor Fusion: This quiche combines the smoky richness of ham with tangy honey mustard and creamy cheeses, creating a mouthwatering flavor explosion that dances across your taste buds.
  • Customize with Ease: The recipe offers simple steps and flexible ingredients, allowing home cooks of all skill levels to confidently prepare a delicious meal without complicated techniques or hard-to-find components.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for brunch, lunch, or light dinner, this quiche transitions seamlessly between casual family meals and elegant gatherings, making it a go-to dish for various occasions and dining styles.
  • Texture Triple Threat: Experience a delightful contrast of crispy pastry crust, smooth egg custard, and melted cheese that provides a satisfying combination of textures in every single bite.

Everything That Makes This Quiche So Good

Pie Crust:
  • Pastry, Pie Plate: Buttery and flaky base that holds the quiche, best when homemade or high-quality store-bought, provides a crisp foundation for the filling.
Cheese Ingredients:
  • Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese: Sharp and creamy cheeses that add rich flavor and melty texture, select aged varieties for deeper taste.
Protein Ingredients:
  • Ham, Half-and-Half, Eggs: Savory protein components that create the quiche's creamy and substantial filling, choose high-quality deli ham and fresh large eggs.
Supporting Ingredients:
  • Honey Mustard, Green Onions, Flour, Salt: Flavor enhancers and binding agents that add depth and help thicken the quiche, use fresh green onions and Dijon-style honey mustard for best results.

Flavorful Spins on This Classic Combo

  • Breakfast Scramble Makeover: Transform the quiche into a skillet-style breakfast by chopping the ham, cheese, and crust ingredients and cooking them together in a large pan.
  • Mediterranean Veggie Remix: Replace ham with roasted red peppers, spinach, and feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired version that brings fresh, vibrant flavors to the classic recipe.
  • Spicy Southwest Spin: Swap out traditional ham for chorizo, add jalapeños, and use pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, kick-packed quiche that brings southwestern flair to the breakfast table.
  • Smoked Salmon Elegance: Substitute ham with delicate smoked salmon, incorporate dill instead of green onions, and use cream cheese for a luxurious brunch-worthy variation that feels sophisticated and light.

A Savory Sendoff for Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche

Quiche lovers rejoice!

Ina Garten’s ham and cheese quiche brings French countryside comfort right to your kitchen table.

Culinary magic happens when golden pastry cradles layers of savory ham, melted cheese, and silky egg custard.

Rich flavors dance through each perfectly balanced bite, telling stories of classic breakfast comfort.

Home cooks can master this elegant dish with simple techniques and quality ingredients.

Passionate food enthusiasts: scroll down, share this recipe, leave comments celebrating this delectable masterpiece, and spread quiche love across your culinary community.

How to Bake a Savory Ham and Cheese Quiche

How to Bake a Savory Ham and Cheese Quiche

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Take a 9-inch pie plate and get ready for quiche magic.

Step 2: Create The Perfect Crust

  • Gently press pastry into the pie plate
  • Bake the pastry for 5 minutes
  • Poke holes with a fork
  • Bake for additional 5 minutes until lightly golden

Step 3: Lower Oven Temperature

Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) after removing the crust.

Step 4: Build The Cheese Foundation

Combine in a mixing bowl:
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Swiss cheese
  • Flour

Spread this cheesy mixture evenly over the warm crust.

Step 5: Add Savory Ham Layer

Mix in a separate bowl:
  • Ham
  • Honey mustard

Spoon this flavorful combination over the cheese layer.

Step 6: Create Creamy Egg Mixture

Whisk together:
  • Half-and-half
  • Eggs
  • Green onions
  • Flour
  • Salt

Pour carefully over the ham layer.

Step 7: Sprinkle Cheese Topping

Scatter remaining Cheddar cheese across the quiche surface.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Bake in the oven for 40 to 50 minutes until the center sets completely.

Step 9: Rest And Serve

Allow quiche to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy your delicious dish!

Pro Tips for Flaky Crust and Creamy Center

Pro Tips for Flaky Crust and Creamy Center
Recipe Tips for Ina Garten Ham And Cheese Quiche:
  • Perfectly Blind Bake the Crust: Prebake the pie crust for a crispy bottom that won't get soggy from the creamy egg mixture.
  • Flour Power for Smooth Mixing: Dust cheese and ham with flour to prevent separation and create a more cohesive, velvety texture in your quiche.
  • Strategic Layer Building: Create flavor-packed layers by spreading mustard on ham and sprinkling cheese with flour first, ensuring each bite is deliciously balanced.
  • Master the Doneness Test: Check quiche readiness by gently shaking the pan – a slight jiggle in the center means it's perfectly cooked but not overdone.
  • Patience Pays Off: Allow the quiche to rest for 10 minutes after baking, which helps it set and makes slicing clean and beautiful.

Storage Tips for Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche

  • Freeze Whole: Wrap the entire quiche in heavy-duty aluminum foil and freeze for maximum flavor preservation. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain the delicate texture of the egg custard and flaky crust. Frozen quiches can stay delicious for up to 3 months without compromising taste or quality.
  • Slice and Store: Cut the quiche into individual portions before freezing for convenient single-serving reheating. Place each slice in a separate freezer-safe container or wrapped in plastic wrap, which allows quick defrosting and reduces waste. Grab-and-go meals become effortless with this smart storage technique.
  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store the quiche in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Consume within 3 days for optimal freshness and taste.
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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