Easy Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe: Perfect Brunch Delight

Crab quiche represents a luxurious culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant meal.

Seafood enthusiasts and brunch lovers appreciate this sophisticated dish for its rich, creamy texture and delicate flavors.

Professional chefs and home cooks marvel at how effortlessly these ingredients blend into a stunning centerpiece.

The combination of tender crabmeat and smooth custard creates a harmonious balance that delights the palate.

Delicate herbs and high-quality cheese elevate this quiche from ordinary to extraordinary.

Each bite promises a subtle yet complex taste profile that feels simultaneously indulgent and refined.

You will savor every moment of this gourmet creation, knowing it’s perfect for special occasions or weekend gatherings: prepare to be impressed.

Method for Making Contessa Crab Quiche

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure the perfect cooking temperature for your quiche.

Step 2: Blind Bake the Pie Crust

Place the pie shell in the oven and bake for 10 minutes until it turns a light golden color. Remove and let it cool completely.

Step 3: Create the Quiche Filling

• 4 eggs
• Heavy cream
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 1 dash hot sauce
• Fresh crab meat
• Shredded Swiss cheese
• Finely chopped onion

Gently mix all ingredients until well incorporated.

Step 4: Fill the Pie Crust

Carefully pour the prepared filling into the cooled pie shell, ensuring even distribution.

Step 5: Bake the Quiche

Bake the quiche for 25 to 30 minutes until the filling is set and slightly golden on top. After baking, turn off the oven and let the quiche rest inside with the door closed for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. This helps the quiche set and stay warm.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice and serve warm for a delicious meal that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

Tips to Perfect Contessa Crab Quiche

• Stabilize Slice Structure: Let the quiche rest 10-15 minutes after baking to help it hold its shape and intensify flavors.
• Prep in Advance: Create this quiche ahead of time for effortless entertaining and stress-free brunch hosting.
• Maintain Creamy Consistency: Bake at low temperatures to prevent cracking and preserve a smooth, luxurious custard texture.
• Distribute Ingredients Strategically: Spread crab, cheese, and onions evenly to ensure each slice delivers a perfectly balanced bite.
• Season with Precision: Carefully balance salt, pepper, and hot sauce to highlight the crab meat's delicate natural flavors.

Storing Contessa Crab Quiche

• Vacuum Sealing: Protect your quiche's flavor and texture by vacuum sealing individual slices. Press out all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the delicate egg custard's creamy consistency. Store sealed portions in the freezer for up to 2 months without compromising taste or quality.
• Cool and Cover: Let the quiche cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating. Place in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid to lock in moisture and prevent flavor contamination. Separate layers with parchment paper to keep slices pristine and easy to retrieve.
• Reheating Strategy: Revive refrigerated quiche using a low-temperature oven method. Preheat to 325 degrees F and warm slices for 10-15 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Tasty Variations of Contessa Crab Quiche

• Seafood Sensation: Replace crab with a mix of shrimp and scallops for a rich ocean-inspired flavor profile that adds delightful texture and complexity to the classic quiche.
• Mediterranean Magic: Swap Swiss cheese with crumbled feta, add sundried tomatoes, and sprinkle fresh chopped basil for a Greek-inspired coastal version that brings vibrant Mediterranean notes to the dish.
• Vegetarian Voyage: Substitute crab with roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus, using goat cheese instead of Swiss for a lighter, plant-based alternative that maintains the quiche's creamy essence.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and diced green chiles into the original recipe, then top with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern rendition that adds bold, exciting flavors to the traditional quiche.

Looking Back at Contessa Crab Quiche

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s classic crab quiche, bridging coastal elegance with homemade comfort.

Mediterranean influences shine through delicate crab and Swiss cheese harmonies.

Rich egg custard creates luxurious texture beneath golden pastry edges.

Subtle spicy sauce whispers complexity across each creamy bite.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this dish promises memorable dining experiences for discerning palates.

Passionate cooks, share this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece across social networks, spark conversations, and inspire kitchen creativity among friends and fellow epicureans.

What Makes Contessa Crab Quiche So Tempting

• Savor Coastal Elegance: This quiche brings the luxurious taste of fresh crab right to your dining table, offering a sophisticated seafood experience that feels like a gourmet restaurant treat.
• Master Effortless Cooking: With simple steps and minimal ingredients, even novice home cooks can create a stunning dish that looks and tastes professionally prepared, boosting kitchen confidence.
• Enjoy Perfectly Creamy Texture: The combination of eggs, cream, and Swiss cheese creates a silky, smooth filling that melts in your mouth, complemented by delicate chunks of tender crab meat.
• Customize for Any Occasion: Whether you're hosting a brunch, preparing a light dinner, or looking for an impressive potluck contribution, this versatile quiche adapts beautifully to different meal settings.

Ingredients for Contessa Crab Quiche

• Pie Shell: Pre-baked pie crust that forms the base of the quiche, best when store-bought or homemade with a crisp and flaky texture.

• Crab, Swiss Cheese: Fresh crab meat provides rich seafood flavor, while Swiss cheese adds creamy and mild nutty undertones.
• Eggs: Essential binding ingredient that gives structure and richness to the quiche.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth and luxurious texture for the quiche filling.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasoning that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Hot Sauce: Adds a subtle spicy kick and depth to the quiche mixture.
• Onion: Provides a subtle aromatic and savory element to complement the crab and cheese.

Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s crab quiche brings coastal elegance to your table with delicate seafood nestled in a buttery, flaky crust. Rich custard and succulent crab merge into a luxurious French-inspired dish that will delight you at brunch or dinner.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) pack of imitation crabmeat, flaked
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded Swiss cheese
• ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Dairy and Cream:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasonings and Base:

• 1 (9-inch) deep-dish frozen pie crust
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 dashes of hot pepper sauce
• 1 stalk green onion, chopped

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), ensuring a consistent temperature for perfect baking.
2. Position the pie shell inside the oven and toast for approximately 10 minutes until it develops a light golden hue. Remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly until they become smooth and uniform in texture.
4. Gently incorporate heavy cream, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a dash of hot sauce, blending all ingredients until well combined.
5. Fold in delicate crab meat, shredded Swiss cheese, and finely diced white onions, distributing the ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.
6. Carefully transfer the entire mixture into the pre-baked pie shell, ensuring an even spread across the surface.
7. Slide the filled quiche into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a slightly firm center.
8. Once baking is complete, turn off the oven but leave the quiche inside with the door closed for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, allowing it to set and develop a rich, creamy consistency.
9. Remove the quiche from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve while still warm.

Notes

• Rest the quiche in the warm oven to achieve a perfectly set, creamy texture without overcooking.
• Fresh crab meat elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, bringing coastal luxury to your table.
• Swiss cheese introduces a rich, nutty depth that beautifully balances the delicate seafood flavors.
• Prepare this versatile quiche ahead of time for stress-free entertaining or quick weekend brunches.
• Room temperature ingredients guarantee a silky-smooth filling that will impress even the most discerning guests.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 303
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 548 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg