Elegant Spinach Quiche Recipe

Luscious Spinach Quiche Recipe: Ina Garten’s Brunch Marvel

Silky smooth and bursting with flavor, this spinach quiche by Ina Garten recipe promises a delightful culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds.

The classic French-inspired dish combines creamy eggs, tender spinach, and a buttery crust that melts in your mouth.

Every bite offers a perfect balance of rich, savory notes that make this quiche irresistible.

Garten’s expertise shines through in her carefully crafted method, ensuring a foolproof result even for novice home cooks.

The recipe’s simplicity belies its sophisticated taste, making it ideal for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner.

Each slice promises a comforting, elegant meal that feels both luxurious and homemade.

Dive into this delectable spinach quiche and let your kitchen become a canvas of delicious creativity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 8

All You Need for Ina Garten Spinach Quiche

For Pie Crust:
  • Pie Crust: Buttery and flaky base that provides a delicate foundation for the quiche, choose a high-quality, all-butter pastry for best flavor and texture.
For Aromatics and Sautéing:
  • Shallots, Butter: Subtle, sweet flavor enhancers that create a delicate aromatic base, select fresh, firm shallots with smooth, unblemished skin.
For Dairy and Binding:
  • Eggs, Heavy Cream, Gruyère Cheese: Creamy protein powerhouses that create a luxurious custard texture, opt for farm-fresh eggs and high-quality, aged Gruyère for robust flavor complexity.
For Seasoning and Spices:
  • Nutmeg, Salt, Cayenne Pepper: Warm, nuanced spice blend that adds depth and subtle heat, choose freshly grated nutmeg for maximum aromatic impact.
For Vegetable Component:
  • Spinach: Vibrant green nutritional powerhouse that adds color and earthiness, select fresh, crisp spinach leaves with deep green color and no wilting.

Tools for Making Ina Garten Spinach Quiche

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for whisking eggs and cream mixture smoothly.
  • Small Skillet: Perfect for softening shallots without browning.
  • Whisk: Key tool for blending eggs, cream, and seasonings evenly.
  • Baking Sheet: Helps transfer quiche in and out of oven safely.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Fork: Useful for pricking pie crust before baking.
  • Cheese Grater: Needed for shredding Gruyère cheese.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps with any ingredient preparation.

Cooking Instructions for Ina Garten Spinach Quiche

Cooking Instructions for Ina Garten Spinach Quiche

Spinach Quiche Adventure

  • Oven Preparation Cozy warmth awaits your quiche as you set the oven to 400°F, positioning the rack right in the middle for perfect cooking magic.
  • Crust Foundation Gently unfold your pie crust, letting it breathe and soften. Tenderly prick the surface with a fork, creating tiny escape routes for steam. Bake until it turns a delicate golden hue, about 10-15 minutes.
  • Shallot Whispers Melt butter in a gentle pan, inviting shallots to dance and soften without turning brown. Let them cool and rest after their brief culinary performance.
  • Creamy Egg Symphony Whisk eggs with cream, bringing together nutmeg, salt, and a whisper of cayenne for a flavor explosion that promises deliciousness.
  • Quiche Construction Layer your masterpiece by spreading shallots across the golden crust. Sprinkle Gruyère like snowflakes, then scatter spinach with artistic flair. Pour the egg mixture, watching it fill every delicate crevice.
  • Final Baking Transformation Lower the oven to 325°F and let the quiche transform. After 50-55 minutes, it emerges with a perfectly set custard and a gently bronzed surface, ready to be devoured and celebrated.

Switch Up Flavors in Ina Garten Spinach Quiche

Switch Up Flavors in Ina Garten Spinach Quiche
  • Patch small cracks in your pie crust with extra dough scraps before baking to prevent egg mixture leakage and maintain a perfect quiche base.
  • Experiment with different cheeses like sharp cheddar, fontina, or goat cheese to transform the quiche's flavor profile and add personal flair.
  • Prepare the entire quiche up to two days in advance, refrigerate, and reheat at 325°F for 20-25 minutes for a stress-free meal solution.
  • Mix in additional vegetables like roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, or sautéed mushrooms to create exciting flavor combinations and increase nutritional value.
  • Drain frozen spinach thoroughly by squeezing in a clean kitchen towel to prevent excess moisture from making your quiche watery and ensure a perfectly set custard.

How to Plate and Serve Ina Garten Spinach Quiche

  • Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, creamy quiche with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for a balanced meal that cuts through the richness.
  • Brunch Centerpiece: Showcase this elegant quiche as the star of your weekend brunch, surrounded by fresh fruit, mimosas, and light pastries.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a chilled glass of dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the quiche's delicate flavors.
  • Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or parsley on top to add a pop of color and a burst of fresh herbal notes to the dish.

Smart Storage Tips for Ina Garten Spinach Quiche

  • Store Smartly: Transfer leftover quiche to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness.
  • Freeze for Future Meals: Slice the cooled quiche into individual portions, wrap each securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen quiche stays delicious for 2-3 months.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated slices in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the crispy crust and creamy texture. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy edges.
  • Prep Ahead Strategy: Make the entire quiche up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate unbaked, then bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the cooking time.
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Elegant Spinach Quiche Recipe

Elegant Spinach Quiche Recipe


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4.7 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Classic spinach quiche emerges as a delightful French-inspired dish perfect for brunch or light dinner. Creamy eggs, tender spinach, and buttery crust combine effortlessly for a memorable meal you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1¼ cups (296 ml / 10 fl oz) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (4 oz / 113 g) finely shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 1 (10 oz / 283 g) package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and thoroughly squeezed dry
  • ½ cup thinly sliced shallots
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 (9-inch) deep dish frozen pie crust (preferably butter-based for better flavor and texture)
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Crust Preparation: Position oven rack in middle and preheat to 400°F. Soften pie crust at room temperature, then perforate bottom and sides with fork at 1-inch intervals to prevent bubbling.
  2. Initial Baking: Bake crust until light golden, approximately 10-15 minutes. Puncture any emerging bubbles to maintain smooth surface.
  3. Shallot Sautéing: Melt butter in skillet over medium-low heat, gently sauté shallots until translucent and tender, avoiding browning.
  4. Custard Crafting: Whisk eggs, heavy cream, nutmeg, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper in mixing bowl until smooth and thoroughly combined.
  5. Layering Foundation: Transfer pre-baked crust to rimmed baking sheet. Distribute cooled shallots evenly, then sprinkle Gruyère cheese and arrange fresh spinach leaves for balanced flavor profile.
  6. Custard Incorporation: Pour egg mixture over layered ingredients, allowing natural settlement and complete coverage.
  7. Final Baking: Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Bake quiche 50-55 minutes until custard sets completely and top achieves light golden appearance.
  8. Serving Preparation: Rest quiche 5-10 minutes after removing from oven, enabling custard stabilization and facilitating clean slicing. Serve warm for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

  • Crust Preparation Tip: Forking the pie crust creates steam escape routes, preventing unwanted bubbling and ensuring a crisp, even bake.
  • Shallot Sautéing Technique: Cook shallots slowly and gently to develop sweet, subtle flavors without introducing bitter burnt notes.
  • Custard Consistency Check: Whisk eggs and cream thoroughly to create a smooth, homogeneous base that guarantees a silky quiche texture.
  • Baking Temperature Precision: Lowering the oven temperature after pre-baking helps achieve a perfectly set custard without overcooking or cracking.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 160 mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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