The Heartwarming Ina Garten’s Ham And Cheese Quiche Recipe Delight

Weekends call for something special, and this ham and cheese quiche by Ina Garten strikes the perfect balance between comfort and elegance.

The classic combination of savory ham, creamy eggs, and melted cheese nestled in a buttery crust promises a delightful meal.

Each slice delivers a rich, golden experience that feels both indulgent and homemade.

The recipe blends simple ingredients with professional culinary techniques that elevate a traditional breakfast dish.

Garten’s approach ensures a foolproof method that even novice home cooks can master with confidence.

The quiche works beautifully for brunch, lunch, or a casual dinner, making it an incredibly versatile dish.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to create a mouthwatering masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 8

What’s in Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a tender, flaky foundation that cradles the quiche's luxurious filling with buttery perfection.
• Butter: Delivers rich, golden layers that melt deliciously in your mouth, providing incredible texture and depth.

• Ham: Brings smoky, savory protein that adds substantial character and hearty substance to the quiche.
• Honey Mustard: Introduces a tangy-sweet punch that elevates the ham's natural richness with bright, zesty notes.
• Green Onions: Contributes a mild, fresh bite that cuts through the richness and adds elegant complexity.

• Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese: Melts into a luxurious, golden blanket that connects ingredients with sharp and nutty undertones.
• Half-And-Half: Creates a silky, luxurious custard base that ensures ultra-smooth, creamy texture.
• Eggs: Acts as the magical binding agent that transforms liquid ingredients into a perfectly set, custardy filling.
• Salt: Subtly amplifies all other flavors, balancing the quiche's rich profile.
• Flour: Helps stabilize and thicken the egg mixture, ensuring a perfect, slice-able consistency.

Equipment Used for Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche

• 9-inch pie plate: Essential for creating the perfect quiche base.
• Fork: Needed to poke holes in the pastry crust.
• Mixing bowls: Three separate bowls for preparing cheese, ham, and egg mixtures.
• Whisk or large spoon: Perfect for blending ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for cutting green onions and serving the quiche.
• Oven mitts: Protect hands when handling hot dishes.

How to Bake Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche

Ham And Cheese Comfort Delight

• Pastry Foundation

Gently nestle a delicate pastry into a cozy pie plate, creating a warm home for your upcoming quiche. Softly poke tiny holes across the surface to help steam escape during baking.

• Cheese Whispers

Sprinkle a medley of cheese across the golden pastry base, creating a creamy landscape that will melt into every delightful bite. The cheese will create a protective layer against soggy bottoms.

• Savory Layers

Drape tender ham pieces kissed with a hint of honey mustard over the cheese, building a flavor bridge between crisp crust and silky filling.

• Custardy Magic

Whisk together eggs and cream until they transform into a luxurious, velvety mixture. Gently pour this liquid silk over the ham and cheese, allowing it to seep into every crevice.

• Crowning Glory

Scatter additional cheese across the top, creating a golden, crispy crown that will turn beautifully bronzed in the oven.

• Baking Ritual

Slide your creation into a warm oven, letting it bake until the center becomes firm and the edges dance with a gorgeous golden hue. The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma.

• Resting Moment

Allow your quiche to rest and settle, letting flavors mingle and textures harmonize before slicing into this comforting masterpiece.

Variation Ideas for Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche

• Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, Gouda, or fontina for unique flavor profiles that elevate the quiche's richness.
• Prepare the entire quiche up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake fresh when ready to serve, perfect for breakfast gatherings or brunch parties.
• Replace ham with crispy bacon, smoked salmon, or diced chicken for a protein-packed alternative that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Add roasted vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or caramelized onions to create a more substantial and nutritious quiche that packs extra flavor and nutrients.
• Swap traditional pastry with a gluten-free pie crust or create a crispy hash brown bottom for a unique texture that adds unexpected crunch and appeal to the classic quiche.

Plating Tips for Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy quiche.
• Create Brunch Spread: Complement the quiche with fresh fruit, croissants, and mimosas for a delightful weekend gathering.
• Perfect Side Accompaniments: Add roasted asparagus or sautéed cherry tomatoes to enhance the meal's flavor profile and nutritional variety.
• Slice and Share: Cut into wedges for easy individual servings at brunches, potlucks, or casual family breakfasts.

Storing Ina Garten Ham and Cheese Quiche Leftovers

• Store Fresh and Fabulous: Keep leftover quiche in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispy crust and prevent soggy edges. Microwave works in a pinch but might soften the pastry.
• Freeze for Later: Slice quiche into individual portions, wrap securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen quiche stays delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare quiche in advance for easy breakfast or brunch. Cut into individual servings, store in grab-and-go containers for quick weekday meals. Perfect for busy mornings when time is tight and hunger strikes quickly.

Foolproof Ham And Cheese Quiche Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s ham and cheese quiche delivers a classic French-inspired brunch delight with flaky pastry and rich, creamy filling. Cheese lovers appreciate its elegant simplicity and comforting flavors you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 eggs (beaten)
• 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) half-and-half
• 1 (9 inch/23 cm) refrigerated pie pastry
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded Cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) shredded Swiss cheese
• ½ cup (85 g) diced cooked ham
• 2 tbsps honey mustard
• ¼ cup (40 g) chopped green onions
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Gently press pastry into a 9-inch pie plate, ensuring even coverage along bottom and sides.
2. Blind Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F and partially bake crust for 10 minutes, piercing surface with fork to prevent bubbling, achieving a light golden color.
3. Cheese Foundation: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and sprinkle a blend of sharp cheddar, Swiss cheese, and flour evenly across warm pastry base.
4. Protein Layer: Coat diced ham with honey mustard and distribute carefully over cheese foundation, creating a flavorful protein element.
5. Custard Creation: Whisk half-and-half, eggs, green onions, flour, and kosher salt into a smooth, silky custard mixture.
6. Quiche Assembly: Pour custard gently over ham layer, allowing even distribution without disturbing underlying ingredients, then top with remaining cheddar cheese.
7. Baking Process: Bake in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes until center sets and surface turns golden brown.
8. Resting Stage: Remove from oven and let quiche rest for 10 minutes, allowing custard to stabilize and facilitate clean slicing.

Notes

• Blind Bake Technique: Par-baking the crust prevents soggy bottoms and ensures a crisp, golden foundation for your quiche.
• Cheese Distribution Trick: Mixing flour with cheese helps prevent liquid separation and creates a smooth, stable base layer.
• Mustard Coating Hack: Tossing ham in honey mustard adds unexpected depth and prevents bland protein layers.
• Resting Period Magic: Allowing the quiche to rest for 10 minutes after baking helps set the custard and makes clean, precise slicing possible.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg