If you’re searching for a delicious, comforting dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, this easy Quiche Lorraine recipe is exactly what you need. A classic French tart filled with rich custard, smoky bacon, and creamy cheese, Quiche Lorraine offers a perfect balance of flavors that works wonderfully for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner. With its flaky crust and indulgent filling, it’s perfect for beginners and anyone looking to bring a slice of timeless French cuisine into their kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple to prepare: Uses common ingredients and straightforward steps, making it beginner-friendly.
- Versatile mealtime option: Serves well for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, adjusting easily to your schedule.
- Rich and satisfying flavors: Combines smoky bacon and creamy cheese with a silky egg custard.
- Make ahead friendly: Delicious warm or cold, perfect for prepping in advance or entertaining guests.
- Customizable: Easily tailored to personal taste with different cheeses or added vegetables.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Quiche Lorraine recipe depends on a handful of essential ingredients that bring depth and texture to the dish. Each component contributes unique elements from the crispy bacon to the smooth custard, all wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust.
- Pie crust: A pre-made or homemade flaky pastry base provides the perfect structure for the filling.
- Bacon: Adds that classic smoky, salty flavor integral to Quiche Lorraine.
- Eggs: The foundation for the creamy custard that sets the filling.
- Heavy cream or whole milk: Ensures a rich and silky texture in the custard mixture.
- Gruyère or Swiss cheese: Melts beautifully to add a nutty, savory dimension.
- Onion: Provides a gentle sweetness that balances the saltiness of bacon.
- Salt and pepper: To season and enhance the overall flavors.
Variations for Quiche Lorraine
The best part about this Quiche Lorraine is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to mix things up for dietary reasons or just love experimenting with flavors, these variations make the recipe adaptable to every kitchen.
- Vegetarian version: Swap bacon for sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for a meat-free delight.
- Different cheeses: Use cheddar, feta, or goat cheese to explore new flavor profiles.
- Crustless option: Skip the pie crust for a lighter, low-carb alternative.
- Herb infusion: Add fresh thyme, chives, or parsley to brighten the filling.
- Dairy-free adjustment: Use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese substitutes for those with lactose intolerance.
How to Make Quiche Lorraine
Step 1: Prepare the crust
Start by rolling out your pie crust and fitting it into a 9-inch tart pan or pie dish. Use a fork to prick the base gently, then chill it in the fridge for about 15 minutes to prevent shrinking when baked.
Step 2: Cook the bacon and onions
While the crust chills, cook chopped bacon in a skillet until crisp, then remove excess fat. In the same pan, sauté diced onions until soft and translucent, combining them with the cooked bacon for the filling.
Step 3: Blind bake the crust
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans, then bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden. Remove weights and paper before adding the filling.
Step 4: Mix the custard filling
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir in the cooked bacon, onions, and shredded cheese, then pour this mixture evenly into the pre-baked crust.
Step 5: Bake the quiche
Bake the filled quiche in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is lightly golden. Allow to cool slightly before slicing for the best texture.
Pro Tips for Making Quiche Lorraine
- Use cold ingredients: Keep eggs and cream chilled to help the custard set properly.
- Don’t overfill the crust: Leave some space to avoid spills and ensure even baking.
- Blind bake crust carefully: This prevents sogginess from the custard filling.
- Let it rest: Allow the quiche to cool at least 10 minutes before slicing to achieve clean slices.
- Experiment with baking times: Depending on your oven, check for a slightly jiggly center to avoid overcooking.
How to Serve Quiche Lorraine
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped chives, parsley, or a pinch of freshly ground black pepper on top brightens the dish and adds a refreshing finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Quiche Lorraine with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or a light soup for a well-rounded meal that balances richness with freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in individual mini tart pans for charming appetizers or brunch bites, or make a layered quiche casserole by adding vegetables and different cheeses between layers for variety.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover quiche tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days, preserving its creamy texture and flavors.
Freezing
Quiche Lorraine freezes well. Slice into portions, wrap individually with foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag to keep it for up to 2 months without compromising taste.
Reheating
Warm leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to keep the crust crispy and filling creamy; avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pie crust for Quiche Lorraine?
Absolutely! Store-bought crust saves time and works wonderfully, especially when you blind bake it properly before adding the filling.
What cheese is best for authentic Quiche Lorraine?
Traditional recipes use Gruyère cheese for its nutty, creamy flavor that complements bacon perfectly, but Swiss cheese is a good substitute.
Is Quiche Lorraine suitable for freezing?
Yes, quiche freezes very well. Just be sure to cool it completely before wrapping and freezing in portions for easy reheat later.
How long does Quiche Lorraine keep in the fridge?
Stored correctly in an airtight container, leftover quiche lasts about 3 days without losing flavor or texture.
Can I make a vegetarian Quiche Lorraine?
Of course! Simply replace bacon with mushrooms, sautéed vegetables, or a plant-based alternative to enjoy a vegetarian-friendly quiche.
Final Thoughts
Quiche Lorraine is truly a classic that has rightfully earned its place as a beloved comfort food. Its ease of preparation, rich flavors, and versatility make it a standout dish to add to your cooking repertoire. Once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a favorite for any mealtime—so grab those ingredients and start baking your slice of delicious tradition today!
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Quiche Lorraine
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Contains Gluten, Dairy, and Pork
Description
This classic French Quiche Lorraine features a flaky pastry crust filled with a rich custard of eggs, heavy cream, smoky bacon, sautéed onions, and melted Gruyère cheese. Perfectly balanced in flavor and texture, it is a versatile dish ideal for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Easy to prepare and customizable, this recipe serves as a comforting and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 pre-made or homemade flaky pie crust (9-inch)
Filling
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch tart pan or pie dish. Use a fork to gently prick the base of the crust, then chill it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to prevent shrinking during baking.
- Cook the bacon and onions: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove any excess fat. Using the same skillet, sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent. Combine the cooked bacon and onions and set aside.
- Blind bake the crust: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the chilled crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges begin to turn golden. Remove the weights and parchment paper before adding the filling.
- Mix the custard filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir in the cooked bacon and onions, then fold in the shredded cheese. Pour this mixture evenly into the pre-baked crust.
- Bake the quiche: Place the filled quiche in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is lightly golden. Allow the quiche to cool slightly before slicing to achieve the best texture.
Notes
- Use cold ingredients: Keep eggs and cream chilled to help the custard set properly.
- Don’t overfill the crust: Leave some space to avoid spills and ensure even baking.
- Blind bake crust carefully: This prevents sogginess from the custard filling.
- Let it rest: Allow the quiche to cool at least 10 minutes before slicing to achieve clean slices.
- Experiment with baking times: Depending on your oven, check for a slightly jiggly center to avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of quiche)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg