Broccoli Cheddar Quiche is a delightful culinary creation, combining tender, vibrant broccoli florets, the bold, sharp flavor of Cheddar cheese, and a rich, creamy egg custard, all nestled within a perfectly baked store-bought crust. This recipe simplifies the art of quiche making, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal that’s incredibly easy to prepare and customize to your family’s preferences. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this quiche promises to be a comforting staple for any time of day.

The Irresistible Charm of Broccoli Cheddar Quiche: A Family Favorite

There’s something inherently comforting and deeply satisfying about a perfectly baked quiche. It’s a versatile dish that transitions effortlessly from a hearty breakfast or brunch centerpiece to a light lunch or a cozy dinner. Our Broccoli Cheddar Quiche takes inspiration from beloved classics, building on the phenomenal success of recipes like the popular Ham and Cheese Quiche from 2020. This rendition combines the timeless appeal of quiche with the universally adored pairing of tender broccoli and sharp Cheddar – a combination that also shines brightly in our favorite Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

This quiche isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience, a warm embrace in food form. In our home, it quickly became an instant hit, serving as the ultimate comfort food no matter the hour. My children, in particular, adore it as a satisfying mid-morning bite or an energizing afternoon snack, proving its widespread appeal across all ages. Its creamy texture and rich, savory flavors make it a delightful treat, offering warmth and satiety with every bite. The ease of preparation, especially when using a quality store-bought crust, ensures that this delightful meal can be a regular feature in your culinary repertoire without demanding hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy weekdays, leisurely weekend brunches, or even a simple, elegant dinner.

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

Creating a truly memorable quiche begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that coveted balance of flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each element is crucial for achieving quiche perfection:

• Pie Crust: The very foundation of your quiche! We highly recommend a 9-inch, deep-dish pie crust. A deep-dish variety is absolutely crucial as it provides ample space for all the delicious filling without overflowing during baking, ensuring a generous and satisfying slice. Opting for a store-bought, ready-to-bake crust significantly reduces prep time, making this recipe incredibly weeknight-friendly or perfect for last-minute brunch plans. For an extra flaky and tender crust, ensure it remains as cold as possible until it’s ready for baking. The chill prevents the butter from melting too quickly, resulting in those desirable flaky layers.
• Bacon: Crispy, savory bacon adds a wonderful depth of smoky flavor and a delightful textural contrast to the creamy quiche filling. It’s not just an ingredient; it’s an experience enhancer, providing savory notes that elevate the entire dish. Remember to reserve a small amount of crumbled bacon for garnish at the end, adding a professional touch and an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.
• Unsalted Butter: Used to sauté the aromatics and broccoli, butter contributes a rich, nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Using unsalted butter allows you to precisely control the overall saltiness of your dish, ensuring perfect seasoning without unwanted surprises from salted butter.
• Onion, Garlic, & Broccoli: This aromatic trio forms the flavorful heart of our quiche. Finely dicing the yellow onion ensures it softens evenly and integrates seamlessly into the custard, adding a subtle sweetness without being overwhelming. Minced garlic provides a pungent, savory kick that rounds out the flavor profile. For the broccoli, fine chopping is absolutely key. This prevents large, chunky pieces and ensures the broccoli blends harmoniously with the creamy custard, offering tender bites rather than crunchy surprises. The small pieces also cook more thoroughly and quickly.
• Parmesan and Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The cheese combination is paramount to the quiche’s signature taste. Using freshly grated cheese for both Parmesan and sharp Cheddar is highly recommended. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain cellulose or other anti-caking agents that can affect their melt and texture, sometimes leading to a greasier or less smooth finish. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly, offering superior flavor, a luxuriously creamy texture, and better integration into the custard. Sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar provides that unmistakable tangy bite that beautifully balances the richness of the eggs and cream, creating a complex and satisfying taste.
• Large Eggs and Heavy Cream: These two ingredients are the backbone of the creamy, luscious custard that defines a quiche. Large eggs provide essential structure and richness, binding the filling together, while heavy cream ensures an incredibly silky and decadent texture. Together, they create a custard that is both firm enough to hold its shape when sliced and delicate enough to melt in your mouth, providing the perfect counterpoint to the savory fillings.
• Spices (Dried Thyme, Ground Mustard, Paprika, Salt & Pepper): A thoughtful blend of spices elevates the quiche from merely good to truly exceptional. Dried thyme offers a subtle earthy note, while ground mustard adds a distinctive, tangy warmth that pairs exceptionally well with cheese, enhancing its savory qualities. Paprika contributes a mild sweetness and a hint of color that makes the quiche look as good as it tastes. Remember to adjust the salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste before baking, ensuring the seasoning perfectly suits your palate and balances all the rich flavors.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

Making this quiche is a straightforward process, designed for ease without compromising on flavor. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time, and you’ll be enjoying a homemade masterpiece in no time:

1. Prepare the Crust (Par-Bake): Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Carefully unwrap your frozen pie crust and place it on a sturdy baking sheet. Par-bake the crust for approximately 10 minutes. This crucial step, known as blind baking, helps prevent a soggy bottom by creating a partial barrier between the wet filling and the pastry, ensuring a crisp crust. Once par-baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling. Immediately reduce your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the main bake.
2. Crisp the Bacon: While the crust cools, cut your hardwood-smoked bacon into small, uniform pieces. Add these to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until they are deliciously golden brown and wonderfully crispy. Cooking the bacon until truly crisp adds incredible flavor and texture. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, allowing any excess grease to drain. This ensures your bacon stays crisp and isn’t greasy. Don’t forget to set aside about 2 tablespoons of this cooked bacon for a delightful garnish later!
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Drain most of the bacon fat from the skillet, leaving approximately 1 tablespoon (see our recipe notes below for a helpful tip on disposing of bacon grease responsibly). Add the unsalted butter to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Introduce the finely diced yellow onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, which usually takes about 2 minutes. Next, add the very finely chopped broccoli and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for another 3-5 minutes, or until the broccoli is crisp-tender. This pre-cooking ensures the vegetables are tender in the finished quiche. Finish by stirring in the minced garlic for just 30 seconds to a minute – this prevents the garlic from burning and turning bitter, while allowing its fragrance to develop. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the vegetable mixture to cool slightly.
4. Assemble the Creamy Filling: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the large eggs, heavy cream, dried thyme, ground mustard, and paprika. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and well-combined, with no streaks of egg white remaining. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (a good starting point is about 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, but adjust to your personal preference). Gently fold in the cooked bacon (remembering to keep those 2 tablespoons for garnish!), the cooled sautéed broccoli and onion mixture, the freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, and the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything until all the ingredients are evenly distributed within the creamy custard base.
5. Bake to Perfection: Carefully pour the prepared quiche filling into your par-baked pie crust, which should still be resting on the baking sheet for stability. Transfer the baking sheet to the middle or lower rack of your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven (avoid the top rack to prevent the top from over-browning while the interior cooks). Bake for 35-45 minutes. The exact time may vary based on your oven, but a good indicator of doneness is when the edges are set and firm, but the very center still has a slight, delicate wobble when gently shaken. This ensures a wonderfully creamy texture; overbaking can lead to a dry, rubbery quiche. The quiche will continue to set as it cools outside the oven.
6. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the quiche from the oven and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This crucial resting period allows the custard to fully set, making for cleaner, more intact slices. Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon pieces and fresh chopped chives over the top for a vibrant finish and an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting, homemade quiche!

Mastering Your Broccoli Cheddar Quiche: Expert Tips for Success

Achieving quiche perfection is simple with these additional tips and tricks, ensuring your Broccoli Cheddar Quiche is consistently delicious and a crowd-pleaser for any meal:

• Broccoli Preparation is Key for Texture: The texture of your broccoli makes a big difference in the final quiche. Chop the broccoli florets very small – aim for pieces no larger than peas. This ensures they cook evenly and integrate seamlessly into the custard, preventing any undesirable crunchy bits. Cooking them until slightly soft before adding them to the custard also contributes to a tender, cohesive filling that is pleasant to eat.
• Cheese Matters: Freshly Shredded for the Win!: While convenient, pre-shredded cheeses often contain cellulose or other anti-caking agents that can hinder smooth melting and sometimes result in a gritty or oily texture in your quiche. Always opt for freshly shredded Parmesan and Cheddar cheese from a block. This guarantees a superior melt, richer flavor, and a luxuriously creamy custard. For the best taste, choose a sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar; its robust, tangy flavor beautifully cuts through the richness of the eggs and cream, creating a more balanced and exciting profile.
• Smart Baking Techniques for Even Cooking: Positioning your quiche correctly in the oven can significantly impact its bake. Always bake on the middle or lower rack to ensure even heat distribution and to prevent the top from browning too quickly while the center remains undercooked. If you notice the crust edges or the top of your quiche starting to brown excessively before the filling is set, simply cover the edges with aluminum foil or use a specialized pie shield to protect them, allowing the interior to finish cooking without burning the exterior.
• Avoid Over-Baking for Creamy Custard: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for a perfect quiche. Over-baking can lead to a dry, rubbery texture, losing that signature creamy mouthfeel. Bake your quiche until the edges are firm and set, but the very center still has a slight, delicate wobble when gently shaken. It will continue to cook and firm up as it cools outside the oven due to residual heat. Trust the jiggle for that signature creamy, tender custard.
• Crustless Quiche Option for a Lighter Meal: If you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative or simply prefer a lighter option, this quiche recipe works wonderfully without a traditional crust. Liberally spray your pie plate or baking dish with non-stick spray, pour in the filling, and bake. You’ll likely need to adjust the baking time slightly, typically around 35–42 minutes, or until the center is fully set and golden. This still delivers all the fantastic flavor without the pastry.
• Customization Ideas to Suit Your Taste: Feel free to get creative and make this recipe your own! Add other sautéed vegetables like sliced mushrooms, well-drained spinach, or colorful bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor. You could also swap out bacon for diced ham, crumbled breakfast sausage, or even smoked turkey. For a different cheese profile, try Gruyère, Swiss, or a blend of your favorite mild and sharp cheeses in place of or in addition to Cheddar. Herbs like chives, parsley, or dill can also be folded into the custard for fresh aromatics.

Planning Ahead: Make-Ahead & Storage Solutions for Your Quiche

One of the many advantages of quiche is its excellent make-ahead potential, making it a fantastic option for entertaining, busy mornings, or convenient meal prepping. Here’s how to prepare and store your Broccoli Cheddar Quiche for maximum convenience and freshness, ensuring you always have a delicious meal ready:

• Prepare Filling Ahead: If you’re short on time on the day of serving, you can prepare the quiche filling up to 24 hours in advance. Simply mix all the ingredients for the custard (eggs, cream, spices, cheeses, cooked bacon, and sautéed vegetables) in a large bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, give the mixture a good stir to re-incorporate everything before pouring it into your par-baked crust and proceeding with the baking instructions. This saves significant time on the day of cooking.
• Bake Early and Reheat: For ultimate convenience, you can bake the entire broccoli cheddar quiche ahead of time. Once baked, allow it to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature. This is essential to prevent condensation, which can lead to a soggy crust. Once thoroughly cooled, wrap the quiche tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and refrigerate. To reheat, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the foil-covered quiche (or individual slices wrapped in foil) directly into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed through. Removing the foil for the last few minutes can help crisp up the crust again.

Explore More Delicious Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with the versatility and comforting qualities of this Broccoli Cheddar Quiche, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of other delightful recipes perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a light meal, designed to bring joy to your table:

• One-Pan Breakfast Potatoes and Bacon: A simple, incredibly flavorful dish featuring crispy bacon and tender breakfast potatoes with colorful bell peppers, all cooked on a single pan for minimal cleanup and maximum convenience.
• Honey and Banana Sandwich: A sweet and comforting breakfast “grilled cheese” that’s quick to make, perfect for kids and adults alike, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
• Cinnamon Banana Bread: Moist, tender, and incredibly flavorful banana bread crowned with a simple, buttery streusel topping for an extra layer of sweetness and delightful texture, perfect with a cup of coffee.
• Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls: Light, fluffy sweet rolls bursting with the bright zest of fresh lemon and the juicy sweetness of blueberries, all finished with a vibrant and tangy lemon glaze that makes them irresistible.
• Perfect Scrambled Eggs: Master the art of simple, fluffy, and delicious scrambled eggs – a breakfast staple that’s always a winner, offering a foundational skill for any home cook.

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Broccoli Cheddar Quiche: The Ultimate Comfort Food

By
Chelsea Lords

This irresistible Broccoli Cheddar Quiche features a savory blend of tender broccoli, sharp Cheddar cheese, and a rich, creamy egg custard, all baked to golden perfection in a convenient, store-bought pie crust. It’s a versatile dish, easy to customize, and ideal for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, bringing comfort and flavor to any table.

Prep Time:
35 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 15 minutes

Servings:
6 servings

Recipe Video

Equipment

• Sheet pan (15″ x 10″)
• Large skillet

Ingredients

• 1 Frozen ready-to-bake pie crust (9-inch, deep-dish crust is essential)
• 7 slices hardwood smoked bacon (reserve some crumbled bacon for topping, if desired)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion (from about 1 medium onion)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (equivalent to 1–2 cloves)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup freshly shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup very finely chopped broccoli florets
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper (to taste, we recommend starting with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper)
• Chopped chives (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Par-Bake Crust: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the unwrapped frozen pie crust on a sturdy baking sheet. Par-bake the crust for 10 minutes. This essential step helps prevent a soggy bottom. Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the filling. Immediately reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the main bake. If the crust edges have slumped, gently coax them back up with your fingers once it has cooled slightly.
2. Cook the Bacon: Meanwhile, cut the bacon into thin strips. Add the bacon pieces to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until they are golden brown and wonderfully crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the cooked bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the crispy bacon for garnishing the finished quiche.
3. Sauté Vegetables: Drain all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet. Add the unsalted butter to the skillet with the remaining bacon fat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in the very finely chopped broccoli and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for another 3–5 minutes, or until the broccoli is crisp-tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
4. Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the large eggs, heavy cream, dried thyme, ground mustard, paprika, and salt and pepper (adjust to your preference). Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth. Gently fold in the cooked bacon (excluding the reserved 2 tablespoons), the cooled broccoli and onion mixture, the freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, and the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
5. Bake the Quiche: Carefully pour the prepared filling into the par-baked pie crust (still on the baking sheet). Place the baking sheet on the middle or lower oven rack (to prevent over-browning of the top) in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. Bake for 35–45 minutes (baking time may vary; our oven takes about 38–40 minutes). The quiche is done when the edges are set and firm, but the very center still has a slight, delicate jiggle. This indicates a creamy, perfectly cooked custard. Avoid overbaking.
6. Garnish and Serve: Remove the quiche from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time helps the custard set fully, making for cleaner, more intact slices. Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon pieces and fresh chopped chives over the top for a vibrant finish and an extra layer of flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Safely Disposing of Bacon Grease: To responsibly dispose of excess bacon grease, press two pieces of aluminum foil into a heat-resistant bowl. Pour all the hot bacon grease into this foil-lined bowl. Measure out the 1 tablespoon of bacon grease you need for the skillet and return it. Allow the remaining grease in the foil-lined bowl to harden completely at room temperature. Once solid, you can either save it for future cooking endeavors or simply crumple the foil with the hardened grease inside and discard it in the trash.

Storage: For best results, allow the baked quiche to cool completely at room temperature. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 10–15 minutes, or microwave individual slices until warm.

Nutrition Information

Per Serving (approximate):

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 528 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Protein: 23g
• Fat: 46g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Cholesterol: 248mg
• Sodium: 650mg
• Potassium: 327mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
• Vitamin A: 1545 IU
• Vitamin C: 37mg
• Calcium: 468mg
• Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on ingredients used and preparation methods.

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