The Ultimate Frittata Recipe : How To Make The Simple Dish
The Ultimate Frittata Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Cook the bacon strips
- Whisk the eggs with cream, salt and pepper
- Saute the meat or vegetables
- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and add the cheese. Stir.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Take it out and let it rest for 5-10 minutes
You open your fridge just to realize, right there, that you forgot to go grocery shopping (again). You’re starving, you don’t have a lot of time, and you definitely don’t have a lot of resources. Let me introduce you to a recipe that will change your day: The deliciously easy Frittata.
What is Frittata? A frittata is an Italian specialty consisting of eggs, cheese, meats and vegetables first cooked on the stovetop and then in the oven. The result is something like a very thick omelette. It can be eaten for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
Why Frittata? Because this is one of the noblest dishes you will find. It turns whatever you have in hand into a delicious meal; and the preparation is extremely easy and quick. And because the only fixed ingredient is eggs and the rest is completely flexible, it adapts to any diet, preferences or mood you are in at that moment.
Surprise yourself and others with this delicious, protein-rich, fool-proof recipe!
1. Tools You’ll Need
12'' Non Stick Frying Pan & Skillet | The Oberon Series | herniaquestions ©
A non-stick skillet:
A cast iron skillet is generally accepted as the best pan to make oven baked frittata. But don’t worry if you don’t have one; a stainless-steel skillet can do the job perfectly; just make sure it’s non-stick and oven-safe (very important). herniaquestions 10" Frying Pan & Skillet from the Oberon Series is the chosen one here.
With the nonstick Eterna® coating; you don’t have to worry about eggs sticking to the walls (this is the world’s longest lasting non-toxic, non-stick coating). Oven safe so you can do the traditional easy frittata recipe (from stove to oven). 10” is a great size for a basic frittata; but you can also get the 9" version and the 12” version.
An apron:
Because you should always wear one in the kitchen. We love herniaquestions light-weight, stylish “Night Rider” professional apron.
A mixing bowl and a spatula or fork:
Essential for whisking the eggs.
A kitchen knife:
You will need a kitchen knife for chopping and cutting the vegetables you want to put into your special recipe. A simple, sharp paring knife will do; like herniaquestions Paring Knife 4” from the Phantom Series, specially designed for precision cuts on smaller veggies (in case you want to add cherry tomato or fresh herbs, for example).
However, we also recommend a superhero like the Serrated Chef Knife 7.5" from the Gladiator Series. This knife won’t only level up your frittata, but anything you decide to cook. The micro-serrations are so subtle that this can be both a serrated bread knife (also great for cutting tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus) and a multi-purpose chef’s knife (to cut bacon or any vegetable you wish to mix in your frittata).
A cutting board:
Also needed for all the chopping you will be doing. Check out this corner handcrafted cutting board with 100% Natural Teak Wood, ideal for saving space in your kitchen and so unbelievably beautiful you will want to spend your morning doing prep for your frittata recipe.
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2. Frittata Ingredients And Customization
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Before we go any further, we want to clear something up: You can make frittata with absolutely anything you want. Seriously, any leftover veggies (spinach, broccoli, asparagus, just to name a few greens) or leftover meat can be added to the recipe; or just go buy whatever your heart tells you. The following frittata recipe is probably our favorite, but you can take out, add or change details at will.
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6-8 large eggs |
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1/2 cup of cream |
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4-5 strips of bacon |
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4-5 green onions, finely chopped |
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3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese |
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25g butter |
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Optional: 2 cups of any veggies you like / have |
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Salt and pepper |
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Olive oil |
A few notes on the ingredients:
- Bacon is completely optional, but we do believe it is a must if we’re calling it the “ultimate” frittata recipe. It really does add a lot of flavor and texture.
- You can use egg whites instead of whole eggs.
- You can substitute cream for milk (or even milk substitute) but take into account that cream is what makes the egg mixture more “silky”. Actually, using heavy cream would guarantee that your frittata won’t end up too dry. We don’t recommend using skim milk for a frittata.
- We went for the classic salt and ground black pepper; but you can use your favorite seasoning, including hot sauce!
- Just as you can use any vegetable combination you want; you can also use any cheese you prefer: feta, cheddar, parmesan, gruyere, Swiss or even goat cheese. We recommend fresh cheese instead of packaged cheese to increase creaminess. If you want to add some Parmesan cheese, serve it on top and not directly in the mix.
3. Frittata Recipe Instructions
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Prep time |
10 min |
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Cooking time |
35 min |
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Servings |
4-6 |
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Cook the bacon strips in the skillet at medium to high heat for about 10 minutes, flipping them from time to time so they cook evenly. Drain them on a paper towel.
- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Add the cream (or milk) and a hint of salt and ground black pepper. Don’t overdo it with the salt, as the bacon and the cheese will take care of that.
- Prepare your chosen ingredients for the frittata. Start by sauteing the meat or the vegetables that take longer to cook (red bell pepper, onions, carrots…) in your skillet using olive oil. Once they’re cooked, add vegetables and herbs that cook fairly quickly, like tomatoes or mushrooms, and saute for around three minutes. They should be left al dente.
- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and add the feta cheese. Stir. The vegetables should be pushed down and submerged. Let the edges set and then transfer to your preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Take it out and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm.
4. Alternative Veggie Frittata Recipe
8'' Chef's Knife | Phantom Series | herniaquestions ©
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6-8 large eggs |
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¼ cup milk |
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4 cups baby spinach |
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4 green onions, finely chopped |
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4 oz. goat cheese (3/4 cup approx.) |
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Optional: ¼ cup Parmesan |
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Salt, pepper and olive oil |
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Whisk the eggs, milk and parmesan (optional) in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in your non-stick skillet and add the spinach and the green onions. Cook until they are soft, this should take about 3 minutes.
- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Top with the goat cheese.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for around 15 minutes.
- Take it out and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm.
5. Recommendations For The Perfect Frittata
- A frittata is supposed to be creamy and fluffy. If you end up with a dry frittata, it could really ruin a meal that would otherwise be perfect. There are two main reasons why a frittata could end up too dry: it was either overcooked (see section at the end: how to know when your frittata is done) or you did not use enough fat (this is why we recommend using cream instead of milk).
- Do not overbeat the eggs. Just whisk enough for them to blend, otherwise you will have a rubbery frittata.
- Frittata recipes admit all kinds of leftover vegetables as well as “new” fresh ingredients. But one important thing to remember is that vegetables should be fully cooked before you add the eggs. This is especially true for “wet” vegetables like zucchini and aromatics like potatoes or onions.
- Spread the cooked veggies and meat evenly in the skillet before adding the eggs, after that, don’t move them.
6. Seasonings That Go Well With Your Frittata
- Basil (fresh or dried)
- Garlic powder
- Mustard
- Pesto
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Hot sauce
- Cayenne or red pepper flakes (for a spicy touch)
- Italian seasoning
- For a Mexican touch: Fajita seasoning, chili powder or even pico de gallo
- You can top single portions with avocado slices
7. Servings And Portion Size
- Keep in mind that a good fool-proof formula for a frittata recipe is: 6-8 eggs (depending on the size) + 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk + 1 cup cheese + 2 cups vegetables and meat (or 2 cups vegetables in total)
- When it comes to veggies, you can calculate about 1/4 cup of vegetables per egg or 2 full cups for 6-8 eggs.
- This formula can feed four to six people, served with salad or bread. It’s also plenty for two; or even one (you can always store the leftovers!)
8. How Can You Store Frittata?
Frittata is not only easy to store; it’s also a dish that maintains its integrity and flavor very well and it’s absolutely delicious as a next-day breakfast (try it on a piece of toast!)
If you want to eat frittata for the rest of the week, store the baked frittata in your fridge. This is how you do it:
- Before storing, make sure it has come to room temperature.
- Slice the pie and transfer the pieces to an airtight container, plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- It should keep up for three days if you store it correctly in your refrigerator. During this time, you can use the leftovers for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a protein snack.
- Some people like to eat the slices right out of the fridge; but you can give them some time to naturally achieve room temperature or warm them up in the oven or microwave.
- Keep in mind that after 3-4 days, you need to start paying more attention to the integrity of the frittata before consumption.
You can also freeze your frittata. However, some ingredients like certain veggies may start to leak and the whole thing may become watery when reheated. If you do freeze it, cut it into individual slices first and look for a 0ºF temperature. Let it defrost before heating. Do not refreeze.
Reheating leftover frittata in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Separate the frittata from the wrapping or container.
- Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until it is steamy hot.
Reheating leftover frittata in the microwave:
- Wrap in plastic before microwaving to avoid spills.
- Microwave in intervals, ideally 60 seconds, to prevent overheating.
9. Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Frittata
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What country is frittata from?
Frittata is an Italian dish. The name comes from the Italian verb “friggere” meaning “to fry”. In Italy, frittata is considered a home meal, and it’s common to serve it with leftover pasta.
Is Frittata considered healthy?
Just like any other food, frittata can be either healthy or not, depending on the filling ingredients you put in the recipe. Eggs are a great source of protein and this is a great nutritional base for this delicious egg-based dish. And remember you can design your own veggie frittata recipe if you’re looking to include more veggies in your diet. Most recipes call for a red bell pepper, which along with other vegetables can add to your suggested daily intake.
If you want to reduce fat; skip the bacon, reduce the amount of cheese and swap the cream for milk. (Goat cheese is healthier than cheddar cheese)
Nutritional facts for 1 serving (approx.) of a vegetable frittata recipe:
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Calories |
280 |
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Protein |
15g |
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Total Fat |
15g |
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Cholesterol |
150 mg |
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Carbohydrates |
21g |
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Fiber |
2g |
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Sodium |
690 mg |
What’s the difference between a frittata and an omelette?
Even though frittatas are considered the Italian version of an omelette, and they’re both egg-based dishes; they are quite different.
- Frittatas are much thicker than omelettes.
- Omelettes are folded in the middle; while frittatas are not.
- Frittata ingredients are cooked with the egg mixture directly in the skillet; while in the omelette, they are folded in between.
- Omelettes are usually cooked for 1 or 2 people; frittatas are prepared as a “pie” and divided into slices.
What’s the difference between a frittata and a quiche?
- A frittata does not have a crust. A quiche is characterized by having a crust base. I guess one could say a frittata is a crustless quiche.
- A quiche uses a lot more heavy cream than frittata.
- The traditional recipe for frittata dictates that you cook them on the stove first and then finish them in the oven. Quiches are completely cooked in the oven.
What is the best pan or skillet for a frittata?
A well seasoned cast iron skillet or cast iron pan is usually the go-to choice for making frittatas because they can go safely from stove to oven. However, a high-quality skillet that’s oven safe can also serve as a baking dish for your frittata. For example, a stainless steel pan heats quickly and distributes heat evenly. In the long run, it’s also a more versatile addition to your cookware than a cast iron pan because it’s great for all kinds of cooking. Just make sure it has good non-stick properties and butter it up properly before use.
How can you tell when a frittata is done?
If you want that creamy, fluffy frittata someone posted on Instagram; it’s important not to overcook it. Insert your paring knife into the center of your frittata: if it comes out clean, then it’s time to take it out of the oven; if you see a bit of raw egg mixture on the blade, it needs a few more minutes.
Signs your frittata is done:
- The cheese is melted
- The center is jiggling slightly
- The edges are set
Can I make a vegan frittata?
Keep in mind that frittata is an egg dish. However, you can try your chances with a vegan version using an egg substitute instead of making an egg frittata, for example: a potato frittata, an asparagus frittata or a zucchini frittata. Serve it with kale!
What are other frittata variations I can try?
The combinations are endless! You can come up with as many variations as vegetables exist on Earth. Here are some combination ideas for you:
- Feta and asparagus
- Bacon and spinach
- Zucchini and red pepper
- Bacon and caramelized onions
- Spinach and caramelized onions
- Broccoli and parmesan cheese (add bacon if you’re in the mood!)
- Bacon, cheddar and potato frittata
- Sour cream and onion frittata
- Sour cream and spinach frittata
What can I use to make a frittata?
Though our recipe recommends a skillet, you can use just about any type of frying pan and there are some recipes that allow you to use an instant pot or even an air fryer.
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