Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes | Serves: 6-8 people | Calories: 290 per slice
This creamy ricotta spinach quiche is the perfect combination of fluffy eggs, rich cheeses, and nutritious spinach baked in a golden pastry crust. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a light dinner, this versatile dish can be served hot or at room temperature and makes excellent leftovers.
Why This Ricotta Spinach Quiche is Special
- Restaurant-quality results at home
- Protein-packed with eggs and three types of cheese
- Vegetarian-friendly and nutritious
- Make-ahead friendly – perfect for meal prep
- Budget-friendly using simple, affordable ingredients
- Crowd-pleaser – great for entertaining
- Freezer-friendly for busy weeknight dinners
Complete Ingredient List
For the Quiche Base:
- 1 pre-made 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped OR 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and well-drained)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
Cheese and Egg Mixture:
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese (whole milk ricotta works best)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup whole milk (2% milk also works)
- ½ teaspoon salt (fine sea salt or table salt)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
Optional Garnish:
- 4-5 cherry tomatoes (halved or sliced)
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme for serving
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Kitchen
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Position rack in center of oven for even cooking
- Prepare pie dish by placing the pie crust inside and pressing gently to fit
- Trim excess crust and crimp edges if desired
Step 2: Prepare the Spinach
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant
- Add spinach to the skillet
- Cook fresh spinach for 2-3 minutes until wilted, OR
- Heat frozen spinach for 1-2 minutes until warmed through
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes
- Important: If using frozen spinach, squeeze out excess water with paper towels
Step 3: Make the Egg Mixture
- Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl
- Add milk to the eggs
- Season with salt and black pepper
- Whisk thoroughly until mixture is smooth and well combined
- No lumps should remain – this ensures a smooth quiche
Step 4: Combine All Ingredients
- Add ricotta cheese to the egg mixture and stir until smooth
- Fold in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses
- Add cooled spinach mixture and stir gently
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed
- Mix until evenly distributed but don’t overmix
Step 5: Assemble the Quiche
- Pour mixture into the prepared pie crust
- Spread evenly using a spoon or spatula
- Arrange tomato slices on top if using (optional but adds beautiful color)
- Gently tap dish on counter to release air bubbles
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
- Place in preheated oven on center rack
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until center is set
- Check doneness: Insert a knife in center – it should come out mostly clean
- Top should be lightly golden brown and slightly puffed
- Don’t overbake – quiche will continue cooking as it cools
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Remove from oven and place on cooling rack
- Cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing (this prevents it from falling apart)
- Cut into wedges using a sharp knife
- Serve warm or at room temperature
Expert Tips for Perfect Quiche
For Best Results:
- Use room temperature eggs – they mix more easily and create smoother texture
- Don’t skip cooling time – hot quiche will be too soft to slice cleanly
- Pre-bake crust for 5 minutes if you prefer extra-crispy bottom
- Cover edges with foil if they brown too quickly
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Fresh vs. Frozen Spinach: Fresh gives better texture, but frozen works well when properly drained
- Milk Alternatives: Heavy cream makes richer quiche, half-and-half is a good middle ground
- Cheese Options: Substitute mozzarella with Swiss, Gruyere, or cheddar
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Advance Preparation:
- Assemble completely up to 24 hours ahead
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate
- Bake directly from refrigerator, adding 5-10 extra minutes
Storage Guidelines:
- Refrigerator: Store covered up to 4 days
- Freezer: Wrap well and freeze up to 3 months
- Reheating: Warm individual slices in microwave for 1-2 minutes OR reheat whole quiche at 300°F for 15-20 minutes
Recipe Variations
Add Extra Vegetables:
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Roasted red peppers
- Caramelized onions
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Artichoke hearts
Meat Additions:
- Cooked bacon or ham
- Italian sausage (cooked and crumbled)
- Prosciutto
Different Cheese Combinations:
- Goat cheese and herbs
- Feta and Mediterranean vegetables
- Cheddar and broccoli
Nutritional Benefits
Health Highlights:
- High in protein from eggs and cheese
- Rich in calcium for bone health
- Good source of iron from spinach
- Contains vitamin A for eye health
- Provides folate important for cell function
Per Serving (1/8 of quiche):
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Calcium: 25% daily value
Serving Suggestions
Perfect Pairings:
- Fresh mixed greens with vinaigrette
- Roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts
- Fresh fruit salad for brunch
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls
- Light soup like tomato or butternut squash
Occasions Perfect For This Quiche:
- Weekend brunch with family
- Potluck dinners
- Holiday breakfast
- Light summer dinner
- Meal prep for busy weeks
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Q: Why is my quiche watery? A: Make sure frozen spinach is thoroughly drained. Squeeze out excess moisture with paper towels.
Q: How do I know when it’s fully cooked? A: The center should be set but still slightly jiggly. A knife inserted in center should come out mostly clean.
Q: Can I make this without a pie crust? A: Yes! Use a greased pie dish for a crustless version. Reduce baking time by 5-10 minutes.
Q: Why did my quiche sink in the middle? A: This usually happens from overbaking or opening the oven door too frequently during baking.
This ricotta spinach quiche recipe delivers bakery-quality results with simple techniques. The combination of creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan creates the perfect cheese blend, while fresh spinach adds color and nutrition. Whether you’re hosting brunch or need an easy weeknight dinner, this versatile dish is sure to become a family favorite.