Bacon & Cheddar Quiche: A Savory Delight for Any Meal

🔪 Preparation

Step 1: Make the Pie Crust (if making homemade)

If you’re using a store-bought pie crust, skip to the next section. If you’d like to make your own, this step is for you!

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour and ¼ teaspoon salt.

2. Cut in the Butter: Add ½ cup cold unsalted butter (cut into cubes) to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.

3. Add Ice Water: Gradually add 2 tablespoons of ice-cold water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Add more water, a teaspoon at a time, if needed. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

4. Form the Dough: Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disc, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.

5. Roll the Dough: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about ¼-inch thick. Carefully fit the dough into a 9-inch pie dish or tart pan. Trim the excess dough and fold the edges over to create a decorative crust. Chill the dough again for 10-15 minutes.

6. Blind Bake the Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the crust is golden. Let the crust cool while you prepare the filling.

Step 2: Prepare the Bacon and Veggies

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the 8 slices of bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, drain on paper towels, and crumble into small pieces.

2. Sauté the Onion (Optional): If you’re adding onion, use the bacon drippings in the skillet to sauté the 1 small chopped onion until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 3: Prepare the Quiche Filling

1. Whisk the Eggs: In a large bowl, whisk together the 6 large eggs, 1 ½ cups whole milk, and 1 cup heavy cream until well combined and smooth.

2. Add the Cheese and Bacon: Stir in 1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon. If you sautéed the onions, add them now as well.

3. Season: Add ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (if using). Mix everything together until evenly distributed.

Step 4: Assemble the Quiche

1. Fill the Pie Crust: Pour the egg mixture into the cooled pie crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling out evenly.

2. Bake the Quiche: Place the quiche on a baking sheet (to catch any potential spills) and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 35–40 minutes. The quiche is done when the filling is set and slightly golden around the edges, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

3. Cool: Let the quiche cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will help the filling set and make for easier cutting.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your Bacon & Cheddar Quiche warm or at room temperature, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and freshness. It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or fresh fruit for a complete meal.