Bacon Cheddar Quiche: A Deliciously Easy Recipe
Quiche is a classic dish, perfect for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner. It’s versatile, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make. This Bacon Cheddar Quiche recipe combines the smoky flavor of bacon with the sharp tang of cheddar cheese, creating a savory and satisfying dish that everyone will love. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this foolproof recipe!
## Why This Bacon Cheddar Quiche Recipe Works
* **Flavor Combination:** Bacon and cheddar are a match made in heaven. The salty, smoky bacon complements the rich, sharp cheddar perfectly.
* **Easy to Customize:** This recipe is a great base for experimenting with other ingredients. Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or onions for a more complex flavor profile.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prepare the quiche filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. You can even bake the quiche ahead of time and reheat it when needed.
* **Versatile:** Quiche is a fantastic dish for any occasion, from casual brunches to elegant dinner parties.
* **Comfort Food:** There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm, cheesy quiche.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, gather these ingredients:
**For the Crust:**
* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ¼ cup ice water
**For the Filling:**
* 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* 4 large eggs
* 1 cup heavy cream
* ½ cup milk
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
* Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
## Equipment You’ll Need
* 9-inch pie dish
* Mixing bowls
* Whisk
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Rolling pin
* Plastic wrap
* Baking sheet
* Fork
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s break down the process of making this delicious Bacon Cheddar Quiche into easy-to-follow steps:
### Part 1: Making the Crust
The crust is the foundation of any good quiche. Follow these steps to create a flaky and delicious crust:
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. **Add Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter pieces should be about the size of peas.
3. **Add Ice Water:** Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust.
4. **Form a Disc:** Gently form the dough into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a flakier crust.
5. **Roll Out the Dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Make sure the dough is thin enough to fit into your pie dish without being too thick.
6. **Transfer to Pie Dish:** Carefully transfer the dough to the pie dish. Gently press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edge.
7. **Crimp the Edges:** Crimp the edges of the crust using your fingers or a fork to create a decorative border. This also helps to prevent the crust from shrinking during baking.
8. **Pre-Bake the Crust (Blind Baking):** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. This will prevent the crust from puffing up during baking.
9. **Bake for 15 Minutes:** Bake the crust for 15 minutes. Then, remove the parchment paper and pie weights and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown. This is called blind baking.
10. **Cool Slightly:** Let the crust cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
### Part 2: Preparing the Filling
The filling is where the magic happens. Here’s how to make a flavorful and creamy filling for your Bacon Cheddar Quiche:
1. **Cook the Bacon:** If you haven’t already, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towels and then crumble it into small pieces.
2. **Grate the Cheese:** Grate the cheddar cheese. You can use pre-shredded cheese, but freshly grated cheese will melt more smoothly and have a better flavor.
3. **Whisk the Eggs:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using).
4. **Add Bacon and Cheese:** Stir in the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. Make sure the bacon and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the egg mixture.
### Part 3: Assembling and Baking the Quiche
Now it’s time to put everything together and bake your delicious quiche:
1. **Pour Filling into Crust:** Carefully pour the egg mixture into the pre-baked crust. Make sure the filling is evenly distributed.
2. **Bake the Quiche:** Bake the quiche in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. The center of the quiche should be just slightly jiggly.
3. **Let Cool Slightly:** Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set completely.
## Tips for the Perfect Bacon Cheddar Quiche
* **Use Cold Butter:** When making the crust, use cold butter. Cold butter will create steam as it bakes, resulting in a flaky crust.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix just until the dough comes together.
* **Blind Bake the Crust:** Blind baking the crust will prevent it from becoming soggy when you add the filling.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Use high-quality bacon and cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
* **Don’t Overbake the Quiche:** Overbaking the quiche will result in a dry and rubbery filling. The center of the quiche should be just slightly jiggly when it’s done.
* **Let the Quiche Cool:** Letting the quiche cool slightly before slicing will allow the filling to set completely, making it easier to cut and serve.
## Variations and Substitutions
This Bacon Cheddar Quiche recipe is a great base for experimenting with other ingredients. Here are a few variations and substitutions you can try:
* **Vegetarian Quiche:** Omit the bacon and add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers. Sauté the vegetables before adding them to the filling.
* **Different Cheese:** Try using a different type of cheese, such as Gruyere, Swiss, or Monterey Jack.
* **Add Herbs:** Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives to the filling for added flavor.
* **Spicy Quiche:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
* **Crustless Quiche:** Omit the crust altogether for a gluten-free option. Simply grease the pie dish and pour the filling directly into the dish.
## Serving Suggestions
Bacon Cheddar Quiche is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to make it even better:
* **Salad:** Serve with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.
* **Fruit Salad:** Serve with a fresh fruit salad for a light and refreshing meal.
* **Soup:** Serve with a bowl of soup, such as tomato soup or cream of mushroom soup.
* **Brunch Buffet:** Include quiche as part of a brunch buffet with other breakfast items like pancakes, waffles, and fruit.
## Make-Ahead Instructions
Quiche is a great make-ahead dish. You can prepare the filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply pour the filling into the pre-baked crust and bake as directed. You can also bake the entire quiche ahead of time and reheat it when needed. To reheat, cover the quiche with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
## Storage Instructions
Store leftover quiche in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze quiche for up to 2 months. To freeze, wrap the quiche tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw the quiche in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
## Bacon Cheddar Quiche Recipe
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep Time:** 30 minutes
**Cook Time:** 45-50 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**For the Crust:**
* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ¼ cup ice water
**For the Filling:**
* 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* 4 large eggs
* 1 cup heavy cream
* ½ cup milk
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
* Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Make the Crust:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold butter and cut it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. **Roll Out the Dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie dish. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges.
3. **Pre-Bake the Crust:** Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the parchment paper and pie weights and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let cool slightly.
4. **Prepare the Filling:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Stir in the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
5. **Assemble and Bake:** Pour the egg mixture into the pre-baked crust. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your delicious Bacon Cheddar Quiche!
This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With its rich, savory flavors and easy preparation, it’s the perfect dish for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and get ready to indulge in a slice of pure comfort food!