Effortlessly Delicious: The Ultimate Roasted Broccoli and Bacon Crustless Quiche with Gruyere & Chives
Prepare to fall in love with a dish that’s both simple to make and bursting with sophisticated flavors: our Roasted Broccoli and Bacon Crustless Quiche with Gruyere Cheese and Chives. This recipe is a true game-changer for anyone who loves the rich, savory goodness of quiche but wants to skip the hassle of a traditional pie crust. It’s an incredibly versatile dish that fits perfectly into any meal of the day, from a hearty breakfast or leisurely brunch to a light lunch or even a comforting dinner.
The inspiration for this particular quiche recipe hails from a memorable experience at a local brunch spot years ago. I still remember the divine combination of perfectly roasted broccoli, crisp, salty bacon, and a creamy egg custard. When I set out to recreate that magic in my own kitchen, I admittedly wasn’t in the mood for the fiddly process of making a pie crust. And so, an accidental culinary revelation occurred: leaving the crust out altogether proved to be one of my happiest baking experiments!
While a flaky, buttery crust undeniably adds a wonderful texture and flavor dimension to any quiche, this crustless version boasts such an abundance of flavor and satisfying texture that you truly won’t miss it. Every bite of this broccoli and bacon quiche is packed with delightful tastes—from the tender, slightly charred roasted broccoli, the salty crunch of bacon, the nutty richness of Gruyere cheese, and the silky, savory custard filling, all brightened by fresh chives. It’s a complete meal that caters to diverse palates and occasions.
This recipe isn’t just about convenience; it’s about maximizing flavor and enjoyment. The roasting process for the broccoli and bacon brings out their best, intensifying their natural sweetness and savory notes before they even hit the quiche pan. When combined with the creamy egg mixture and the melt-in-your-mouth Gruyere, you get a symphony of textures and tastes that will impress both you and your guests. Plus, being crustless means it’s naturally lower in carbohydrates and can easily fit into gluten-free or keto-friendly diets, making it a healthy choice without compromising on taste.
Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Crustless Quiche
Crafting this flavorful quiche requires a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli is key here. Roasting it beforehand caramelizes its edges, adding a depth of flavor that steamed or boiled broccoli simply can’t match.
- Bacon: Choose a good quality bacon. Its salty, smoky notes are essential to balancing the dish and providing a delightful textural contrast.
- Gruyere Cheese: This Swiss cheese brings a wonderful nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor that melts beautifully. If you can’t find Gruyere, a good quality Swiss cheese or even a sharp cheddar will work well as a substitute.
- Fresh Chives: These delicate herbs add a subtle oniony zest and a pop of fresh green color, enhancing the overall aroma and taste.
- Eggs: The foundation of any great quiche! Large, fresh eggs create that perfect creamy custard.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk provides the richness needed for a luxurious quiche texture. For a lighter quiche, you could use a lower-fat milk, but for optimal creaminess, whole milk is recommended.
- Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out the best in your ingredients.
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors of this crustless quiche, ensuring a satisfying and memorable eating experience.
How to Master This Broccoli Bacon Crustless Quiche
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its straightforward preparation. By opting for a crustless approach, we eliminate the most time-consuming step of traditional quiche making, allowing you to get a delicious meal on the table with minimal fuss. Here’s a detailed look at the simple steps to create this roasted broccoli bacon crustless quiche:
- Prepare and Cook Broccoli and Bacon: This is where the magic of roasting comes in. I highly recommend cooking both the bacon and broccoli in the oven simultaneously. For the bacon, line a sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup, lay out your bacon strips, and roast until wonderfully crispy. For the broccoli, toss the florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them on a separate sheet pan. Roast until they are fork-tender with appealingly browned, slightly crispy edges. Cooking them together saves time and utilizes the oven’s heat efficiently. If you prefer, you can cook the bacon on the stove to your desired crispness.
- Layer Your Flavorful Filling: Once your broccoli is roasted and your bacon is cooked and roughly chopped, it’s time to assemble. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish or a similar round baking dish. Evenly distribute the roasted broccoli, chopped cooked bacon, and shredded Gruyere cheese across the bottom of the dish. Make sure the ingredients are well-distributed so every slice gets a good mix of flavors.
- Craft the Egg Custard: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the large eggs, whole milk, finely chopped fresh chives, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until thoroughly combined and slightly frothy. This creates the rich, creamy custard that binds all the delicious fillings together. Carefully pour this egg mixture over the layered ingredients in your baking dish. Gently press down on the bacon and broccoli with the back of a spoon to ensure they are at least partially submerged in the egg mixture and evenly spaced. This helps the quiche set properly and ensures a consistent texture.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place your quiche in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are lightly puffed and golden brown, and the center of the filling has only a slight, barely perceptible wobble when gently shaken. If you insert a knife into the center, it should come out clean. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to a dry quiche.
Allow the quiche to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the custard to fully set, resulting in clean, beautiful slices. Get ready to enjoy a spectacularly flavorful and surprisingly easy meal!
Expert Tips for Quiche Perfection
To ensure your crustless quiche turns out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:
- Don’t Overbake: This is crucial for a creamy, tender quiche. The quiche is done when the edges are set and lightly golden brown, and the very center still has a slight, delicate wobble. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean. Overbaking will result in a dry, rubbery texture.
- Serving Temperature Versatility: One of the best qualities of quiche is its flexibility. It can be served warm, cold, or at room temperature. My personal preference is room temperature, as it allows the flavors to truly meld and shine. If serving hot from the oven, let it cool for at least 15 minutes first; this allows the custard to set properly for easier slicing and a better texture.
- Storage and Make-Ahead Brilliance: This quiche is an excellent make-ahead option! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for several days, making it perfect for quick breakfasts, lunches, or even easy dinners throughout the week. You can gently reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven.
- Customize to Your Heart’s Content: Quiches are incredibly adaptable! Feel free to experiment with the filling ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
- Vegetables: Try sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, asparagus, or chopped kale.
- Proteins: Instead of bacon, consider diced ham, cooked sausage, smoked salmon, or even leftover shredded chicken. You can also omit meat for a vegetarian option.
- Cheeses: While Gruyere is fantastic, other cheeses like sharp cheddar, feta, goat cheese, or a Monterey Jack blend would also be delicious.
- Herbs: Experiment with different fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, dill, or a touch of rosemary for varying flavor profiles.
- Greasing the Pan: Ensure your pie dish is thoroughly greased with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking, especially since there’s no crust to protect the edges. Lining with parchment paper is also a great option.
With these tips, you’ll be making flawless crustless quiches in no time, ready to enjoy for any meal or occasion.
More Irresistible Breakfast and Brunch Bakes to Explore
If you’re a fan of savory breakfast dishes and easy make-ahead options, you’ll love these other recipes that are perfect for starting your day right or impressing at your next brunch gathering:
- Hearty Ham and Hashbrown Frittata
- Savory Roasted Brussels Sprouts Quiche
- Quick & Easy Spinach and Tomato Baked Egg Cups
- Elegant Asparagus, Bacon and Cream Cheese Quiche
Shop Essential Tools for This Recipe
Having the right kitchen tools can make all the difference in preparing your meals smoothly. Here are some recommended items to help you create this delicious quiche:
Note: This recipe was originally published May 2016 and has been updated for clarity and improved SEO.
Roasted Broccoli and Bacon Crustless Quiche
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Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon
- 4 cups broccoli florets (625 grams, about 1 large heads)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 oz Gruyere or Swiss cheese , shredded (226 grams)
- 5 large eggs
- ¾ cup whole milk (180 ml)
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Line a sheet pan with foil and place strips of bacon on top. Cook bacon in oven until browned and crispy, about 15 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Roughly chop.
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Toss broccoli florets with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Spread out on a second sheet pan and roast in the oven until fork tender and brown on the edges, about 20 minutes, stirring once. (Broccoli and bacon can be cooked in the oven at the same time or separately.)
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Grease an 8 or 9-inch pie dish or round baking dish with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper. Add the roasted broccoli, chopped bacon, and shredded cheese.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and chives. Pour over the broccoli mixture and gently press down with the back of a spoon so that it’s all in an even layer.
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Bake for 40-45 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and edges are golden brown. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Can be served both warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in the fridge.