Classic Quiche Lorraine Recipe is a French dish that brings comfort to any meal. This savory pie combines eggs, cream, crispy bacon, and cheese in a flaky crust. The recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner. Making quiche at home might seem fancy, but it’s actually quite simple. With just a few basic ingredients and easy steps, anyone can create this delicious dish.
The golden, custardy filling paired with smoky bacon creates amazing flavors. Whether you’re hosting guests or feeding your family, this classic quiche Lorraine recipe will impress everyone at the table.
What is Quiche?
Quiche is a savory pie that comes from France. It has a pastry crust filled with a creamy egg mixture. The base always includes eggs and cream or milk, which creates a smooth, custardy texture when baked. People add different ingredients like cheese, vegetables, meat, or seafood to make various flavors.
What is the Difference Between Quiche and Quiche Lorraine?
Quiche is the general name for this type of savory pie. Quiche Lorraine is a specific version that originated in the Lorraine region of France. Traditional quiche Lorraine contains only bacon, eggs, and cream in its filling. Modern versions often add cheese, usually Gruyere or Swiss, though purists say this isn’t authentic.
Other types of quiche can have spinach, mushrooms, ham, tomatoes, or any combination of ingredients. Quiche Lorraine stands out because of its simplicity and focus on bacon flavor. While regular quiche can be vegetarian or have seafood, quiche Lorraine always features bacon as the star ingredient.
What is Quiche Lorraine?
Quiche Lorraine is the most famous type of quiche. It started in the Lorraine region of northeastern France hundreds of years ago. The original recipe was very simple, using just eggs, cream, and bacon baked in a pastry crust.
French cooks made this dish to use ingredients they had available on their farms. Over time, people added cheese to make it richer and more flavorful.
Classic Quiche Lorraine Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 6 strips bacon
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble it. Spread bacon and cheese in the pie crust. Whisk eggs, cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg together. Pour egg mixture over bacon and cheese. Bake 40-45 minutes until center is just set. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your delicious homemade quiche Lorraine with your favorite sides.
How to Make the Quiche Lorraine Filling
The filling is what makes quiche lorraine special and delicious .First, start with your cooked, crumbled bacon spread across the crust bottom. Next, add your shredded cheese on top of the bacon. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, crack your eggs and beat them well with a whisk. Then, pour in the heavy cream and continue whisking until everything combines smoothly. After that, season with salt, pepper, and just a tiny bit of nutmeg.
Interestingly, the nutmeg adds a subtle warmth without being noticeable. Alternatively, some recipes use milk instead of cream for a lighter filling. However, cream creates the richest, most luxurious texture. Finally, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for the smoothest mixture.
What Can I Serve With Quiche Lorraine?
Quiche Lorraine pairs beautifully with many side dishes. A simple green salad with vinaigrette balances the richness perfectly. Fresh fruit like melon, berries, or grapes adds sweetness and freshness. For brunch, serve quiche with roasted potatoes or hash browns. Steamed asparagus or green beans make elegant vegetable sides. Tomato soup creates a comforting combination for lunch. Crusty French bread or croissants complement the French theme.
For breakfast, add fresh orange juice and coffee. Light sides work best because quiche is quite filling on its own. The goal is to create a balanced meal that doesn’t feel too heavy.
Can I Freeze Quiche Lorraine?
Yes, you can freeze Quiche Lorraine! To do so, cool the quiche completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and finally place in a freezer-safe bag. Meanwhile, frozen quiche can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and subsequently bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes.
Can I Use a Store-Bought Pie Crust?
Absolutely! Store-bought pie crust works perfectly fine for quiche. Many busy cooks use premade crusts to save time and effort. You can find refrigerated pie dough in the dairy section or frozen pie shells. Both options produce good results and nobody will know the difference. Refrigerated dough gives you more control since you roll it out yourself. Frozen shells are even more convenient because they’re already shaped.
Just remember to thaw frozen crusts slightly before using them. Store-bought crusts help you get quiche on the table faster. This makes the recipe more approachable for weeknight dinners or last-minute brunches.
Is Quiche Crust the Same as Pie Crust?
Yes, quiche crust is basically the same as pie crust. Both use flour, butter, salt, and cold water to create a flaky pastry. The main difference is that quiche crust is savory, not sweet. Some bakers add a pinch of sugar to pie crust for desserts.
For quiche, you skip the sugar or use very little. The technique for making both crusts is identical. You cut cold butter into flour, add ice water, and roll it out. Some people use shortening instead of butter, but butter gives better flavor. Whether you call it quiche crust or pie crust, the result is a golden, buttery shell that holds the filling perfectly.
The Best Quiche Recipe
This classic quiche Lorraine recipe delivers perfect results every time. The crust turns out flaky and golden while the filling becomes smooth and custardy. You’ll need basic ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. The combination of crispy bacon, melted cheese, and rich eggs creates wonderful flavors.
This recipe serves six to eight people, making it ideal for family meals or gatherings. The preparation takes about 15 minutes, and baking takes around 45 minutes. Even beginners can make this quiche successfully by following the simple steps. The end result looks impressive and tastes absolutely delicious.
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- If you’re making your own crust, prepare it first and let it chill
- Roll out the dough and press it into a 9-inch pie pan
- Trim the edges and poke the bottom with a fork several times
- This prevents bubbles from forming during baking
- Next, cook six strips of bacon until they’re nice and crispy
- Let the bacon cool, then crumble it into small pieces
- Grate about one cup of Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- Spread the bacon and cheese evenly across the bottom of your crust
- Now you’re ready to make the egg mixture and finish your quiche
Notes
Let your quiche cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the filling set completely. The quiche will continue cooking slightly from residual heat. If your crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil strips. You can blind-bake your crust for 10 minutes before adding filling for extra crispiness.
This means baking the empty crust with pie weights or dried beans. Some people like adding onions or fresh herbs like thyme for extra flavor. Remember that quiche tastes good warm or at room temperature. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Nutrition
One slice of classic quiche Lorraine contains approximately 350 to 400 calories. The dish is rich in protein from the eggs and bacon. Each serving provides about 15 grams of protein, which helps keep you full. The cream and cheese contribute healthy fats, with about 25 to 30 grams per slice. Quiche also contains calcium from the dairy products and important vitamins from the eggs.
What Other Fillings Can be Added to Quiche?
Quiche is incredibly versatile and welcomes many different fillings. Popular vegetable options include:
- Spinach and mushrooms for an earthy flavor
- Tomatoes and basil for a fresh taste
- Broccoli and cheddar for a classic combination
- Caramelized onions for sweetness
- Bell peppers for color and crunch
For meat lovers, try experimenting with ham, sausage, or even ground beef. Alternatively, seafood options like smoked salmon or crab meat work wonderfully too. In addition, different cheeses change the flavor completely. For instance, try feta, goat cheese, cheddar, or mozzarella. Furthermore, you can mix multiple ingredients or keep it simple with just one or two. Meanwhile, fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill add brightness.
Can Quiche be Made Ahead?
Yes, quiche is perfect for making ahead of time. You can prepare it the night before and refrigerate it unbaked. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and bake it the next day. Add five to ten extra minutes to the baking time since it starts cold. You can also bake the quiche completely, let it cool, and refrigerate it. Reheat slices in the microwave for one minute or warm the whole quiche in a 300-degree oven.
The crust stays crispy better if you reheat in the oven. Making quiche ahead reduces stress when entertaining guests. It also makes busy weekday mornings easier since breakfast is already prepared.
How to Make Quiche from Scratch
Making quiche completely from scratch feels rewarding and tastes amazing. Start with the crust by combining one and a half cups of flour with half a teaspoon of salt. Cut in half a cup of cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time until dough forms. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface into a circle.
Transfer it carefully to your pie pan and trim the edges. For the filling, follow the instructions mentioned earlier. The whole process takes about an hour plus baking time, but the homemade taste is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make quiche without cream?
Yes, you can substitute milk for cream in quiche recipes. Whole milk works best and creates a lighter custard. The texture won’t be as rich, but it still tastes good. Some people use half milk and half cream for a middle ground.
Why is my quiche watery?
Watery quiche usually means it’s underbaked or has too much liquid. Make sure to bake until the center is just set. Also, don’t add too many watery vegetables without cooking them first. Excess moisture from ingredients can make the filling runny.
Do I need to blind-bake the crust?
Blind-baking isn’t absolutely necessary but helps prevent a soggy bottom. If you have time, bake the empty crust for 10 minutes before adding filling. This creates a barrier that keeps the crust crispy and flaky.
Can I make quiche without bacon?
Absolutely! You can make vegetarian quiche by leaving out the bacon. Add more vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes instead. The basic egg and cream custard works with any combination of fillings you prefer.
How long does quiche last in the fridge?
Properly stored quiche lasts three to four days in the refrigerator. Keep it covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or warm the whole quiche in the oven.
Conclusion
Classic quiche Lorraine recipe represents the perfect combination of simple ingredients and elegant results. This French dish brings comfort and sophistication to any table without requiring advanced cooking skills. The flaky crust, creamy custard, crispy bacon, and melted cheese create flavors that everyone loves.
Whether you’re making quiche for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, it always satisfies. The recipe is forgiving and welcomes your personal touches and variations. Making quiche ahead or freezing it adds convenience to your meal planning.
With this guide, you have everything needed to create perfect quiche Lorraine every time. Try this classic recipe and discover why quiche has remained popular for generations.
