Traditional Spinach Quiche

Name: Traditional Spinach Quiche
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 (9-inch) pie crust, pre-made or homemade; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped; 4 large eggs; 1 cup heavy cream; ½ cup milk; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss cheese); ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Sarah

Writer & Blogger

Dinner
April 18, 2025

Traditional Spinach Quiche: A Timeless Classic for Your Table 🥧🌿✨

1. Introduction

The traditional spinach quiche is more than just a dish; it’s a culinary hug, celebrated for its velvety, creamy texture and deeply satisfying savory flavor. This classic recipe gracefully marries fresh, vibrant spinach, luxuriously rich cheese, and a perfectly flaky crust to create a meal that’s equally at home at a sophisticated brunch, a relaxed lunch, or an elegant dinner. Thinking about what to make for dinner? This might just be it!

Whether you’re a seasoned cook with years of experience or just starting out on your culinary journey, this easy spinach quiche recipe is designed to be straightforward and deeply satisfying. There’s a certain magic that happens when simple ingredients come together to create something truly special. In this article, we’ll gently guide you through each step of making a delightful, homemade spinach quiche that will not only impress your family and friends but also become a beloved staple in your recipe collection. If you’re looking for more breakfast and brunch ideas, check out our Breakfast & Brunch Recipes!

2. Understanding the Basics of a Spinach Quiche

Before we dive into the heartwarming process of creating this dish, let’s gently cover the fundamentals, ensuring that you understand the soul of a quiche. A spinach quiche typically consists of a beautifully baked pastry crust, cradling a luscious custard that’s lovingly made from eggs, cream, cheese, and of course, the star of the show – spinach.

The beauty of a traditional spinach quiche lies not only in its exquisite taste but also in its inherent simplicity and remarkable adaptability. It’s a blank canvas for your culinary creativity! You can customize it with a delightful array of different cheeses, experiment with aromatic spices, or even add other vegetables to perfectly suit your taste buds and dietary preferences. Did you know that quiche can also be a great way to use up leftover vegetables? For more savory inspiration, explore our Dinner Recipes.

3. Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Quiche

To embark on this culinary adventure and create a truly mouthwatering homemade spinach quiche, you’ll need to gather these key ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures:

1 (9-inch) pie crust, pre-made or your cherished homemade recipe
1 tablespoon olive oil, for sautéing and adding depth of flavor
1 small onion, finely chopped to release its sweet aroma
2 cloves garlic, minced to add a pungent, savory note
10 ounces fresh spinach, meticulously washed and expertly chopped
4 large eggs, the foundation of our creamy custard
1 cup heavy cream, for that signature rich and velvety texture
½ cup milk, to balance the richness and create the perfect consistency
½ teaspoon salt, to enhance all the other flavors
¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground for a subtle spicy kick
½ cup shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss cheese), for a nutty, complex flavor
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, to add a salty, umami richness

4. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Spinach and Sauté Aromatics

Let’s begin by preheating your oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), creating the perfect environment for our quiche to bake to golden perfection. In a generously sized skillet, gently heat the olive oil over medium heat, allowing it to shimmer and release its subtle aroma. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from browning too quickly. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, filling your kitchen with an inviting aroma. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. This process is absolutely vital for a flavorful spinach quiche, as it removes excess moisture from the spinach and intensifies its flavor.

Fresh spinach being washed for a traditional spinach quiche recipe.

2. Prepare the Custard Base

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined, creating a homogenous and smooth mixture. This creamy mixture forms the very heart and soul of your easy spinach quiche, providing the perfect canvas for the other flavors to shine. If you enjoy baking, you might also like our Baking Recipes, featuring everything from cakes to cookies!

Sautéing onions and garlic for a spinach quiche filling.

3. Assemble the Quiche

Carefully place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish, ensuring it fits snugly and evenly. Sprinkle half of the Gruyere cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the bottom of the crust, creating a flavorful and protective layer. Add the cooled spinach mixture on top of the cheese, spreading it evenly to ensure every slice is packed with delicious spinach. Pour the egg mixture over the spinach, ensuring it’s evenly distributed and reaches all corners of the crust. Sprinkle the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheese over the top, creating a beautiful, cheesy crust. This layering technique ensures that every single bite of your traditional spinach quiche is an explosion of flavors and textures, a true symphony for your taste buds.

Filling a pie crust with spinach, egg, and cheese mixture for homemade quiche.

4. Bake to Golden Perfection

Carefully place the assembled quiche in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is gloriously golden brown and the filling is beautifully set. To ensure it’s perfectly cooked, insert a knife into the center; it should come out clean. Once baked, let the spinach quiche cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This cooling period is essential as it allows the quiche to set properly, making it much easier to slice and serve elegant, perfect portions. Plus, the flavors meld together beautifully as it cools!

Spinach quiche baking in oven, crust turning golden.

5. Tips for the Perfect Quiche Crust

The crust is undeniably a crucial component of a traditional spinach quiche. It provides the perfect textural contrast to the creamy filling and adds a delightful buttery flavor. For a perfectly flaky and tender crust that will elevate your quiche to new heights, consider these invaluable tips:

Blind bake the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the pie crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and bake for another 5-10 minutes until lightly golden. This technique ensures that the crust is pre-baked and prevents it from becoming soggy when the wet filling is added.
Use cold ingredients: When making a homemade crust, ensure that you use ice-cold butter and water. This prevents the gluten from overdeveloping, resulting in a wonderfully tender, flaky crust that practically melts in your mouth.
Prick the crust: Before baking, gently prick the bottom of the crust with a fork. This simple step prevents it from puffing up during baking, ensuring a perfectly even surface for your filling.

6. Variations and Customizations

One of the most delightful aspects of making an easy spinach quiche is the incredible ability to customize it to your exact liking and preferences. It’s your culinary playground! Here are a few exciting variations to try:

Add different cheeses: Experiment with a variety of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar for a bold flavor, creamy feta for a tangy twist, or luxurious goat cheese for a sophisticated flavor profile. Each cheese will add a unique dimension to your quiche.
Include other vegetables: Add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy flavor, vibrant bell peppers for a touch of sweetness, or sun-dried tomatoes for an intense, concentrated flavor that complements the spinach beautifully.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg for a warm, subtle spice, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a little extra kick that will awaken your taste buds.

If you’re looking for more light and fresh recipes, you might enjoy our Salads or Soups selections.

7. Serving Suggestions

A homemade spinach quiche is incredibly versatile and pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of side dishes, making it perfect for any meal. Consider serving it with a simple, fresh green salad for a light and refreshing contrast, a comforting cup of warm tomato soup, or a vibrant side of roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and delicious. You can find inspiration for side dishes in our Chicken Recipes and Beef Recipes categories, which often include vegetable sides.

You can also find similar recipe at onceuponachef.com

8. Health Benefits of Spinach Quiche

Besides being utterly delicious and satisfying, a spinach quiche also offers a range of notable nutritional benefits. Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants that contribute to overall health and well-being. Eggs provide a high-quality source of protein, supporting muscle growth and repair. While quiche is relatively rich due to the inclusion of cream and cheese, it can still be a part of a well-balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.

One of the greatest advantages of making it at home is the ability to carefully control the ingredients, allowing you to reduce the fat content if needed by using low-fat cream or milk. Opting for a traditional spinach quiche recipe gives you the freedom to choose fresh, natural ingredients, ensuring a healthier and more wholesome meal. For a lighter dessert option, consider our No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Balls.

9. Conclusion

Making a traditional spinach quiche is a truly rewarding experience that delivers a consistently delicious and incredibly versatile dish. With this easy spinach quiche recipe in your culinary repertoire, you can confidently create a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfectly suited for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to elegant weekend brunches. Whether you follow the recipe precisely, embracing its classic simplicity, or experiment with your own creative variations, a homemade spinach quiche is guaranteed to become a beloved favorite in your household, a dish that’s requested time and time again. Embrace the process, savor every moment of creation, and most importantly, enjoy every single delectable bite!

And if you’re looking for another recipe to add to your collection, why not try our Amish Snow Day Soup or Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry?