How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (2024)

Learn how to make a frittata with this simple guide + 5 recipe variations! Perfect for any meal from brunch to dinner, they're easy and delicious.

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How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (1)

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (2)

A frittata is my #1 favorite brunch item to make at home. It’s easy and versatile, so I thought with Easter coming up this weekend, you may like a frittata recipe idea… or five! I usually make my frittatas with whatever vegetables I have on hand, which means that I’ve tried a whole bunch of various combinations over the years. Below are a few of my favorites along with some tips.

First things first though, you may be asking… what is a frittata? Some call a frittata a crustless quiche (although, I call a quiche a crust-full frittata). It’s an egg-bake filled with yummy vegetables, herbs, and a bit of cheese. If you’re not a savory breakfast person, it’s a quick weeknight dinner option.

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (3)

How To Make A Frittata

Frittatas are so simple to make! Here’s how:

  1. Choose a recipe variation below, and start by whisking together the frittata base: a simple mixture of eggs, almond milk (or any milk), garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Then, sauté your veggies in a 10 or 12-inch cast iron skillet just until tender.
  3. When the veggies are ready, stir in any spices or herbs before adding the eggs. Pour in the frittata base, and shake the pan gently to distribute it among the vegetables.
  4. Sprinkle your frittata with cheese and transfer the pan to a 400-degree oven.
  5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is lightly golden around the edges.
  6. Allow the frittata to cool slightly before slicing and devouring!

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Frittata Recipe Variations

Part of the fun of a frittata is getting creative with your vegetable and herb combinations. Here are 5 of my favorites!

  1. Broccoli & Feta (pictured above)
  2. Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach
  3. Spring Veggie with Asparagus
  4. Mixed Mushroom & Tarragon
  5. Caprese, with Cherry Tomatoes & Basil

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (5)

Frittata Tips

Follow these tips and tricks to make an A+ frittata every time:

  • Spread your veggies evenly throughout the pan before pouring in the eggs.Once you pour the egg mixture in, you won’t be moving the vegetables around much (or you’d end up with scrambled eggs!), so make sure the veggies are spaced evenly in the pan to get a final frittata with veggies in every bite.
  • Change it up!Play around with these flavor combinations. If you try swapping in different herbs or vegetables, keep in mind that a good veggie:egg ratio is about 1/4 cup of veggies per egg, or 2 heaping cups of vegetables for 6-8 eggs.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet.The best choice for making frittatas, cast iron skillets can safely go from stovetop to oven, and they conduct heat well and evenly. Seasoning a cast-iron pan gives it a non-stick quality, so a well-seasoned skillet will result in the easiest slicing & serving. I like to use anenameled cast iron skillet, which does not require any pre-seasoning. If you don’t have a skillet, go make this breakfast casserole recipe instead.
  • Safety first! Don’t forget that when the cast iron skillet comes out of the oven, the handle will remain hot for a while – I’ve learned this the hard way multiple times. Place a kitchen towel on it to remind yourself not to grab it before it cools off. You can also get one of these silicone handle covers.

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Frittata Serving Suggestions

If you’re serving your frittata as part of a bigger brunch, mimosas, classic french toast, banana bread, pancakes or muffins, French toast, baked oatmeal, overnight oats, blueberry scones, or fruit salad would all be great choices to go with it.

To dress up individual slices, top them with additional fresh herbs or serve with sliced avocado, dollops of lemony yogurt, or scoops of pesto, pico de gallo or tomatillo salsa.

For a weeknight dinner, I like to serve my frittata with a kale salad and some good bread.

Please let me know what your favorite frittata recipe variations are in the comments. Enjoy!

For more healthy breakfast ideas check out this post!

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Frittata Recipe, plus 5 Variations

rate this recipe:

4.98 from 215 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Serves 3 to 4

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Here is a basic frittata recipe plus 5 easy & delicious vegetable frittata variations.

Equipment

Ingredients

Basic Frittata Recipe:

Variation #1: Broccoli Feta (pictured)

Variation #2: Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach

Variation #3: Spring Veggie

Variation #4: Mixed Mushroom & Tarragon

  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 12 ounces mixed mushrooms, chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped tarragon
  • cup grated pecorino cheese

Variation #5: Caprese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  • Whisk the eggs, almond milk, garlic, and salt until well combined. Set aside. Choose a vegetable variation. Follow the corresponding instructions to make it.

  • Broccoli Feta:

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions, broccoli, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender but still bright green, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the smoked paprika, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Sprinkle with the feta and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach:

    Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the roasted red peppers and spinach. Sauté until the spinach is wilted, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Sprinkle with the feta and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Spring Veggie:

    Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions, asparagus, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is tender but still bright green, about 5 minutes. Add the peas, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Add the mozzarella and feta and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Mixed Mushroom & Tarragon:

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, stir, and cook until soft and tender, about 8 minutes, stirring only occasionally. Stir in the tarragon, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Sprinkle with the pecorino and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Caprese:

    Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, half the basil, stir, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Add the mozzarella and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Top with the remaining basil. Season to taste and serve.

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

What is the frittata formula? ›

Easy Formula For a Frittata

6 eggs. 1/4 cup heavy cream. 1 cup cheese. 2 cups veggies and/or meat.

What kind of cheese is best for frittata? ›

For a standard 12-egg frittata, stir in about one cup (shred it first). Want to top the eggs with cheese, too? Shoot for ¼ to ½ cup more. If it's an oozing texture you're after, pick cheeses that have superior melting quality: "This is your cheddar, gruyère, and fontina," says Perry.

How do you keep frittata fluffy? ›

The very best frittatas have a texture that's light, fluffy, and springy. But leave it in the oven too long and you'll quickly find yourself with a frittata that's dry, rubbery, and crumbly. Follow this tip: Cook the frittata in the oven just until the center is no longer jiggly and the edges are golden-brown.

Should I add milk to my frittata? ›

Do you add water or milk to a frittata? Let's just say that full-fat milk or heavy cream is the best way to go. Water will work, but you won't get the density and rich texture you'll get when you use a full-fat liquid. Sour cream, crème fraîche or yogurt can be substituted for the heavy cream in this recipe.

What makes a frittata so different from an omelet? ›

A frittata is cooked slowly over low heat while an omelet is cooked quickly over higher heat. Whereas omelets are served hot straight from the stove, frittatas are often served at room temperature, making them perfect to make ahead for brunches or larger groups.

What are 3 main differences between a frittata and a quiche? ›

Origin: Frittata is an Italian dish whereas quiche is a French dish. Crust: A quiche has crust while a frittata does not. Sometimes, quiche is baked without crust. Base Ingredients: While both frittatas and quiches are made with eggs, quiche is made with an egg custard, which also includes cream or milk.

What kind of pan should I use for a frittata? ›

Since frittatas start on the stovetop and finish cooking in the oven, above all else, an oven-safe skillet is key. And when it comes to this egg dish, the best choice is a cast iron skillet.

How do you keep frittata from drying out? ›

Adding a bit of dairy, whether it's cream or thick yogurt, is essential for getting the moisture and creaminess of the frittata just right. For every dozen eggs, use a half cup of dairy. It can be cream, whole milk, sour cream, yogurt, crème fraîche, even cottage cheese.

Why is my frittata soggy on the bottom? ›

The only key is to ensure you brown off before adding in the eggs to ensure you don't have lots of liquid that gets released which will make your frittata soggy and watery on the bottom. Some things I like to add are: Leftover roasted veg - peppers, onion, zucchini, sweet potato, butternut. Mushrooms.

How to tell when frittata is done? ›

The eggs should be cooked through, not runny and a knife should come out clean when inserted into the centre. You can also give the skillet a gentle shake to determine if it is done; a runny frittata will jiggle when you shake the skillet.

Should you flip a frittata? ›

Pre-seasoning the eggs with salt helps them retain moisture during cooking. Cooking the vegetables in batches gives us more control over their texture. Keeping the cheese in large chunks gives us oozy pockets in the frittata. Flipping the frittata ensures a creamy, dense center.

Why is my frittata bland? ›

If you don't add seasoning to your frittata, it will end up tasting bland. Season your eggs with salt and pepper before putting them in the pan–a sprinkle of salt on top of the eggs before they bake will only flavor the top crust of the eggs, and not the whole dish.

What is the best cheese to put in a frittata? ›

Crumbled Feta Cheese: I love the creamy, salty tang of feta, but a shredded hard Italian cheese, such as parmigiano reggiano or pecorino romano, would also be delicious in this Mediterranean-inspired frittata.

What is the frittata ratio to memorize? ›

The egg to dairy ratio: If you are making a smaller frittata use 6 eggs and 1/4 cup of dairy, and if you are making a larger frittata use 12 eggs and 1/2 cup of dairy.

When determining how many eggs to use in a frittata generally? ›

Explanation: When determining how many eggs to use in a frittata, generally 2 eggs per person is sufficient. In the context of recipes and cooking, the number of eggs required will often depend on the scale or size of the meal being prepared.

What is the formula for quiche? ›

A good quiche custard typically features: 1 large egg to 1/2 cups of dairy. The dairy can be any combination of milk and/or half-and-half, for example: 1 large egg : ½ cup milk. 1 large egg : ½ cup half-and-half.

What is the egg hatching formula? ›

The following formula is used to calculate the hatch rate of a set of eggs. To calculate the hatch rate of a chicken, divide the number of eggs hatched by the number of eggs in the incubator, then multiply by 100.

What is the egg formula? ›

The parameters a, b, c are suitable to describe the egg shape. 2a is its length, 2b its width and d shows the broadest position. The drawn egg shaped curve has the parameters a=4, b=2 und d=1. The equation is 4x²+16y²+2xy²+y²-64=0.

What is vegetable frittata made of? ›

This Vegetable Frittata is made with eggs, a variety of fresh vegetables, and cheese. This frittata recipe is very versatile and makes a great quick and easy meal. Enjoy for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner.

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