Dad’s famous quiche is extra cheesy and extra delicious, loaded with smoky ham and leeks! There really isn’t a more perfect breakfast, lunch, or even dinner!
Save the Recipe!
This was one of my favorite recipes growing up…and it still is to this day. It’s THAT good. Loaded with sweet leeks, smoky ham, and tons of cheese, this quiche recipe is seriously the best. It’s gone from a family heirloom to a favorite among friends and now you guys! Cheers! P.S. using the same cheesy, base try my Quiche Florentine and Mini Quiche Recipe!
Why This Is the Best Easy Quiche Recipe
- Tried and true family heirloom recipe
- Extra cheesy
- Easy to make (using a store-bought crust!)
- Great made ahead
- Customizable (stuff it however you want!)
Ingredients
- Store-bought pie crust – you can make your own crust, but a savory store-bought crust works super well!
- Smoked ham – you can dice your own or look for pre-diced and smoked ham!
- Leeks – leeks add sweet onion flavor and softness.
- Emmentaler or Jarlsberg cheese – Emmentaler and Jarlsberg cheese (mild, swiss-like cheese) are easy to find in your local grocery store. They are great for melting and add the best flavor for a cheesy quiche!
- Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan cheese – Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan cheese adds a nutty, complex flavor. Parmigiano-Reggiano is aged and more expensive but worth it if you’re looking to splurge!
- Heavy Cream – heavy cream will bind your quiche together.
- Eggs – eggs will bind your quiche together.
- Extra virgin olive oil – olive oil is used to sweat leeks before assembling your quiche.
- Chives – chives are the perfect garnish and pop of green.
- Salt – salt adds flavor.
How To Make Quiche
Learn how to make the best quiche! Full instructions in the recipe card; this is an outline!
- Bake.
Bake the crust for 2-3 minutes less than the recommended timing on the pie crust packaging. Set aside.
- Sauté.
Sauté olive oil and leeks for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, just until softened.
- Remove.
Remove leeks from the pot using a slotted spoon. Place an even layer of leeks on the pie crust.
- Add more.
Add diced ham on top of leeks in an even layer.
- Mix.
Mix the grated cheeses together and spread evenly over the ham layer.
- Whisk.
Whisk together heavy cream, eggs and salt.
- Drizzle.
Drizzle the egg/cream mixture VERY slowly in a spiral motion throughout the quiche. Be careful not to pour too quickly!
- Sprinkle.
Sprinkle chives on top of the quiche.
- Bake.
Bake the quiche uncovered for 30 minutes in an 350℉ oven. Then loosely cover the quiche with foil and bake for an additional 45 minutes. The quiche should be a deep golden brown color and the egg mixture should be set.
- Rest.
Let the quiche rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it.
Variations
Change things up and use different mix-ins! Here are some of my favorite additions:
- Cooked bacon, pancetta, proscuitto or sausage
- Caramelized Onions, shallots, or garlic
- Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, asparagus, artichoke hearts, roasted potatoes, butternut squash, or olives
- Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, dill, tarragon, or basil)
My Pro Tip
Tips for Making the Best Quiche
- Make sure your store-bought pie crust is savory, with little to no sugar added!
- Drizzle your egg/cream mixture VERY slowly, in a spiral motion, throughout your quiche. If you pour too quickly, the mixture won’t have time to absorb into the quiche and it will spill over!
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead and storage: you can absolutely make ham and cheese quiche ahead, 3-4 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator, after it has fully cooled, covered tightly.
- Reheat: cover and reheat, covered, in a 325℉ oven until warmed through. You can also microwave slices, covered, in a pinch!
- Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing quiche!
What to Serve With Quiche
If you’re serving quiche for breakfast, serve alongside Fruit Salad, Parker House Rolls, Homemade Breakfast Sausage, and Cold Brew Coffee.
For lunch or brunch, I love serving quiche with a simple Arugula Salad or Kale Salad for a pop of freshness!
More Egg Brunch Recipes You’ll Love!
If you’ve tried this Quiche Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!
Dad’s Quiche Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought pie crust, 9 inch
- ⅓ pound smoked ham, diced
- 1 medium leek, dark green stalks removed and finely diced
- 1 ¾ cup coarsely grated Emmentaler cheese, or Jarlsberg or Gruyere depending on availability
- 1 cup coarsely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, or regular parmesan cheese if preferred
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small handful fresh chives, chopped
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bake the pie crust 2-3 minutes less than recommended on pie crust packaging (usually 10-15 minutes). Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350℉. In a small pot, add olive oil and leeks. Sauté leeks just until softened, about 2-3 minutes, over medium heat.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove leeks from pot and place an even layer of leeks on pie crust.
- Add diced ham on top of leeks in an even layer.
- Mix grated cheeses together and spread evenly over ham.
- Whisk together heavy cream, eggs, and salt.
- Drizzle your egg/cream mixture VERY slowly, in a spiral motion, throughout your quiche. If you pour too quickly, the mixture won’t have time to absorb into the quiche and it will spill over! Use as much of the mixture as possible, until the pie crust is full without spilling over. There may be a bit leftover depending on the exact size of the crust.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of chives on top of quiche.
- Bake ham and cheese quiche, uncovered, at 350℉ for 30 minutes. Then loosely cover your quiche with foil and bake for an additional 45 minutes, or until quiche is deep golden brown and egg mixture is set. The total baking time is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Let quiche rest for 10 minutes before slicing!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oh yum this looks sooo good! I love quiches and will def have to try this recipe out.
So glad you found the recipe! Let me know how it goes.