Here’s a refined and delicious recipe for an Elegant Ricotta and Spinach Quiche — light, custardy, and perfect for brunch, tea, or a light dinner with salad and wine. The ricotta gives it a creamy texture, and the spinach adds freshness and depth.
🥧 Elegant Ricotta and Spinach Quiche
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Serves: 6–8
📝 Ingredients:
For the Crust (or use store-bought):
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced
- 3–4 tbsp ice water
For the Filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small shallot or ½ onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 oz fresh spinach (or 1 cup thawed frozen spinach, well-drained)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half for a richer custard)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: ¼ tsp crushed red pepper or a pinch of thyme
👩🍳 Instructions:
🔸 Make the Crust:
- In a bowl or food processor, combine flour and salt.
- Add cold butter and pulse or cut in with a pastry cutter until crumbly.
- Add ice water 1 tbsp at a time until dough just holds together.
- Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll out and fit into a 9-inch tart pan or pie dish. Prick the base with a fork.
- Blind bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes (use parchment and pie weights). Remove weights and bake 5 minutes more. Set aside.
🔸 Make the Filling:
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté shallot/onion until soft (2–3 min). Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add spinach and cook just until wilted. Let cool slightly and squeeze out any excess moisture (especially if using frozen spinach).
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, ricotta, Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooled spinach mixture.
🔸 Assemble & Bake:
- Pour filling into the pre-baked crust and smooth the top.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is just set and lightly golden.
- Cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing — can be served warm or at room temperature.
🌿 Elegant Serving Ideas:
- Garnish with microgreens, fresh thyme, or a dollop of herbed crème fraîche
- Serve with a light arugula salad, chilled rosé, or sparkling water with lemon