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 212 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. Follow the instructions to make one of the vegetable variations below:

  • 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 kind of cheese is best for 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.

How does the frittata get its fluffy texture? ›

Forgetting to add milk or cream.

This is the ingredient that gives frittatas their signature creamy, fluffy texture. Without this important addition, frittatas cook up flatter and a bit more dense. Follow this tip: After whisking the eggs together, be sure to whisk in some milk or cream.

What kind of pan is best for frittata? ›

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.

What makes a frittata so different from an omelet? ›

While it's similar to an omelet, crustless quiche, and Spanish tortilla, the way a frittata is cooked is what sets it apart. Frittatas are generally thicker than omelets. A frittata is made with the exact same ingredients as an omelet, but here, the milk, or more preferably, cream, is crucial.

Do you add milk to frittata? ›

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.

What is the difference between a frittata and a quiche? ›

A frittata is partially cooked in a skillet on the cooktop then finished in the oven. It also has a lower egg to dairy ratio making it closer to an open faced omelet than a pie. Quiche has a creamier, custard-like texture due to more dairy and is cooked entirely in the oven.

Do you flip a frittata out of the pan? ›

I suddenly found myself with a frittata cooking in the skillet and no broiler to finish it under. The solution was simple: Just flip it like a Spanish tortilla. Compared to a normal finished-in-the-oven frittata which can take on a poofy, souffléd texture, flipping produces a much creamier, denser omelette.

When making a frittata which ingredient should be pre cooked prior to adding it to the egg mixture? ›

Tough vegetables like potatoes, squash and onions need to be pre-cooked since they will not have time enough to soften before the eggs are done. Raw meats such as bacon and sausage also need more time and heat to cook through safely, so get them prepped before your other ingredients.

How do you keep a frittata from sticking to the pan? ›

Add olive oil to grease – this will stop frittata from sticking. Add frittata mixture to the pan.

Does a frittata have a crust? ›

Crust: A quiche has crust while a frittata does not. Sometimes, quiche is baked without crust.

What is a fun fact about frittata? ›

The frittata originates from the Mediterranean region, and a very similar dish with eggs, cheese, and vegetables was known in ancient Rome. All the efforts of tracing this dish to a particular Italian region defies attempts, as it is popular all over Italy.

What type of cheese is best for omelette? ›

Cheese: Almost any cheese you love will work, but be aware some cheeses melt better than others. Cheddars, mozzarella, and alpine cheeses like Gruyère all melt perfectly for an omelet, but other cheeses like feta, parmesan, or manchego will work too.

What cheese is best to melt with eggs? ›

We usually choose Edam, Gouda, or Cheddar, but other semi-hard cheeses you love will work too. We would usually make this recipe on weekends when we love to slow down and enjoy the morning with freshly scrambled eggs and sourdough bread, but honestly, they are perfect on any day of the year.

What goes well with frittata? ›

Classic sides for a frittata include a fresh green salad, fruit salad, crispy potatoes and/or some fresh bread, scones or toast. Bacon, ham or sausage are also popular side dishes. In Italy and Spain, frittata is often cooled to room temperature and served as a snack or antipasti.

What is the best cheese for stringy cheese? ›

Medium acid, high fat cheese such as Gruyère, moist Cheddar, Gouda, Comté and Mozzarella. These melt more smoothly (and become stringy).

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