Easy Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Quiche: The Perfect Recipe for Any Occasion

Quiche is a culinary marvel, a versatile dish that effortlessly transitions from a casual breakfast to an elegant brunch or a comforting dinner. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and the endless possibilities for customization. Among the myriad combinations, the Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Quiche stands out as a timeless classic, offering a harmonious blend of earthy broccoli, sharp cheddar, and a rich, creamy egg custard all encased in a tender, flaky crust. It’s a dish that promises comfort and satisfaction with every bite, proving that delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated.

There’s a special kind of joy that comes with finding the perfect baking dish, isn’t there? It’s that moment when a new piece of kitchenware sparks an immediate desire to create, to fill it with something delicious, and perhaps, to show it off a little. I confess, I’m absolutely one of those people who will embark on a new cooking or baking project just to justify a new addition to my bakeware collection. The anticipation of unwrapping a pristine tart pan or a unique casserole dish is often all the motivation I need to get into the kitchen and experiment. It’s a delightful cycle of inspiration and creation that keeps my culinary adventures exciting.

This particular quiche adventure began, as many good stories do, with the promise of spring. After what felt like an endless winter, the thought of lighter, fresher recipes filled the air, much like the warmer weather the weatherman finally predicted. While my kids’ Easter baskets are usually filled with the bare essentials (candy being the undeniable MVP), this year was no different. Cereal bowls served as improvised baskets, brimming with enough sugary delights to ensure a blissful, candy-induced haze for a day or two. And honestly, they were perfectly content. After all, they know my post-holiday strategy: hitting up the sales for even more sweet treats.

With a clear shopping mission in mind – and a firm policy of “no pouting faces” – my girls and I set out. Our first stop, Hobby Lobby, was a quick but fruitful detour into their Easter sales. Amidst the seasonal decor, I stumbled upon a charming little cake stand and a new tablecloth for my kitchen table – score! Sticking to the initial aisles proved to be a successful strategy, avoiding the inevitable overspending that comes with wandering aimlessly.

Next, Target. The holiday candy section was our primary target, where M&Ms, Snickers, Peeps, and Jelly Beans found their way into our cart. Along with those, a cute hand towel, perfect for spring, somehow made it in too. With the holiday essentials secured, it was time for some “girl shopping” – a whirlwind of clothes, shoes, makeup, and other delightful incidentals. I managed to narrow my shoe selection down to one perfect pair, and the girls found some cute ones too, despite a slight disappointment with the spring clothing options overall. My youngest, Grace, did manage to snag a lovely outfit.

It was near the makeup aisle, while the girls were engrossed in nail polish, that I spotted it. Tucked away by one of those price-checker stations, an exquisite tart pan in a captivating turquoise color called to me. I already owned a tart pan, a 10-inch one with shorter sides, so logically, I didn’t *need* another. But a quick scan revealed its price: a mere $5.00! How could anyone leave such a treasure behind? Without a second thought, it was in my cart. This impulse find felt like destiny, a clear sign that a beautiful quiche was in my immediate future. Back at home, the urge to use and showcase my new turquoise tart pan was undeniable, and indeed, it produced a truly beautiful quiche.

Why Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche is a Timeless Classic

The combination of broccoli and cheddar cheese in a quiche isn’t just popular by chance; it’s a testament to a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Broccoli offers a slightly bitter, earthy crunch that contrasts beautifully with the sharp, savory notes of cheddar. This pairing is comforting, familiar, and appealing to a wide range of palates, making it an ideal choice for family meals or entertaining guests. Beyond its fantastic taste, broccoli adds a vibrant splash of green and a dose of essential vitamins and fiber, elevating the nutritional value of this already wholesome dish.

The Anatomy of a Perfect Quiche: Tips for Success

Crafting a delectable quiche involves a few key elements, each contributing to the final masterpiece. Let’s break down how to achieve that perfect balance of flaky crust and creamy filling.

The Crust: Foundation of Flavor

Whether you opt for a store-bought pie crust for convenience or embark on the rewarding journey of making your own, the crust is the foundation of your quiche. A good crust should be flaky, tender, and sturdy enough to hold the rich filling. If using a store-bought crust, ensure it’s properly thawed and gently pressed into your tart or pie pan. For those who prefer homemade, a simple all-butter crust offers unparalleled flavor and texture.

The Filling: Custard Perfection

The heart of any quiche is its custard. A mixture of eggs, whipping cream (or milk/half-and-half for a lighter version), and seasonings creates a rich, silky texture that binds all the ingredients together. The key here is not to overmix the eggs; a gentle whisk is all that’s needed to combine them with the cream, salt, and pepper. This prevents an overly airy or rubbery texture. The ratio of eggs to cream is crucial for achieving that desirable creamy, yet set, consistency.

The Add-Ins: Flavor and Texture

For our Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche, the preparation of the vegetables and cheese is paramount. Finely chopped onions are sautéed in butter until softened, lending a sweet, aromatic base. Broccoli florets, whether fresh or frozen, should be cooked until just tender – steamed if fresh, or simply defrosted and warmed if frozen. Overcooked broccoli can become mushy, so aim for a slight crispness. Tossing the broccoli with the onions ensures an even distribution of flavor. Finally, the shredded sharp cheddar cheese provides that essential tangy, salty kick and melts beautifully into the custard, creating pockets of gooey deliciousness.

Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Quiche

Ingredients

1 pie crust (store bought or homemade)
6 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
1-1 1/2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Roll out pie crust then lightly press into form of tart pan or pie plate.
Saute onion in butter for about 5 minutes, Just until softened. If broccoli is fresh, steam until just tender, if frozen, cook just until warmed and defrosted. Toss broccoli with onions.
Evenly spread broccoli and onions in prepared crust then sprinkle cheese over top.
In separate bowl combine eggs, cream salt and pepper. With hand mixer, whip for about 1 minute.
Pour egg mixture over broccoli and cheese.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until center is set. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.

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Tips for Quiche Success

Preheat Thoroughly: Always preheat your oven to the specified temperature. A hot oven helps set the crust quickly and ensures even cooking.
Don’t Overmix the Custard: Whisk the eggs and cream just enough to combine. Overmixing can incorporate too much air, leading to a bubbly texture that might deflate.
Proper Vegetable Preparation: Ensure your onions are softened and broccoli is tender-crisp. Raw vegetables will not cook sufficiently in the quiche, and overcooked ones will be mushy.
Even Distribution: Spread the broccoli, onions, and cheese evenly in the pie crust. This ensures every slice has a balanced flavor and texture.
Test for Doneness: The quiche is done when the center is just set. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean. It should have a slight jiggle in the very center, as it will continue to cook a bit after removing it from the oven.
Resting Time is Key: Allow the quiche to rest for at least 10 minutes after baking. This helps the custard fully set and makes for cleaner slices.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Quiche is incredibly versatile. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s fantastic for a hearty breakfast or a leisurely brunch, especially when paired with a fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. For lunch or a light dinner, it makes a satisfying main course. Consider adding a side of roasted potatoes or a cup of hot soup.

Feeling adventurous? Quiche is perfect for customization! Here are a few ideas:

Spinach and Feta: Swap broccoli for sautéed spinach and cheddar for tangy feta.
Ham and Swiss: Add diced ham and Swiss cheese for a classic combination.
Mushroom and Thyme: Sautéed mushrooms with fresh thyme offer an earthy, aromatic twist.
Bacon and Gruyere: Crispy bacon and nutty Gruyere cheese create a rich, indulgent quiche.
Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese: Sweet roasted red peppers and creamy goat cheese provide a delightful flavor contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Quiche is an excellent make-ahead meal. You can bake it a day in advance and reheat it gently in the oven or microwave. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, slices or the whole quiche can be frozen. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until warmed through.

Sharing the Love: A Culinary Community

Beyond the joy of creating delicious food, there’s immense pleasure in sharing it with others. This philosophy extends to the wonderful community of food bloggers and creators who inspire and support each other. Allow me to introduce you to my dear friend, Ashton, from Something Swanky.

Isn’t she lovely? Ashton possesses a sweet tooth that rivals my own – just take a look at her incredible Hershey Kisses recipe roundup or her divine Browned Butter Brownies (seriously, you need to pin those!). More importantly, she has a heart that’s even bigger. Ashton is the kind of friend who’s always there, ready to help in any way she can. If she lived closer, I’d undoubtedly bring her this quiche, along with a batch of cookies, and perhaps some freshly baked bread, as a warm welcome to her new home.

Since a physical housewarming isn’t possible, we’re sending her a little virtual love. My girls and I, unable to help her unpack boxes, are thrilled to join a group of amazing food bloggers in throwing Ashton a virtual housewarming party! It’s our way of celebrating her new chapter and showering her with culinary delights. So, please take a moment to visit her blog, say hello, and definitely check out those Browned Butter Brownies – they’re legendary!

Join us in celebrating Ashton’s new home with these fantastic recipes from our blogging friends:

Julianne at Beyond Frosting – Pound Cake with Champagne Glaze
Kate at Food Babbles – Raspberry Lemon Coffee Cake
Anna at Crunchy Creamy Sweet – Glazed Vanilla Donut Muffins
Loretta at A Finn in the Kitchen – Caramelized Almond Nougat Mousse Ice-Cream
Joanne at Fifteen Spatulas – Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
Ashley at Kitchen Meets Girl – Blueberry Muffins
Amber at Bluebonnets and Brownies – Lemon Drop Cookies
Dorothy at Crazy for Crust – Reese’s Fudge
Joan at Chocolate Chocolate and more – Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Quiche
Roxana at Roxana’s Home Baking – Banana Sheet Cake
Julie at White Lights on Wednesday – Mocha Cupcake Milkshake
Hayley at The Domestic Rebel – Banana Split Poke Cake
Tanya at Lemons for Lulu – Lemon Muffins
Natasha at The Cake Merchant – Nutella Layer Cake
Jocelyn at Inside Brucrew Life – Butterscotch Banana Muffins

I’m always thrilled to share my creations and connect with fellow food enthusiasts. You can often find me sharing at some of these great parties.

This Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Quiche is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the simple pleasures of home cooking. It’s about finding joy in a new baking dish, celebrating friendships, and creating delicious memories around the table. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll quickly see why it’s a staple in many kitchens. Happy baking!