This Spinach Artichoke Quiche transforms everyoneโs favorite dip into a showstopping meal thatโs perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. With a flaky whole wheat crust filled with creamy spinach-artichoke goodness, it strikes the perfect balance between hearty and sophisticated. The combination of tangy cream cheese, savory vegetables, and melty cheese creates a dish thatโs impressive enough for guests but simple enough for weeknight cooking.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner โ this quiche works for any meal of the day!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare components ahead of time or bake the entire quiche in advance for easy meal planning.
- Balanced Flavors: The rich, creamy filling balances beautifully with the tangy artichokes, earthy spinach, and bright lemon notes.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Even vegetable skeptics tend to love this quiche โ itโs that good!
Ingredients Youโll Need
- Whole Wheat Pie Crust: Provides a nutty, wholesome base that complements the filling. Store-bought works perfectly if youโre short on time!
- Cream Cheese: Creates that luxuriously creamy texture that makes this quiche special. Make sure itโs properly softened for smooth blending.
- Half-and-Half: Adds richness without making the filling too heavy. You can substitute whole milk in a pinch.
- Eggs: Provide structure and binding for the filling. Room temperature eggs blend more easily.
- Frozen Spinach: Delivers earthy flavor and nutrition. The key is squeezing out ALL excess moisture to prevent a soggy quiche.
- Artichoke Hearts: Contribute a subtle tang and meaty texture. Drain them thoroughly and give them a rough chop.
- Green Onions: Add a mild aromatic quality that enhances the savory profile without overpowering.
- Cheese Blend: The combination of mozzarella (or cheddar) with parmesan creates the perfect balance of melty goodness and sharp flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens all the flavors and cuts through the richness. Donโt skip this seemingly small ingredient!
- Red Pepper Flakes: Provide just enough heat to wake up your taste buds without dominating.
- Seasonings: Simple salt and pepper let the star ingredients shine while ensuring every bite is properly seasoned.
Variations
Protein Additions
Transform this vegetarian quiche by adding protein like crispy bacon bits, diced ham, or flaked smoked salmon.
Cheese Swaps
Experiment with different cheese combinations โ try gruyรจre for nuttiness, feta for tang, or goat cheese for creaminess.
Crust Options
Switch up the base with a traditional butter crust, gluten-free option, or go crustless for a lower-carb meal.
Veggie Mix-Ins
Add roasted red peppers, sautรฉed mushrooms, or caramelized onions to build on the vegetable base.
How to Make Spinach Artichoke Quiche
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 425ยฐF. Roll out the whole wheat pie dough to an 11-inch circle and fit it into your 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges to your liking, then prick the bottom all over with a fork. Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes to prevent shrinkage during baking.
Step 2: Blind Bake the Crust
Line your chilled crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights (or dried beans). Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the weights and parchment and return to the oven for another 7 minutes until the bottom is just starting to color. This pre-baking step ensures a crisp crust.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
Reduce oven temperature to 350ยฐF. In a food processor, blend the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add half-and-half, eggs, and garlic, processing until well combined. Pulse in the drained spinach, chopped artichokes, green onions, both cheeses, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until everything is evenly distributed but not pureed.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Pour your filling into the par-baked crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place the quiche on a baking sheet (to catch any potential overflow) and bake for 40-45 minutes. Youโll know itโs done when the center is just set and slightly puffy, with gorgeous golden spots on top.
Step 5: Rest Before Serving
Allow the quiche to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This waiting period is crucial for the filling to set properly, making for cleaner slices and enhanced flavor.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Cold Crust, Hot Oven: Keeping your pie crust cold right until baking helps achieve maximum flakiness.
- Thorough Draining: Really squeeze that spinach! Extra moisture is the enemy of a perfectly textured quiche.
- Food Processor Method: Using a food processor creates the silkiest filling texture, but you can also mix by hand if needed.
- Cheese Grating: Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded, which often contains anti-caking agents.
- Watch for Browning: If the crust edge starts browning too quickly, cover just the rim with foil strips or a pie shield.
How to Serve
Breakfast or Brunch Pairings
Serve with a light mixed greens salad dressed with simple vinaigrette, fresh fruit, and coffee or mimosas for a perfect brunch spread.
Dinner Pairings
For dinner, pair with a heartier side salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread with good butter.
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh herbs (chives, parsley, or dill), a dollop of sour cream, or a few dashes of hot sauce can elevate each serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead Options
Prepare the crust and filling separately up to a day in advance, then assemble and bake when needed. Alternatively, bake the entire quiche up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate.
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover quiche covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor often improves after a day as ingredients meld together.
Freezing
This quiche freezes beautifully! Cool completely, then wrap individual slices or the whole quiche tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating
For best texture, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat individual slices in a 325ยฐF oven for 10-15 minutes or microwave at 50% power just until warmed through. Reheating the entire quiche? Cover with foil and warm in a 325ยฐF oven for 20-25 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Youโll need about 1 pound of fresh spinach, which cooks down dramatically. Sautรฉ it first until completely wilted, then cool, squeeze out excess moisture, and chop before adding to the filling.
Why did my quiche get watery?
The culprit is usually excess moisture in the spinach or artichokes. Make sure to thoroughly drain both ingredients. Another tip: letting the quiche rest for 10-15 minutes after baking helps the filling set properly.
Can I make this quiche crustless?
Definitely! Simply grease your pie dish well, pour in the filling, and bake. You may need to reduce the baking time slightly, so start checking around 30-35 minutes.
Is there a dairy-free alternative I can use?
You can substitute dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based milk, and vegan cheese alternatives. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious. Just make sure your chosen products melt well for the best results.
Final Thoughts
This Spinach Artichoke Quiche brings together everything there is to love about the classic dip in a satisfying, meal-worthy form. The creamy filling, vibrant vegetables, and flaky crust create a dish that feels special yet requires minimal effort. Whether youโre hosting brunch, planning a light dinner, or meal prepping for busy days, this versatile recipe deserves a regular spot in your cooking rotation. Give it a try โ Iโm confident it will become one of your go-to recipes!
Spinach Artichoke Quiche Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spinach Artichoke Quiche is a savory and satisfying dish that combines the creamy richness of cheeses with the earthy freshness of spinach and the tangy bite of artichokes. Nestled inside a flaky whole wheat pie crust, this dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner. Itโs packed with flavor and nutrients, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing recipe for any occasion.
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Ingredients
For Pastry:
- 1โ9โณ single Whole Wheat Pie Crust
For Filling:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) half-and-half
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 6 ounces (170 grams) chopped frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed out
- 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup (80 grams) mozzarella or cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Pastry:
Preheat the oven to 425ยบF. Roll out the pie dough into an 11โณ circle and line a 9โ pie plate. Crimp the edges as desired, then use a fork to prick the bottom of the dough all over. Place the pie crust in the freezer for 10 minutes to chill. Once chilled, line the dough with a piece of parchment paper and add pie weights (or dry rice, beans, or lentils), ensuring the weights are pushed to the edges. Bake for 20 minutes, remove the parchment and weights, and bake for an additional 7 minutes. Set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 350ยบF. - Prepare the Filling:
In a food processor, add the softened cream cheese and process until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the half-and-half, eggs, and minced garlic, and process until thoroughly combined. - Combine Ingredients:
Add the spinach, artichoke hearts, green onions, mozzarella (or cheddar), parmesan cheese, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Pulse the mixture 3-5 times until fully combined but still slightly chunky. - Assemble and Bake:
Pour the filling into the partially baked crust, smoothing the top evenly. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake at 350ยบF for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is puffy and set. - Cool and Serve:
Allow the quiche to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. It can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute the whole wheat pie crust with your preferred crust, such as a basic butter pie crust or a cream cheese pie crust.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free pie crust.
- Feel free to add a dash of nutmeg to the filling for a subtle flavor boost.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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