Ham and Cheese Quiche

Up your brunch game with a homemade ham and cheese quiche! Like all breakfast casseroles, quiche is an excellent make-ahead dish for your Easter brunch or a quick lunch idea any time of year. Salty ham and melty cheese combine for the classic, crowd-pleasing filling, and for a shortcut, this quiche recipe calls for a store-bought crust, that you don't even have to par-bake! The filling is simple, too: It's whisked together in a bowl with no stove-top cooking required.

What kind of ham is best for ham and cheese quiche?

You have a few options! You can visit the deli counter at your local grocery store and request 8 ounces of your favorite ham. Or, if you have extra holiday ham on hand, just use that! Dice the ham into bite-size pieces before adding it to the pie crust.

Can you use bacon instead of ham?

Yes! Just be sure to cook the bacon until it's crisp, let it drain on paper towels, and crumble before adding it to your pie crust.

Can I use milk instead of half-and-half for quiche?

Half-and-half adds richness and creaminess to the quiche. You can use whole milk in its place, but there are better half-and-half substitutions. In place of 1 cup of half and half, you could also substitute 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup milk. Or, use 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup of milk.

Do you have to make homemade pie crust for quiche?

Nothing beats this homemade pie crust, but when quickness and ease are the objectives, just pick up a refrigerated pie crust from your nearest supermarket. After all, the creamy, rich filling is the star of this quiche!

Do you have to par-bake crust for a quiche?

It is not entirely necessary to par-bake the crust of a quiche. This recipe uses the simple trick of preheating a baking sheet, while your oven preheats. You bake the quiche on the hot baking sheet and it works like a pizza stone to help the bottom crisp up.

Can you make ham and cheese quiche ahead of time?

You sure can! This quiche can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerated. When it comes time to eat, reheat it in a 315-degree Fahrenheit oven until warm. Or, pull it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before mealtime and enjoy it at room temperature. The great thing about quiche is that it's delicious at almost any temperature.