Fitness / May 8, 2024

Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

Craving a savory and satisfying brunch classic? Try our healthy broccoli cheddar quiche!

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Did you always hear the phrase “eat more broccoli” growing up? Yeah, I know, that can get super annoying — but I totally understand why people go crazy for this green vegetable! When it comes to uber-healthy veggies, broccoli is an undeniable superstar, and we should all be getting more of it in our diets.

But there’s a huge struggle we all face when cooking with broccoli: Not everyone’s a fan of its flavor. If you’ve ever cooked for kiddos, you know how easily a side of broccoli could stay stuck on the side of their plates!

Thankfully, there are so many super sneaky — and delicious! — ways to add this “green monster” to a meal plan. And I’m not just talking about creative side dishes like my “Mashed Broccoli” or “Parmesan Roasted Broccoli.” You could mix broccoli into a meal without anyone at your table complaining. Seriously.

Case in point: I put together a savory Broccoli Cheddar Quiche with all the creamy comfort of this traditional brunch snack, plus an extra helping of healthy broccoli. Even if you aren’t a fan of broccoli on its own, I bet you won’t have any issues chowing down on this rich and flaky meal!

Is Broccoli Cheddar Quiche Healthy?

You don’t need a degree in nutrition to know that broccoli is one of the healthiest veggies on earth. Add in extra protein power from the eggs, and there’s a lot to feel good about as you’re munching on a broccoli cheddar quiche.

OK, some may say that smothering broccoli in cheese is “cheating,” but I say it’s a great way to get this veggie in your belly! If you struggle to scarf down broccoli on its own, mixing it in a cheesy recipe like this quiche helps bring all of broccoli’s benefits into your diet.

Plus, there are plenty of ways you could change this recipe to suit your needs. Here are just a few examples of ways you could make this quiche dish your own:

Add more veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or onions for even more flavor and nutrition.
Omit the pie crust or use a gluten-free or low-carb alternative made with almond flour.
Try tofu scramble or chickpea flour batter rather than eggs if you’re vegan.
Use less cheese or focus on a low-fat cheese for less saturated fat.

How to Keep Quiche’s Crust Crispy: A Few Pro Tips

Nobody wants to eat a quiche with a soggy crust; however, this tends to be a common issue people face when making a quiche for the first time. Luckily, I used many foolproof cooking techniques in this broccoli cheddar quiche recipe, so you’ll get that golden flaky crust every time — pinky swear!

The best way to prevent a soggy situation is to “blind-bake” your crust without the filling. While they have fancy pie weights you could use for this step, I just grab some trusty dried beans to weigh down the crust. Yes, this will take some extra time, but it’s the only way to guarantee your crust is firm enough for the final bake with your egg mixture.

Also, please always prick the bottom of your pie crust with a fork a few times before popping it in the oven. This simple step helps steam escape, which prevents any bubbles from forming on your crust.

INGREDIENTS

1 9-inch prepared pie crust
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
4 cups small chopped broccoli florets

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare Crust

Fit the crust into the pan and freeze to prevent shrinkage during baking.

Bake Crust

Preheat the oven and bake the crust with weights to set its shape.

Finish Crust

Remove weights and bake until the crust edges start to brown.

Mix Filling

Combine eggs, milk, cheese, seasonings, and broccoli in a bowl.

Assemble Quiche

Pour the filling into the crust and smooth the top.

Bake Quiche

Bake until the quiche is set and the crust is perfectly browned.

Serve

Allow to cool slightly, then serve.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If you want to make your quiche ahead of time, pour the egg and broccoli mixture into a blind-baked crust, wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store it in the fridge for up to two days. After fully baking your broccoli cheddar quiche, let it chill before wrapping it in plastic wrap and putting it in an airtight container in your fridge. You can keep this quiche refrigerated for 2 – 3 days, or a couple of months in the freezer.

Should You Cook Broccoli Before Adding it to the Quiche?

It’s not necessary to cook broccoli before putting it in your quiche, but some people like the softer texture and caramelized bits from pre-cooked broccoli. Just keep in mind you could make your broccoli florets mushy if you pre-cook them too long. Also, broccoli loses more of its nutrients the longer you cook it, so you won’t get the maximum health benefit.

Is it OK to Use Heavy Cream with Milk?

For an extra creamy experience, you can cut out half of the milk and substitute with heavy cream or half-and-half. While these ingredients add extra decadence to your broccoli cheddar quiche, they will increase the fat content.

Serving Suggestions

Quiches are a classic brunch option, but who said you can only serve these slices on the weekend? Since this broccoli cheddar quiche is so easy to store and travel with, it’s a hit with employees who want a quick, simple weekday lunch. Broccoli cheddar quiche can also be a saving grace on days when you’re too crazy busy to cook a full dinner.

If you want to give your broccoli cheddar quiche an extra splash of color, try garnishing with fresh oregano, chives, or parsley to complement broccoli’s hints of green. You could also top your broccoli cheddar quiche with sour cream and serve with a crisp side like my “Paleo Baked Zucchini Fritters.”

Pro tip: Remember you can serve your broccoli cheddar quiche at room temperature, so it’s a fantastic option whenever you’re packing food for a picnic.

Broccoli and Cheese Quiche

Course Brunch

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 30

Servings servings

Calories 118kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 9- inch prepared pie crust
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
4 cups small chopped broccoli florets

Instructions

Fit the pie crust into a 9.5-inch pie pan, crimp the edges, and prick the base with a fork. Freeze the crust for 20 minutes to firm up.
Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line the chilled crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 12 minutes.
Remove the parchment and weights, and continue baking the crust for another 10 minutes until the edges are just starting to brown.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Mix in the shredded cheese, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and broccoli until well combined.
Pour the broccoli and egg mixture into the pre-baked crust, spreading it out evenly.
Bake the quiche for 37-42 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the center is set.
Let the quiche cool slightly before serving. DEVOUR!