The Heartwarming Story Behind This Beloved Bacon & Swiss Quiche Recipe
This particular Bacon and Swiss Quiche recipe holds a profoundly special place in my culinary journey. It wasn’t just the first quiche I ever attempted to bake; it remains my absolute favorite to this day. Its origins trace back to a cherished friend who, many years ago, hosted magnificent and elaborate tea parties at her home. These gatherings were always filled with laughter, delightful conversations, and, of course, an array of exquisite treats.
She generously shared this treasured recipe with me, along with another family favorite: her recipe for Almond Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprints, which were a constant fixture at her elegant tea parties. Both recipes quickly found their way into my family’s regular rotation and have since become beloved staples, evoking warm memories with every bite. The simplicity and timeless appeal of this quiche have made it a cornerstone of our family breakfasts, brunches, and even quick dinners, proving that some recipes are truly meant to be passed down and cherished.
Easy Bacon and Swiss Quiche: A Versatile Culinary Delight
A classic for brunch, this savory cheese and bacon quiche transcends traditional meal times, proving equally delightful for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Its ease of preparation is one of its most appealing features, making it accessible even for novice cooks. You can even get a head start by prepping many of the ingredients in advance, streamlining your cooking process.
The beauty of this Bacon Swiss Quiche lies in its simplicity: gather your prepped ingredients, whisk the egg and cream mixture, pour it over the fillings in your pie crust, and let your oven do the rest. It comes together in minutes, with the active prep time depending mostly on the quantity you intend to make. Furthermore, this quiche stores exceptionally well in the refrigerator or freezer, ensuring you always have a delicious, ready-to-eat meal on hand whenever hunger strikes. It’s the perfect solution for busy mornings, impromptu gatherings, or simply when you crave a comforting, homemade dish without the fuss.
Mastering the Bacon: To Cook or Not to Cook Before Quiche?
A common question when preparing quiche is whether to pre-cook the bacon. While, technically, you *could* use raw bacon, as the baking time and heat are sufficient to cook it through, I strongly recommend against it. My approach, and the secret to a superior quiche, involves cooking and crumbling the bacon *before* adding it to the pie crust. Let me explain why this step is crucial for achieving the best flavor and texture.
Firstly, pre-cooking the bacon allows you to render and discard a significant amount of the excess fat. If you were to use raw bacon, all that grease would seep into your quiche, resulting in a soggy, oily bottom and a less appealing texture. Removing the grease ensures a cleaner, richer flavor profile that truly shines.
Secondly, cooking the bacon beforehand intensifies its smoky, savory flavor. This process concentrates the unique taste of the bacon, adding depth and complexity to your quiche that elevates it beyond a simple combination of eggs, cheese, and bacon. The crisp, flavorful bits of bacon become distinct pockets of deliciousness within the creamy egg custard.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, pre-cooking guarantees your bacon will be perfectly done. Nobody wants undercooked, “wiggly” bacon in their quiche. By cooking it to a desirable crispness beforehand, you eliminate any worry about its doneness, ensuring a delightful textural contrast with the smooth custard. After your quiche is baked, consider a final flourish by topping it with fresh scallions, a sprinkle of finely chopped herbs, or even a few extra crumbles of crispy bacon. Remember, a bacon cheese egg quiche isn’t just an egg pie; it’s a culinary canvas, and these small details transform it into a true work of art.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Bacon & Swiss Quiche
Crafting this delightful Bacon & Swiss Quiche requires a straightforward list of readily available ingredients, ensuring a successful and flavorful result every time. You will need:
- **A deep-dish pie shell:** This forms the foundation of your quiche. Whether you opt for a homemade pastry or a convenient store-bought version, the choice is entirely yours – there’s no judgment here!
- **Large eggs:** The cornerstone of any quiche, providing the creamy, custardy texture.
- **Half & Half:** This dairy component delivers richness without being overly heavy, creating a perfectly balanced consistency.
- **Onion:** Finely minced, it adds a subtle aromatic sweetness that complements the savory bacon and cheese.
- **Bacon:** Cooked until crispy and crumbled, it’s the star of the show, bringing irresistible smoky flavor and texture.
- **Swiss cheese:** Shredded, its distinctive nutty and slightly sweet notes melt beautifully into the custard.
- **A touch of sugar:** A small amount helps to tenderize the crust and balance the savory flavors of the quiche, enhancing its overall depth.
- **Salt:** Essential for seasoning and bringing out the best in all the ingredients.
Assembling Your Bacon & Swiss Quiche: Simple Steps to Savory Perfection
The assembly of this quiche is as simple as its ingredients, making it an accessible recipe for cooks of all levels. Begin by preparing your pie crust, whether you choose to use your favorite homemade recipe or a convenient store-purchased one. No judgment here – the goal is a delicious quiche!
Once your crust is ready, evenly layer the cooked and crumbled bacon, minced onion, and shredded Swiss cheese into the bottom of the pie crust. This creates a flavorful base. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, half & half, sugar, and salt until thoroughly combined and smooth. Gently pour this creamy egg mixture over the ingredients in the pie crust, ensuring everything is evenly distributed. Your quiche is now ready for the oven, destined to emerge as a golden, savory masterpiece.
Bacon and Cheese Quiche Without Heavy Cream: A Lighter, Equally Delicious Option
While many quiche recipes traditionally call for heavy cream to achieve that signature rich and creamy texture, I find that Half & Half performs just as admirably, delivering a wonderfully smooth and satisfying result without the added richness. In fact, I’ve experimented with fat-free Half & Half on several occasions, and each time, the outcome has been nothing short of fantastic. This substitution offers a slightly lighter quiche experience without compromising on the luxurious texture and incredible flavor that makes this dish so beloved. So, if you’re looking to enjoy a delicious bacon and cheese quiche without the intensity of heavy cream, Half & Half is an excellent, reliable choice that won’t disappoint.
Save This Recipe! Pin It For Later!
If this delectable Bacon & Swiss Quiche has already captured your culinary imagination and you’re eager to try it, make sure you don’t lose track of this fantastic recipe! Take a moment to pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you navigate away. That way, it’ll always be just a click away when you’re ready to whip up this creamy, savory masterpiece for your next meal or gathering!
How to Make Crustless Bacon and Swiss Quiche: A Lighter Alternative
For those who prefer a lighter option, or simply don’t have a pie crust on hand, making a crustless bacon and Swiss quiche is a perfectly viable and equally delicious alternative. You absolutely don’t need a crust to enjoy the rich, savory flavors of this dish. The process is remarkably straightforward: simply pour the prepared quiche ingredients directly into a pie dish or an oven-safe baking pan.
Before pouring, make sure to lightly spray your pie dish with cooking spray or wipe it with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking. The baking time for a crustless quiche is very similar to its crust-bound counterpart. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the center is mostly set, with just a slight, almost imperceptible jiggle. This lighter version offers the same comforting flavors while catering to different dietary preferences or simply offering a quick, hassle-free preparation method.
Choosing the Best Types of Swiss Cheese for Making Quiche
While “Swiss cheese” is a broad term encompassing a vast array of dairy delights, most people are familiar with the style known as Emmentaler. This iconic semi-hard cheese, distinguished by its characteristic holes and slightly fruity, nutty, and subtly funky flavor, is an excellent choice for quiche. Its meltability and robust taste perfectly complement the savory bacon and eggs, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor.
However, the world of Swiss cheese offers far more than just Emmentaler, with over 450 distinct styles to explore. You can certainly experiment with other varieties to tailor the quiche to your personal preference. For instance, Gruyère, another fantastic Swiss cheese, offers a more intense, earthy, and sweet flavor that works wonderfully in quiche. Appenzeller, with its spicier notes, or even a milder Tilsiter could provide interesting variations. The choice largely depends on the flavor profile you desire, but rest assured, cheese making is indeed a profoundly important and cherished tradition in Switzerland, offering a wealth of options for your culinary adventures.
Resting Your Quiche: The Key to Perfect Slices
After your delicious quiche emerges golden and fragrant from the oven, it’s tempting to dive right in. However, allowing it a proper resting period is a critical step for achieving beautifully set slices and preventing a runny mess. The exact resting time can vary slightly depending on the ambient room temperature and how quickly your cooling rack dissipates heat, but typically, you’ll want to let your quiche cool for about 10 to 20 minutes.
During this crucial resting phase, the internal temperature of the quiche will stabilize, allowing the creamy custard to finish setting up completely. This ensures that when you slice into it, each piece will hold its shape perfectly, presenting a neat and appealing cross-section of its savory layers. Patience is a virtue here, as a little waiting yields a much more enjoyable and picture-perfect quiche experience.
Can I Make the Quiche Filling the Night Before? Absolutely!
Preparing this Bacon & Swiss Quiche ahead of time is not only possible but highly recommended, especially when you’re planning for a special occasion like Christmas morning or a busy brunch. Prepping components the night before significantly cuts down on morning-of stress, allowing you to enjoy your time with loved ones without being tethered to the kitchen.
Here’s how I often tackle it: I whisk the egg and Half & Half mixture and store it covered in the fridge. Separately, I prepare my pie crust by lining the pie plate and covering it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. I also cook and crumble the bacon, finely chop the onion, and shred the Swiss cheese, storing each component in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. This method ensures all your ingredients are fresh and ready to go.
While you can prepare the ingredients, I highly advise against assembling the quiche into the crust or pie mold until you are ready to bake. The reason is that the wet egg mixture can make the pie crust soggy if left to sit too long. On baking day, simply remove all your prepped ingredients from the fridge about 15-30 minutes before you plan to bake, allowing them to come closer to room temperature. Then, assemble your quiche just before placing it into the preheated oven. This make-ahead strategy ensures a fresh, perfectly baked quiche with minimal effort on the day you plan to serve it.
More Great Brunch Ideas to Elevate Your Weekend
Brunch is undeniably one of the most enjoyable meals, offering the perfect blend of breakfast and lunch favorites. Whether you lean towards sweet breakfast pastries or savory lunch-inspired dishes, the key is to make it relaxed and indulgent. Ensure you have some festive mimosas ready and, ideally, eliminate the need to wake up at the crack of dawn for extensive preparation. Here are some more delightful brunch recipes to inspire your next leisurely weekend feast:
- **Ham & Smoked Gouda Quiche:** A rich and flavorful quiche featuring the smoky goodness of gouda cheese and savory ham, perfect for a hearty brunch (pictured above).
- **Green Chile Quiche with Sausage:** For those who enjoy a little kick, this quiche combines zesty green chilies with savory sausage for a Tex-Mex inspired delight.
- **Reuben Quiche:** A unique twist on a classic sandwich, this quiche brings together corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing flavors.
- **Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cake with Brown Butter Glaze:** A seasonal favorite, this moist coffee cake is infused with warm pumpkin spices and topped with a decadent brown butter glaze.
- **Dutch Oven Brunch Bake Sausage Casserole:** A hearty and convenient one-pot meal, combining sausage, eggs, and cheese, ideal for feeding a crowd.
- **Banana Bread Coffee Cake:** The comforting flavors of banana bread meet the delightful crumb topping of coffee cake in this irresistible treat.
- **Southwestern Sausage Brunch Roll Ups:** Flaky crescent rolls filled with a spicy sausage and egg mixture, perfect for grab-and-go brunch bites.
- **Sausage and Crescent Breakfast Bake:** An easy and delicious casserole featuring savory sausage and buttery crescent rolls.
- **3 Cheese Crustless Asparagus Quiche:** A light yet flavorful crustless quiche highlighting fresh asparagus and a blend of three cheeses.
- **How to Cook Bacon in the Oven:** A helpful guide for perfectly crispy bacon every time, essential for many brunch recipes.
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Print Recipe
Bacon and Swiss Quiche
That French favorite comes to your table effortlessly and with a sensational presentation that will wow your guests! But don’t wait for company, quiche makes a perfect weeknight meal with a light salad, too!
15 mins
45 mins
1 hr
Equipment
- Zyliss Comfort Utility Knife
- Ceramic Pie Dish, 10-Inch
Ingredients
- 12 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup onion minced
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups half & half
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- Pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C).
- Line a deep-dish pie plate with your chosen pie crust (homemade or store-bought).
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, half & half, salt, and sugar together until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Evenly place the crumbled bacon, minced onion, and shredded Swiss cheese into the pie crust.
- Carefully pour the whisked egg mixture over the ingredients in the pie crust.
- Bake at 425 degrees F (220°C) for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, reduce your oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150°C) and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until the quiche is golden brown and mostly set in the center.
- Allow the quiche to rest for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This resting period helps the custard to fully set.
- Garnish with fresh scallions or chives if desired for an extra touch of color and flavor.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on May 27, 2011. It was updated to improve user experience and reshared on December 21, 2020.