Savory Veggie Quiche with Crispy Potato Crust
This Savory Veggie Quiche with Crispy Potato Crust is a delightful twist on the classic quiche that your family will adore! Taking a healthier spin, this recipe features a golden potato crust that is both satisfying and full of flavor without the heavy calories of traditional pie crusts. Bursting with an array of fresh vegetables such as vibrant broccoli, sweet red bell pepper, and aromatic onions, every bite is a delicious celebration of wholesome ingredients. The addition of creamy reduced-fat cheddar and savory vegetarian bacon adds richness while keeping the fat content low. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner, this quiche is as versatile as it is tasty. Pair it with a refreshing side of sliced melon for a stunning and balanced meal everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen hash brown potatoes
16 ounces (thawed or mostly thawed)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for greasing and sautéing)
Onion
1 small (chopped)
Red bell pepper
1/2 (chopped)
Broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups (fresh)
Carrot
1/2 cup (shredded (optional))
Vegetarian bacon
5 slices (cooked and crumbled)
Reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Large eggs
5 (beaten)
Evaporated skim milk
1 cup (2/3 of a can)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, press the thawed hash brown potatoes into a lightly oiled large deep dish pie pan, ensuring an even layer. Use a second glass pie plate to compact the potatoes into a crust shape.
3
Bake the potato crust in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are starting to turn golden brown.
4
While the crust is baking, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and red bell pepper until the onions become translucent, then remove from heat.
5
In a separate pot, steam the broccoli florets and optional shredded carrots until slightly tender, about 5 minutes, or microwave them for 2 minutes with a splash of water until tender.
6
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and evaporated skim milk until combined.
7
Once the potato crust is removed from the oven, sprinkle 2/3 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the crust.
8
Layer the sautéed onions and bell peppers evenly on top of the cheese, followed by the steamed broccoli and carrots.
9
Crumble the cooked vegetarian bacon over the top of the vegetables, filling the dish generously.
10
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the veggie layer.
11
Carefully pour the egg and milk mixture over the assembled layers in the pie pan.
12
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, or until the egg is cooked through and the quiche is firm. Place a cookie sheet underneath to catch any spills.
13
Allow the quiche to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Veggie Quiche with Crispy Potato Crust?
It is a healthier twist on traditional quiche using a golden potato crust instead of a heavy pastry crust, filled with fresh vegetables and vegetarian bacon.
Is this quiche suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it uses vegetarian bacon and fresh vegetables, making it a vegetarian-friendly meal.
What are the main ingredients in the crust?
The crust is made from 16 ounces of thawed frozen hash brown potatoes and a bit of olive oil.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long should I bake the potato crust initially?
Bake the potato crust for 10 to 15 minutes until the edges start to turn golden brown.
What vegetables are recommended for the filling?
The recipe uses chopped onions, red bell pepper, broccoli florets, and optional shredded carrots.
How do I prepare the broccoli and carrots?
Steam them for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 2 minutes with a splash of water until tender.
What liquid is mixed with the eggs?
One cup of evaporated skim milk is whisked with the eggs.
How many eggs does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 5 large beaten eggs.
What type of cheese is used in this quiche?
Two cups of shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese are used.
How do I assemble the layers of the quiche?
Start with a layer of cheese on the baked crust, then add sautéed veggies, steamed veggies, crumbled vegetarian bacon, more cheese, and finally the egg mixture.
How long does the assembled quiche bake?
The quiche should bake for 45 minutes or until the egg is cooked through and the quiche is firm.
How long should I let the quiche cool before serving?
It is recommended to let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
How can I prevent the potatoes from sticking to the pan?
Ensure the large deep dish pie pan is lightly oiled before pressing the hash browns into it.
What is a good side dish for this meal?
A refreshing side of sliced melon pairs perfectly for a balanced meal.
Can I use fresh hash browns instead of frozen?
The recipe specifies frozen hash browns that have been thawed or mostly thawed.
How do I get an even layer for the crust?
Press the potatoes into the pan and use a second glass pie plate to compact them into a crust shape.
How should the onions and peppers be cooked?
Sauté them in olive oil over medium heat until the onions become translucent.
Is this recipe considered low-fat?
Yes, it uses reduced-fat cheddar, evaporated skim milk, and a potato crust to keep the fat content lower than traditional quiches.
How many slices of vegetarian bacon are needed?
The recipe calls for 5 slices of cooked and crumbled vegetarian bacon.
Why should I place a cookie sheet under the pie pan?
A cookie sheet underneath helps catch any potential spills while the quiche is baking.
Can I omit the carrots?
Yes, the shredded carrots are listed as an optional ingredient.
Is this recipe good for brunch?
Absolutely, it is described as perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
What is the benefit of using evaporated skim milk?
It provides a creamy texture while maintaining a lower fat content compared to cream or whole milk.
How much cheese goes on the bottom layer?
Approximately 2/3 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese is sprinkled over the crust before the vegetables.
What type of bell pepper is used?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 of a red bell pepper, chopped.
How should the vegetarian bacon be prepared?
It should be cooked and then crumbled before being added to the quiche.
Is this recipe easy for families?
Yes, it is tagged as a family-friendly and one-dish meal.
What if I don't have a deep dish pie pan?
A large deep dish pie pan is recommended to hold all the layers and the egg mixture securely.
Is the crust crispy?
Yes, the potato crust is designed to be golden and crispy.