How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (2024)

Learn how to make a frittata with this simple guide + 5 recipe variations! Perfect for any meal from brunch to dinner, they're easy and delicious.

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How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (1)

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (2)

A frittata is my #1 favorite brunch item to make at home. It’s easy and versatile, so I thought with Easter coming up this weekend, you may like a frittata recipe idea… or five! I usually make my frittatas with whatever vegetables I have on hand, which means that I’ve tried a whole bunch of various combinations over the years. Below are a few of my favorites along with some tips.

First things first though, you may be asking… what is a frittata? Some call a frittata a crustless quiche (although, I call a quiche a crust-full frittata). It’s an egg-bake filled with yummy vegetables, herbs, and a bit of cheese. If you’re not a savory breakfast person, it’s a quick weeknight dinner option.

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (3)

How To Make A Frittata

Frittatas are so simple to make! Here’s how:

  1. Choose a recipe variation below, and start by whisking together the frittata base: a simple mixture of eggs, almond milk (or any milk), garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Then, sauté your veggies in a 10 or 12-inch cast iron skillet just until tender.
  3. When the veggies are ready, stir in any spices or herbs before adding the eggs. Pour in the frittata base, and shake the pan gently to distribute it among the vegetables.
  4. Sprinkle your frittata with cheese and transfer the pan to a 400-degree oven.
  5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is lightly golden around the edges.
  6. Allow the frittata to cool slightly before slicing and devouring!

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (4)

Frittata Recipe Variations

Part of the fun of a frittata is getting creative with your vegetable and herb combinations. Here are 5 of my favorites!

  1. Broccoli & Feta (pictured above)
  2. Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach
  3. Spring Veggie with Asparagus
  4. Mixed Mushroom & Tarragon
  5. Caprese, with Cherry Tomatoes & Basil

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (5)

Frittata Tips

Follow these tips and tricks to make an A+ frittata every time:

  • Spread your veggies evenly throughout the pan before pouring in the eggs.Once you pour the egg mixture in, you won’t be moving the vegetables around much (or you’d end up with scrambled eggs!), so make sure the veggies are spaced evenly in the pan to get a final frittata with veggies in every bite.
  • Change it up!Play around with these flavor combinations. If you try swapping in different herbs or vegetables, keep in mind that a good veggie:egg ratio is about 1/4 cup of veggies per egg, or 2 heaping cups of vegetables for 6-8 eggs.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet.The best choice for making frittatas, cast iron skillets can safely go from stovetop to oven, and they conduct heat well and evenly. Seasoning a cast-iron pan gives it a non-stick quality, so a well-seasoned skillet will result in the easiest slicing & serving. I like to use anenameled cast iron skillet, which does not require any pre-seasoning. If you don’t have a skillet, go make this breakfast casserole recipe instead.
  • Safety first! Don’t forget that when the cast iron skillet comes out of the oven, the handle will remain hot for a while – I’ve learned this the hard way multiple times. Place a kitchen towel on it to remind yourself not to grab it before it cools off. You can also get one of these silicone handle covers.

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Frittata Serving Suggestions

If you’re serving your frittata as part of a bigger brunch, mimosas, classic french toast, banana bread, pancakes or muffins, French toast, baked oatmeal, overnight oats, blueberry scones, or fruit salad would all be great choices to go with it.

To dress up individual slices, top them with additional fresh herbs or serve with sliced avocado, dollops of lemony yogurt, or scoops of pesto, pico de gallo or tomatillo salsa.

For a weeknight dinner, I like to serve my frittata with a kale salad and some good bread.

Please let me know what your favorite frittata recipe variations are in the comments. Enjoy!

For more healthy breakfast ideas check out this post!

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (7)

Frittata Recipe, plus 5 Variations

rate this recipe:

4.98 from 212 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Serves 3 to 4

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Here is a basic frittata recipe plus 5 easy & delicious vegetable frittata variations.

Equipment

Ingredients

Basic Frittata Recipe:

Variation #1: Broccoli Feta (pictured)

Variation #2: Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach

Variation #3: Spring Veggie

Variation #4: Mixed Mushroom & Tarragon

  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 12 ounces mixed mushrooms, chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped tarragon
  • cup grated pecorino cheese

Variation #5: Caprese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  • Whisk the eggs, almond milk, garlic, and salt until well combined. Set aside. Follow the instructions to make one of the vegetable variations below:

  • Broccoli Feta:

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions, broccoli, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender but still bright green, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the smoked paprika, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Sprinkle with the feta and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach:

    Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the roasted red peppers and spinach. Sauté until the spinach is wilted, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Sprinkle with the feta and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Spring Veggie:

    Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions, asparagus, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is tender but still bright green, about 5 minutes. Add the peas, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Add the mozzarella and feta and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Mixed Mushroom & Tarragon:

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, stir, and cook until soft and tender, about 8 minutes, stirring only occasionally. Stir in the tarragon, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Sprinkle with the pecorino and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Season to taste and serve.

  • Caprese:

    Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, half the basil, stir, then add the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Add the mozzarella and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Top with the remaining basil. Season to taste and serve.

How to Make a Frittata - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

What is the frittata ratio to memorize? ›

The Frittata Ratio to Memorize

So how do you make a great frittata every time without always using a recipe? The answer is a ratio. For every six eggs, use 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup cheese, and 2 cups total of vegetables and/or meat.

What is the frittata formula? ›

The Frittata Formula

Frittatas are incredibly simple. For every six large eggs, you'll want to mix in ¼ cup of milk or cream, ¼ cup of cheese, and about 3 cups of meat or vegetables. The small amount of milk and cheese keeps the eggs soft and creamy and the meat and vegetables give you endless options.

What kind of cheese is best for frittata? ›

Crumbled Feta Cheese: I love the creamy, salty tang of feta, but a shredded hard Italian cheese, such as parmigiano reggiano or pecorino romano, would also be delicious in this Mediterranean-inspired frittata.

How do you keep frittata fluffy? ›

Beat eggs until just blended: Overbeating the eggs invites too much air in to the egg mixture. As the frittata bakes, the eggs will expand and puff up. That can leave them with a spongy texture that's dry and unappealing. You want to combine the eggs well, but stop once everything is fully incorporated.

What is the golden ratio for frittata? ›

You forget to use the golden ratio when you're making a frittata on the fly. An easy recipe to remember is 6 large eggs, ¼ cup of dairy, and 1-2 cups of add-ins like vegetables, meat, cheese, and herbs.

How to tell if frittata is done? ›

The eggs should be cooked through, not runny and a knife should come out clean when inserted into the centre. You can also give the skillet a gentle shake to determine if it is done; a runny frittata will jiggle when you shake the skillet.

What is the best pan for frittata? ›

Use a cast-iron skillet.

The best choice for making frittatas, cast iron skillets can safely go from stovetop to oven, and they conduct heat well and evenly. Seasoning a cast-iron pan gives it a non-stick quality, so a well-seasoned skillet will result in the easiest slicing & serving.

What makes a frittata so different from an omelet? ›

While it's similar to an omelet, crustless quiche, and Spanish tortilla, the way a frittata is cooked is what sets it apart. Frittatas are generally thicker than omelets. A frittata is made with the exact same ingredients as an omelet, but here, the milk, or more preferably, cream, is crucial.

Do you add milk to frittata? ›

The Basic Frittata
  1. 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
  2. 2 cups chopped vegetables of your choice onions, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, etc...
  3. 8 large eggs.
  4. salt & pepper to taste.
  5. 1/3 cup milk any type (or water)
  6. 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Aug 15, 2017

Should you flip a frittata? ›

Pre-seasoning the eggs with salt helps them retain moisture during cooking. Cooking the vegetables in batches gives us more control over their texture. Keeping the cheese in large chunks gives us oozy pockets in the frittata. Flipping the frittata ensures a creamy, dense center.

How jiggly should a frittata be? ›

When you pour in your eggs, let the frittata set for a couple of minutes on the stovetop. Then keep an eye on it when it's in the oven, and take it out when it's still a touch jiggly—not quite creme brulee-level jiggly, but when the top is a still a tiny bit shaky, get that frittata out of the oven and serve it warm.

What are 2 rules to remember when cooking eggs? ›

Here are some tips for making the most delicious eggs out there — no matter how you like your eggs cooked.
  1. Use water to see if your stainless steel pan is hot enough. ...
  2. Use a sufficient amount of fat to prevent sticking. ...
  3. Allow hard-boiled eggs to cool before removing shells.
Oct 17, 2022

What is the ratio of number of eggs to tablespoons of milk in scrambled eggs or omelet? ›

To make scrambled eggs for two, you'll need 4 to 6 eggs, 4 to 6 tablespoons of milk (figure 1 tablespoon of milk for every egg), and salt and pepper to taste. Chopped fresh parsley and other herbs add flavor and visual appeal, but they're completely optional.

When determining how many eggs to use in a frittata generally? ›

Final answer: For a frittata, generally, 2 eggs per person are considered sufficient.

What do you remember when cooking eggs? ›

6. Take them off the heat before they're done cooking... Eggs are delicate, and they cook very quickly. Similar to cooking steaks, remove them from the heat right before they're fully cooked — the residual heat from the pan will continue to cook them.

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