The Foolproof Ratio to Make an Easy Frittata Any Time (2024)

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Emma Christensen

Emma Christensen

Emma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

Andrea Rivera WawrzynAssociate Food Editor, The Kitchn

Andrea is the Associate Food Editor at The Kitchn. She is a lifelong chef and full-time clog enthusiast. Her passions include grabbing more books at the library than she can read in the time allotted and the relentless pursuit of the perfect burrito. She lives in Salem, MA with her husband and two cats.

updated May 14, 2024

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As long as you have a few vegetables and some eggs on hand, you can have a frittata on the table in about 20 minutes.

Serves4 to 6

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Frittatas have saved me on more hungry weeknights than I care to count. The Italian egg dish is similar to a crustless quiche but less custardy and rich — more similar is texture to an omelet. It’s made on the stove and finished in the oven.

As long as I have a few vegetables and maybe a little meat to throw in a skillet, I can have a frittata on the table in about 20 minutes. There is nothing better than diving into a plate of steaming veggie-filled eggs, like cheesy spinach frittata, when you’re home late and starving. Here’s how to make an easy frittata.

Quick Overview

Easy Formula For a Frittata

To make a great frittata, remember:

  • 6 eggs
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup cheese
  • 2 cups veggies and/or meat

This ratio will get you a frittata with a hearty filling and a creamy egg custard texture. You can easily double this amount for a larger frittata, or halve it for a smaller one.

Why You’ll Love It

  • It’s the perfect lazy meal. Making a frittata is as simple as chopping up some veggies, shredding some cheese, and whisking eggs in a bowl.
  • You can use ingredients you already have. Frittatas are super flexible. There’s not really a “right” way to make them. The method I describe here is what consistently works for me, but I have no doubt that you will make tweaks of your own once you head into the kitchen.
  • It cooks in one pan. All of the ingredients can be mixed in one bowl and then transferred to one pan to cook. If you need to cook your frittata fillings, use the same pan you plan to cook the frittata in.

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. This will get you a frittata with a hearty filling — especially if you’re using something like potatoes and bacon — and a creamy egg custard shot through with the tang of cheese.

We do recommend a cast iron or oven-safe nonstick skillet. Stainless steel pans will also work, but you’ll need extra oil to make sure the eggs don’t stick to the pan. If you’re making a larger frittata, you may need to use a baking dish.

Frittata Inspiration

If you’re looking for some specific ingredient combos, these are some of our favorites.

  • Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Frittata with cheddar cheese, tater tots, red bell peppers, and baby spinach.
  • Chile and Sausage Oven Frittata with Italian sausage, Monterey Jack cheese, and diced green chiles.
  • Cheesy Mushroom Frittata with mushrooms, scallions, and Gruyere cheese.
  • with asparagus, leeks, prosciutto, and crumbled goat cheese.

What to Serve with a Frittata

One frittata makes plenty for four to six people with a side salad or other steamed vegetable, and more than enough for two. The leftovers are nearly as good as frittata straight from the oven. I like to eat a wedge on top of a piece of toast for an easy lunch. And while I mostly rely on frittatas as a quick-fix dinner, they are wonderful for a hearty breakfast any day of the week, too.

Frittatas are everything to love about a quiche without the fuss of a crust. A simple whisk of eggs and dairy poured over sautéed veggies (and/or meat) and you have a dish you can serve any time of day. Kitchn’s original frittata post was more a formula and less a recipe — like the choose-your-own adventure books we read as kids, there was a list of suggested fillings and a wide range of amounts offered for egg, dairy, and seasoning.

Although this approach has served readers well, in this update we share our favorite iteration of the dish (let’s just say there are potatoes, bacon, spinach, and cheese involved!). Use 6 eggs to 1/4 cup heavy cream for a tender, creamy custard. This streamlined recipe will make it easier to execute and experiment.


Patty Catalano, March 2018

Comments

Frittata Recipe

As long as you have a few vegetables and some eggs on hand, you can have a frittata on the table in about 20 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the eggs:

  • 4 slices

    thick-cut bacon (about 8 ounces, optional)

  • 2

    small Yukon gold potatoes

  • 2 cloves

    garlic

  • 1 small bunch

    fresh thyme

  • 4 ounces

    Gruyère, Fontina, or cheddar cheese (optional)

  • 6 to 8

    large eggs

  • 1/4 cup

    heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt, divided

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 cups

    baby spinach (2 ounces)

Equipment

  • 1

    (10- to 12-inch) nonstick ovensafe frying pan or cast iron skillet

  • Spatula

  • Chef's knife

  • Mandoline with hand guard (optional)

  • Whisk

  • Medium or large bowl

  • Vegetable peeler

Instructions

Show Images

  1. Prep the ingredients. Dice 4 slices thick-cut bacon if using. Peel and thinly slice 2 small Yukon gold potatoes. Mince 2 garlic cloves. Pick the leaves from 1 small bunch fresh thyme until you have 2 teaspoons. Grate 4 ounces Gruyère, Fontina, or cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater if using (about 1 cup).

  2. Heat the oven. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.

  3. Whisk the eggs and cream together. Place 6 to 8 large eggs (use 6 if using bacon and cheese), 1/4 cup heavy cream, and 1/2 teaspoon of the kosher salt in a medium or large bowl and whisk to combine.

  4. Cook the bacon. Place the bacon in a cold 10- to 12-inch nonstick ovensafe frying pan or cast iron skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. (If not using bacon, heat 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet, then proceed with adding the potatoes).

  5. Saute the potatoes in bacon fat. Return the pan to medium heat. Add the potatoes and season with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes.

  6. Wilt the spinach with the garlic and thyme. Add the garlic, thyme, and 2 cups baby spinach. Cook, stirring often, until the spinach wilts, 30 to 60 seconds. Return the bacon to the pan and stir to evenly distribute.

  7. Add the cheese. Spread the vegetables into an even layer. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top. Let cook until just starting to melt.

  8. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cheese. Tilt the pan to make sure the eggs settle evenly over all the vegetables. Cook until the eggs at the edges of the pan are just beginning to set, 1 to 2 minutes.

  9. Bake the frittata for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven. Bake until the eggs are set, 8 to 10 minutes. To check, cut a small slit in the center of the frittata. If raw eggs run into the cut, bake for a few minutes more. For a browned, crispy top, turn on the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.

  10. Cool and serve. Let the frittata cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Filed in:

Breakfast

Cheese

dinner

easy

Eggs

Gluten-Free

The Foolproof Ratio to Make an Easy Frittata Any Time (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.

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 kind of cheese is best for frittata? ›

For a standard 12-egg frittata, stir in about one cup (shred it first). Want to top the eggs with cheese, too? Shoot for ¼ to ½ cup more. If it's an oozing texture you're after, pick cheeses that have superior melting quality: "This is your cheddar, gruyère, and fontina," says Perry.

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.

What is the easiest way to learn ratio? ›

To make sure ratios are well-explained, give children as many examples from real life as possible. This will make it easier for them to understand the concept. Examples can be found in all parts of life, from cooking to sports. We use ratios daily, even if we don't notice.

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.

What is the difference between a frittata and a crustless quiche? ›

A frittata, sometimes called a crustless quiche, has no crust, and you can bake it directly in a pan or skillet. 2. The filling: A quiche is a custard tart, but a frittata contains less dairy. The filling in a quiche follows the ratio of one large egg to one-half cup of dairy.

What is the best pan for frittata? ›

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.

How to tell when frittata is done? ›

Cook the frittata in the oven just until the centre is no longer wobbly and the edges are golden-brown. If still unsure, place a knife into the centre of the frittata. If raw eggs run out, keep cooking. You want the eggs to be just set as the frittata will keep cooking while it's standing.

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 do you make a frittata not soggy? ›

If meat and vegetables figure into your frittata, cook them in the pan before you add your eggs—and I leave mine ever so slightly underdone. That way, they don't get soggy when they keep cooking in the oven (and I tend to like my vegetables with a little “bite” anyway, but it's a personal preference).

When making a frittata, which ingredient should be pre-cooked prior to adding it to the egg mixture? ›

Tough vegetables like potatoes, squash and onions need to be pre-cooked since they will not have time enough to soften before the eggs are done. Raw meats such as bacon and sausage also need more time and heat to cook through safely, so get them prepped before your other ingredients.

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

Why is my frittata soggy on the bottom? ›

One reason your frittata is soggy, is that an ingredient you used had water or other liquid that was released when cooking the frittata. One solution, is to drain all ingredients first before mixing, or to reheat the ingredients seperately, until the liquid is removed.

What are 2 rules to remember when cooking eggs? ›

If you apply too much direct heat, the egg will overcook, causing the sauce to break and curdle. Over-boiling an egg is another common mistake. Going a few minutes too long will draw out the iron and sulfur, turning the yolk into a nasty grey color with a green ring.

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.

How to know if frittata is done? ›

Cook the frittata in the oven just until the centre is no longer wobbly and the edges are golden-brown. If still unsure, place a knife into the centre of the frittata. If raw eggs run out, keep cooking. You want the eggs to be just set as the frittata will keep cooking while it's standing.

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