Ham and Cheese Frittata

Frittata is the unsung hero of brunch. This versatile baked egg dish can be made with any meat, any vegetable and any cheese, so it’s a great way to use up leftover odds and ends from the refrigerator. Here, we fold salty ham and sharp cheddar cheese into a fluffy egg and cream base. This ham and cheese frittata is ideal for a holiday brunch, and is portable enough to take on the road with other picnic brunch recipes.

Although it’s typically served for breakfast, frittata doesn’t have to be relegated to the morning hours. This frittata recipe is packed with cheesy goodness, so it’s savory enough to serve for lunch or dinner.

Ham and Cheese Frittata Ingredients

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• Eggs: Seasoned with salt and pepper, eggs are the foundation of frittata. They add structure and hold the other ingredients together.
• Half-and-half cream: It’s important to use full-fat dairy to create a perfectly fluffy frittata. You can use heavy cream or half-and-half cream (as we do in this recipe). Whole milk works in a pinch, but avoid low-fat or nonfat milk, which can make the frittata runny.
• Ham: Pick up sliced ham from the deli, or use leftover ham. This frittata tastes particularly good with leftover glazed ham, like bourbon-glazed ham or glazed ham steaks.
• Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar brings out the ham’s sweetness, so the two are a natural pairing. Of course, you can use any melting cheese in frittata, like Swiss, Gruyere, provolone or mozzarella.
• Onion: We saute an onion in butter to add a lightly crunchy, slightly sweet component.
• Parsley: Garnish the frittata with parsley to give it a fresh finish.

Directions

Step 1: Make the egg mixture

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Preheat the broiler. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, salt and pepper.

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Stir in the ham and 1-1/2 cups of the cheese.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t overbeat the eggs, or they might take on a rubbery texture. Mix them just enough to blend the whites and yolks.

Step 2: Cook the onion

In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion. Cook and stir until tender, two to three minutes.

Step 3: Add the egg mixture

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Reduce the heat to low and pour in the egg mixture.

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Cook the frittata, covered, for six to eight minutes or until the eggs are nearly set.

Step 4: Broil the ham and cheese frittata

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Sprinkle the frittata with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese. Broil the frittata 3 to 4 inches from the heat until the eggs are completely set, three to four minutes. Let it rest for five minutes before cutting it into wedges. Garnish the frittata with parsley.

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How do you know when frittata is done?

Shaking the pan is the best way to know when a frittata has finished cooking. The edges should be firm, and the middle should have a slight jiggle. If you’re unsure how to tell when the eggs are set, use a meat thermometer. Remove the frittata from the broiler when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Recipe Variations

• Add vegetables: Cook garlic or chopped bell peppers with the onion to add color and flavor to this frittata. Or add cooked vegetables like mushrooms, spinach or tomatoes. Raw vegetables can make the frittata watery, so use recipes like crustless spinach quiche or tomato quiche for guidance on how to cook vegetables for a frittata.
• Make mini frittatas: For a make-ahead snack or a grab-and-go breakfast, use this recipe to make mini frittatas in a muffin tin.
• Include herbs: Cut through the salty ham and cheese by adding fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the egg mixture. Or garnish the finished frittata with chopped chives.

How to Store Ham and Cheese Frittata

Store leftover ham and cheese frittata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Place a piece of parchment paper between each slice to keep the slices from sticking to one another.

Can you freeze ham and cheese frittata?

You can freeze a ham and cheese frittata whole so it’s ready to go for your next brunch party, or you can freeze the slices individually. Either way, freeze frittata in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Reheat the frittata from frozen in a 350° oven until it’s warmed through.

Ham and Cheese Frittata Tips

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How do you keep ham and cheese frittata from sticking?

To prevent the frittata from sticking to the pan, use all the butter called for in the recipe and choose the right pan. You want a pan that can be started on the stovetop and be moved to the oven to finish, but you also want it to have a nonstick finish. Cast iron is a good choice because you can season a cast-iron skillet to reduce the chances that the eggs will stick.

What is the difference between a quiche and a frittata?

Quiche and frittata are very similar, but quiche has a custard-like texture from the higher ratio of cream to eggs. Frittata recipes use lower amounts of dairy to give them a texture closer to that of an omelet. Frittatas are always made without a crust, but that’s not necessarily a differentiator. Quiche is normally baked in a pie crust, but some of our best quiche recipes are crustless.

How do you make sure frittata turns out fluffy?

Frittata gets its fluffy texture from full-fat dairy, whether that’s whole milk, heavy cream, sour cream or ricotta cheese. It’s not wise to substitute low-fat milk or cheese, as they’re not creamy enough to create a fluffy frittata. It’s also important to avoid overbeating the eggs. Overmixing incorporates too much air into the egg mixture, which will cause the frittata to expand too quickly in the oven. That leads to a dense, rubbery frittata instead of a fluffy one.

What do you serve with ham and cheese frittata?

Serve ham and cheese frittata as part of a brunch spread with hash brown potatoes, a savory Dutch baby or breakfast parfaits. For lunch or dinner, pair frittata with a side salad or roasted vegetables like roasted asparagus.