This Elegant Ricotta and Spinach Quiche is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something refined yet completely comforting. With a creamy ricotta base, vibrant spinach, and a golden flaky crust, it’s a beautifully balanced savory pie that works for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even a light dinner. It looks impressive on the table, but it’s surprisingly easy to pull together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What I love most about this quiche is how versatile and rewarding it is. The combination of mild, rich ricotta and delicate spinach creates a velvety filling that’s both satisfying and fresh. Whether I’m hosting a brunch or need a quick dinner that feels elegant, this recipe delivers every time.
- Rich and Creamy: The ricotta makes the filling extra smooth and creamy without feeling heavy.
- Flaky Crust: That buttery crust adds a nice contrast to the silky interior.
- Simple Ingredients: I often already have everything on hand, and there’s very little prep involved.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s elegant enough for entertaining, yet easy enough for a weekday meal.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 cup ricotta cheese
3 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
a pinch of nutmeg
Directions
- I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and roll out my pie crust to fit a 9-inch quiche dish. I gently press it into the dish and prick the bottom with a fork. Then I pre-bake it for 8 minutes and set it aside.
- In a skillet, I heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft and translucent—about 5 minutes. Then I add the chopped spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted. I set the pan aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, I whisk together the ricotta, eggs, heavy cream, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg until the mixture is smooth.
- I stir in the cooled spinach and onion mixture.
- I pour the filling into the pre-baked crust and smooth it out evenly.
- I bake the quiche for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set. I let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6–8 slices.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Variations
- Cheese Options: I sometimes swap in part of the ricotta for feta if I want more tang, or cottage cheese for a lighter texture.
- Add Protein: Cooked bacon, pancetta, or diced ham are great additions when I want something heartier.
- Crustless: I occasionally skip the crust and pour the filling directly into a greased pie dish for a low-carb version.
- Extra Veggies: Mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or artichokes all pair beautifully with the base flavors.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use a 350°F oven until warmed through, which keeps the crust crisp. For longer storage, I freeze slices individually and reheat directly from frozen or after thawing overnight in the fridge.
FAQs
Can I make this quiche ahead of time?
Yes, I often make it a day in advance and simply reheat it before serving. It also tastes great at room temperature.
How do I know when the quiche is done?
I look for a golden top and a firm center that no longer jiggles when I gently shake the pan.
Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, I’ve used thawed frozen spinach—just make sure it’s well-drained and squeezed dry to avoid excess moisture.
Is this quiche suitable for vegetarians?
Absolutely. As long as the cheese is vegetarian-friendly, this dish contains no meat.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
I’ve used half-and-half or whole milk in a pinch. It still works, but the filling won’t be as rich and silky.
Conclusion
This Elegant Ricotta and Spinach Quiche is a favorite for its creamy texture, refined flavor, and ease of preparation. Whether I’m setting the brunch table for guests or making myself a luxurious weeknight dinner, it always feels like a little celebration. Once you try it, I’m sure it’ll find a regular spot in your rotation too.
PrintElegant Ricotta and Spinach Quiche
This Elegant Ricotta and Spinach Quiche is a creamy, savory pie with a flaky crust and delicate filling made from ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, eggs, and Parmesan. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner, it’s a refined yet easy-to-make dish that brings comfort and elegance to any table.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6–8 slices
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired, Vegetarian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out pie crust into a 9-inch quiche dish, prick bottom with a fork, and pre-bake for 8 minutes. Set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted, 1–2 minutes. Let cool.
- In a bowl, whisk together ricotta, eggs, heavy cream, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Stir in cooled spinach-onion mixture.
- Pour filling into pre-baked crust and smooth evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes, or until top is golden and center is set. Let rest before slicing.
Notes
- You can substitute some ricotta with feta for tang or use cottage cheese for a lighter texture.
- For a crustless version, bake the filling in a greased pie dish.
- Frozen spinach works well—just thaw and squeeze dry.
- Add cooked bacon, ham, or vegetables like mushrooms or peppers for variety.
- Tastes great warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 120mg