Frittatas come together so easily. With just a few ingredients and a pan, you’ll get a breakfast worth slicing into. This Frittata Recipe is so versatile and you can change it up depending on what you have on hand (see all of the variation options below).
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
What is a Frittata?
A Frittata is an Italian egg dish that tastes similar to a Quiche (minus the crust, so it’s naturally gluten-free). To me, it’s more like an open-faced Omelette that is baked in a cast-iron pan and so simple to make! It typically contains a variety of meats, vegetables, and cheeses for a simple and excellent one-pan breakfast.
Base Frittata Recipe
Egg breakfast recipes are so wholesome and perfect for breakfast, from Poached Eggs to Breakfast Quesadillas and Breakfast Burritos. We love getting creative with these egg frittatas. Whether it’s a busy weekday morning or you’re hosting a brunch, all you need to do is pop this frittata in the oven.
You can make just about any frittata variation starting with these basic ingredients and it’s easy to scale up and down (i.e. if using a 12-inch pan, use 8 eggs):
- Eggs – the main ingredient of a frittata
- Heavy cream – adds moisture and richness to the egg base
- Salt – a simple seasoning is all you need
- Butter – to grease the pan and keep the frittata from sticking
- Cheese – we love mozzarella and goat cheese together
Frittata Variations
Now for the fun part. Frittatas are so versatile and forgiving that you can mix and match different toppings and ingredients to get your perfect breakfast.
- Cheese: What kind of cheese is best for frittata? You can’t really go wrong with: goat cheese, feta cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar (sharp cheddar is a favorite), and brie all work great.
- Veggies: Red bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, onions, asparagus, tomatoes, garlic, leeks, eggplant, shallots, and jalapenos.
- Potatoes: You can cook potatoes in the cast iron pan before adding the rest of the ingredients, just follow our Hashbrowns Recipe instructions for the potatoes.
- Bacon: Bits of crispy bacon add a nice salty bite. Try Baked Bacon or Air Fryer Bacon to crisp it up then chop and sprinkle it over the quiche.
- Leafy Greens: Arugula, spinach, kale, collard greens, swiss chard, endive, and beet greens.
- Dairy Options: Heavy cream is the best option here, but you can also use half-and-half or full-fat milk (reduce to 1/4 cup if using milk). If you don’t have whole milk, adding a little sour cream, yogurt, or crème fraîche will do the trick.
- Herbs: Parsley, chives, dill, or basil. You can also make it spicy by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.
How to Make Frittatas
Making a frittata is as simple as it gets for a hearty and healthy breakfast in no time.
- Whisk together eggs, heavy cream, and salt.
- Chop veggies – dice your tomatoes and bell peppers.
- Butter your cast iron pan and add veggies.
- Pour over the egg mixture, top with cheese, and bake.
What is the Best Pan for Frittatas?
Use a cast-iron pan or oven-safe pan between 9 and 10 inches in diameter to get the perfect-sized slice so your frittata doesn’t spread too thin on the skillet. A cast iron pan is great because it can go from the stovetop to the oven if you want to pre-cook any fillings before pouring over the eggs.
How do you know when a frittata is done?
It’s important not to over-bake your frittata or it will seem rubbery and dry. Check early to avoid overcooking. Here are some tips to know when your frittata is done baking:
- Set center: Bake until the edges and center are no longer jiggly, and the top is lightly golden.
- Temperature: If you have an instant-read thermometer, bake until the internal temperature of the frittata reaches 160˚F.
- Knife test: when you insert a knife into the center, it should come out clean with some moisture. If you see the wet egg mixture clinging to the knife, continue baking.
Once you have a great Frittata base, there are so many possibilities to change it up and keep it exciting. Let me know your favorite toppings and add-ins in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
Make-Ahead
Making a frittata in advance is perfect for meal prep or for when you are hosting a large brunch spread and want to make things ahead. I think a frittata tastes best freshly baked but it does keep well in the fridge and freezer.
- To Refrigerate: Cool the baked frittata to room temperature, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, or transfer slices to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Freshly made or refrigerated frittata works best as not every variation of frittata works well for the freezer. Veggies like tomatoes and avocado do not freeze well. Be sure to fully thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating or it may end up wet and rubbery.
- To Reheat: You can microwave a single slice until warmed through. If reheating in the pan, cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 350˚F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
If you love this frittata, these top-rated breakfast recipes will get you excited to wake up in the morning.
Best Frittata Recipe (Easy Oven Method)
Frittatas are so easy with just a few ingredients. This one-pan breakfast Frittata Recipe is extremely versatile with endless variations.
Prevent your screen from going dark
-
Preheat the oven to 400F. Whisk eggs, heavy cream and salt until you get a smooth and even texture. Set aside.
-
Cut tomatoes in half. Chop bell peppers into small pieces.
-
Melt butter and coat the sides of the baking dish with it. Spread vegetables and greens evenly on the bottom of the pan.
-
Pour over the egg mixture. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Using a fork, distribute the cheese around a little to incorporate it into the eggs. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the edges and center are set and the top is golden. The internal temperature of the frittata should reach 160˚F on a thermometer.
Variations:
- Cheese: You can’t really go wrong with: goat cheese, feta cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar (especially sharp cheddar), and brie.
- Veggies: Red bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, onions, asparagus, tomatoes, garlic, leeks, eggplant, shallots, and jalapenos.
- Potatoes: You can cook potatoes in the cast iron pan first before adding the rest of the ingredients; just follow our Hashbrowns Recipe then pour the egg mixture over.
- Bacon: Bits of crispy bacon add a nice salty bite.
- Leafy Greens: Arugula, spinach, kale, collard greens, swiss chard, endive, and beet greens.
- Dairy Options: Heavy cream is the best option here, but you can also use half-and-half or full-fat milk (reduce to 1/4 cup if using milk). If you don’t have whole milk, adding a little sour cream, yogurt, or crème fraîche will do the trick.
- Herbs: Parsley, chives, dill, or basil. Try a pinch of red pepper flakes to add spice.
273kcal Calories3g Carbs14g Protein23g Fat
Nutrition Facts
Best Frittata Recipe (Easy Oven Method)
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
