Sometimes an idea hits you and you think “I am a genius!” Then you google it and discover a lot of people have done it before. So maybe I’m not a genius, but it doesn’t matter! This simple Quiché with a crispy hash brown crust is delicious. It looks stunning, is super versatile and my family thinks I’m a genius for making it! So really, that’s all that matters, right? ;-)
The only drawback to this Quiche recipe is the length of time it takes to prepare. You don’t want to do this for a quick weekday dinner (like I did! We ended up eating very late!) but it’s perfect for a weekend brunch with your favorite people.
I love dishes that are flexible and this one has endless possibilities. Anything you put into an omelette, can be used in this Quiche. Next time, I want to try crumbled italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers with onions and sharp cheddar. You could use Spinach and Gruyère! Get creative! Fill it with your favorite vegetables for a meatless version. I think asparagus and leeks would be fabulous. Use different cheeses. Add your favorite spices to the crust. Whatever you’d like!
I’d love to see what you come up with, so when you make it, please share! I’m looking forward to reading all about it!
Enjoy Foodie Friends! XOXO
Quiche with a Hash Brown Crust
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter melted, divided in half
- 1 package 1 pound frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 4 oz diced Pancetta
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 TBLS minced fresh oregano
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp coarse ground Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush a 9-by-2 1/2-inch springform pan with 2 TBLS melted butter. Line the sides of the pan with strips of waxed paper, brush paper with butter too. Be generous on the bottom of the pan so the potatoes don’t stick. If you don’t have a springform pan, don’t worry, it works just as well in a 9″ pie pan and then you don’t need the wax paper.
- Squeeze as much excess moisture from hash browns as you can. The hash browns should be as dry as possible so the crust will get crispy. In a large bowl, mix thawed, drained hash browns with remaining butter, 1 egg, salt and pepper. Press hash brown mixture onto bottom and up the sides of your prepared pan. Press firmly to mold the potatoes against the edges. Place on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until set and the edges of the hash browns are lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, in a small skillet, sauté the pancetta until it’s crispy. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Do not discard the bacon fat! Put red onions and garlic in the same skillet and sauté in the bacon fat until the onion is soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the remaining eggs and milk, then add the rest of the ingredients. Pour into prepared crust. Bake until set, 45 to 50 minutes. When it’s done, let it sit for 5 minutes, unmold Quiché, and peel off waxed paper before serving.
Sorry I’m so late to the party but had to finally write & tell you how wonderful this quiche is. Your recipe is so versatile. I’ve made it countless times including Mexican-flavored adding taco seasoning to the hash browns, roasted peppers, green chilies & Mexican Blend cheese. Served with sour cream & slices of avocado. I’ve also made a ham & asparagus quiche with Gruyere cheese. Served with hollandaise (everything is better with hollandaise, don’t you think?). YUMMY!! Thank you Sara.
I JUST MADE A QUICHE USING BACON, ONION (SAUTED IN BACON FAT, ALONG WITH A JAR OF ARTICHOKES. FOR CHESSE I USED GUYERE AND A MIXTURE OF JACK AND CHEDDAR. GREAT COMBO.
Sounds delicious!
I think you made a typo . Marcie from Greece asked if if grated was the same thing as hash browned for your Great recipe!
Hash cut is shredded not grated.But you know what?Now that I think about it kinda sounds like a good twist to your recipe.
Like a type of potato pancake quiche.what do you think of that idea?!?!Do you think it could be modified to try,I am not too swell at cooking so maybe in the future make it for us so we can try it with your expertise.Thanks for all your great past goodies looking forward to more.I like it especially cause you really make everything so easy to follow and for myself it is truly much needed..have good day or night, wherever you may be.
Pat Sulek
Hi Pat! Thank you so much for the comment. You are correct, grated and shredded are different, with grated being almost powdered and not the long lovely strands of potato pieces you would want with this recipe. I like the idea of a potato pancake quiche. Now I will have to put on my thinking cap and see what I can come up with! :-)
That looks sooo fabulous! I really would love to try this, the only problem is its just hubby and I… we cant eat that much lol Is there any way this can be sized down for 2? How long the baking time might be? Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe :D
Hi Michelle! Great question! Let me do some research on smaller sizes for this quiche. It’s great for a family brunch, but I do understand wanting it smaller for the two of you.
I’m going to make this for Christmas. If I make it the night before, how do you suggest I reheat it?
Hi Leslie! I’ve never made it the night before, so I’m going to suggest 350 degrees for at least 30 minutes to heat it all the way through. I’d start checking at 20 minutes though, just to be safe. Happy Christmas!
Wondering if this dish could be frozen…
Hi Olga! I honestly don’t know. I’ve never tried to freeze it.
Yes you can freeze it like you can freeze anything that has been pre cooked thaw out before reheating.
Could this be made ahead?
Yes! The night before would be just fine.
How many does this serve – say with a fruit salad and a muffin?
It will serve 8 easily. You could stretch it to 10 by cutting the quiche into smaller pieces too. Enjoy!
I live on a Greek island where there’s no such thing as “hash browns” – is that just grated potato ?
Hi Marcia! Yes, that’s exactly it! Which island do you live on?
Yes no problem
Can I leave out the pancetta? I’m a vegetarian.
Hi Mary! Yes, of course! Feel free to leave it out or add more vegetables! Enjoy!