Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

There’s something quietly impressive about a quiche that holds its shape and still tastes rich and custardy. I didn’t always get that balance right. Mine were either too eggy or too dry.

Ina’s version, with just enough cream and a touch of cayenne, changed that.

Here’s how I make it now—flavorful, firm, and never fussy.

The Game-Changer Step

Blind-baking the crust makes all the difference. If you skip it, the bottom turns soggy—and there’s no coming back from that. Ina doesn’t always specify it, but trust me: a quick 8–10 minutes in the oven before the filling goes in sets the base and gives you that flaky, buttery layer you want under the custard.

Also: cayenne. It’s just an eighth of a teaspoon, but it rounds the richness with the tiniest bit of heat.

What I Used (And Why)

  • 12 slices bacon – Crispy, salty, and essential. I’ve tried pancetta—doesn’t hit the same.
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese – Melts beautifully. Gruyère is Ina’s go-to if you want to level it up.
  • ⅓ cup minced onion – Adds sweetness and depth. I cook it down gently for better texture.
  • 1 (9-inch) prepared pie crust – Store-bought is fine, but blind-bake it or it’ll be mush.
  • 2 cups light cream – Rich, but not heavy. Heavy cream works too (a little more indulgent).
  • 4 large eggs, beaten – The structure of the custard. Don’t overbeat—you want it silky.
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp sugar, ⅛ tsp cayenne – Balanced seasoning. Cayenne sharpens the edges.

Making It Yours

Swaps That Actually Worked:

  • Gruyère instead of Swiss – Ina-approved and more nutty.
  • Half-and-half instead of light cream – Slightly lighter, but still creamy enough.
  • Caramelized leeks instead of onion – Tried it once. Incredible with the bacon.

Lessons From My Oven

What Went WrongWhy It HappensHow to Fix It
Crust was pale and soggyDidn’t blind-bake itBake crust at 375°F for 10 min before filling
Center didn’t setOven temp dropped too lowKeep steady temp; bake on center rack
Overbrowned top, undercooked baseFilling too full and oven rack too highLeave a ½” gap from the top; bake in lower-middle rack

How to Make Ina Garten’s Quiche Lorraine

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Cook the bacon until crisp, then drain and chop.
  3. Sauté the onions gently in a little of the bacon fat—just until soft.
  4. Blind-bake the crust: prick with a fork, cover with parchment and weights, and bake 10 minutes at 375°F. Cool slightly.
  5. Fill the crust with bacon, cheese, and onions.
  6. In a bowl, whisk together cream, eggs, salt, sugar, and cayenne until smooth.
  7. Pour the custard over the fillings.
  8. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 300°F and bake for 30–35 more, until set at the edges but just a bit wobbly in the center.
  9. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine
Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

Tips I Always Use

  • Use a metal pie pan if you have one—it conducts heat better and helps the crust stay crisp.
  • Cool the bacon fully before adding—it won’t weep into the custard.
  • Room temp eggs and cream mix more easily and bake more evenly.
  • Let it sit—cutting into a hot quiche makes it fall apart.

Leftover Notes

  • Fridge: 3–4 days in a sealed container.
  • Freezer: Wrap well and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
  • Best Reheat: Slice, wrap in foil, and warm in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes.

Pairs beautifully with:

  • Arugula salad with mustard vinaigrette
  • A crisp rosé or dry Riesling
  • Cold green bean salad with shallots and lemon

Reader Qs Answered

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes—and it’s better that way. Bake it the night before, cool completely, and reheat gently before serving.

Q: Can I use store-bought crust?
A: Absolutely. Just be sure to blind-bake it so the bottom holds up.

Q: How do I know when it’s done?
A: The edges will be puffed and golden, and the center will jiggle just slightly. It finishes setting as it rests.

Try More Recipes:

Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time:1 hour Rest time: 10 minutesTotal time:1 hour 15 minutesServings:8 servingsCalories:761 kcal Best Season:Suitable throughout the year

Description

Savory, creamy quiche with crisp bacon, Swiss cheese, and a tender custard—perfect for brunch or make-ahead lunches.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook bacon until crisp; drain and chop.
  2. Sauté onion in bacon fat until soft.
  3. Blind-bake crust at 375°F for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  4. Layer bacon, cheese, and onion into crust.
  5. Whisk cream, eggs, salt, sugar, and cayenne. Pour over filling.
  6. Bake 15 min at 425°F. Reduce to 300°F, bake 30–35 min more.
  7. Rest 10 min before slicing. Serve warm or at room temp.
Keywords:Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine