Crustless quiche is easy to make, keeps well, and can be reheated all week. In this vegetarian crustless quiche recipe, I used spinach and sliced mushrooms, but it’s so easy to adapt. Use what you have on hand and serve low-carb, gluten-free crustless quiche for breakfast, lunch, or even a light dinner.
Let me start by saying I have zero qualms when it comes to crust on quiche. One of my favorite recipes on the site is Asparagus Quiche made with whole wheat flour. It’s just that I don’t always want the mess that comes with making the crust and with so many dietary restrictions in the world, making crustless quiche is an easy way to make sure everyone is cared for and I keep my sanity.
This spinach and mushroom crustless quiche recipe is both vegetarian and gluten-free, but it’s so easy to adapt to your personal preferences. I have used this recipe as a base and swapped in broccoli, cheddar, and diced ham, or for a summery version tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and feta are delicious. I’ve even been known to make the most of roasted vegetables by transforming the leftovers into quiche. Really when it comes to crustless quiche anything goes.
Table of Contents
Ingredients in this Crustless Quiche Recipe
Just a dozen ingredients (including salt and pepper) and this crustless quiche is the oven. Quiche is endlessly flexible. Not a mushroom fan? Just leave them out? A simple spinach quiche is pretty good too.
- Eggs are the key to creating a delightfully fluffy and creamy texture adding richness and binding all the ingredients together.
- Whole milk lightens the eggs and is lower in calories and saturated fat than the more commonly used heavy whipping cream.
- Fontina cheese has a smooth and nutty profile I like with mushrooms, but you could also swap it for mozzarella or goat cheese, a couple of favorites of mine.
- Olive oil not only adds a touch of healthy fat but also helps the crustless quiche release from the pie plate. Olive oil is the fat of choice in the Mediterranean diet so I use it in place of butter any chance I get.
- Baby spinach leaves are such an easy way to add a few extra vegetables to your diet.
- Sliced mushrooms are a natural source of Vitamin D and according to the National Library of Medicine, “… Mushrooms [could] be the only non-animal, unfortified food source of vitamin D that can provide a substantial amount of vitamin D2 in a single serving.” I eat mushrooms because they taste great, but it doesn’t hurt to know they are also a good source of Vitamin D.
- Yellow onion provides a subtle sweetness that balances out the other ingredients.
- Garlic, onions, and mushrooms are like a flavor-boosting dream team.
- Thyme is one of my all-time favorite spices. In the summer when my garden is growing, I will use fresh thyme, in the winter dried. Either will work in this recipe.
- Kosher salt plays a fundamental role in enhancing and balancing flavors while black pepper provides a subtle heat.
- Balsamic vinegar adds a slight tang infusing the crustless quiche with a unique depth of flavor and a delightful balance of acidity. When I was a teenager, my friend’s mom used to make us mushrooms on toast, and it was loaded with garlic and balsamic vinegar. I added it to this recipe to pay homage to her. If you don’t have balsamic vinegar you can leave it out. The recipe will still taste great.
How to Make Crustless Quiche
This crustless quiche recipe really couldn’t be any easier. I make it because I don’t always want to bother with making a pie crust, but it’s great for friends who are gluten-free or watch their carbs.
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush a 9-inch pie plate with olive oil and set it on a baking sheet.
- Whisk the eggs and cube the cheese: In a large bowl, aggressively whisk together the eggs and milk. Cube the Fontina cheese and set aside.
- Prepare the vegetables: Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the mushrooms, onion, and minced garlic. Sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper. Cook until the mushrooms shrink and the onions are translucent, about 10 to 15 minutes depending upon the size of your mushrooms. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the vegetables and stir, cooking for another minute or two. Add the spinach, and stir until wilted, this should take about 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Combine: Add the cooked vegetables to the pie plate, sprinkle with the cubed cheese, and pour the egg mixture over the top. It should be full up to the rim. Carefully transfer the baking sheet to the oven.
- Bake: Set the timer for 35 minutes and bake until the center is set. Let cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.
How to Adapt this Recipe
We have quite a few egg recipes at The Mediterranean Dish because eggs are an affordable protein and are endlessly adaptable. Here are some of my favorite ways to keep my crustless quiche recipe fresh:
- Summer Crustless Quiche: When my garden is exploding with fresh vegetables I like to swap the mushrooms and spinach with 1 cup of sweet corn kernels, a handful of cherry or grape tomatoes, and a little goat cheese. It’s one of my favorite combos.
- Keep things simple: Spinach crustless quiche is great. Skip the balsamic vinegar and mushrooms in this recipe, add a 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and an extra cup of baby spinach.
- Loaded Mushroom Crustless Quiche: Skip the spinach, double the mushrooms, but mix them up! Use a combination of oyster mushrooms, porcini mushrooms, and cremini mushrooms. We kind of have a thing for mushrooms around here. We like Marinated Mushrooms, Mushroom Pasta and we even put mushrooms in soup.
- Italian-inspired Quiche: Take a page out of our Breakfast Strata recipe and load this crustless quiche recipe with roasted red peppers, prosciutto, spinach, 1 teaspoon of Homemade Italian Seasoning, and a mixture of cheeses like parmesan and chèvre.
Make it a Meal
On Sundays, I usually make a couple of salads that keep well in the fridge and about once or twice a month, I make this mushroom and spinach crustless quiche (or some quiche variation) to go with the salads. Then eat it for lunch or breakfast all week long.
It’s an easy way for me to make sure I get a decent, whole meal without a lot of effort. If left to my own devices I will snack. However, it’s also a great recipe for brunch or casual Saturday morning get-togethers.
Pair crustless quiche with a nice Fruit Salad loaded with fresh summery berries in the warmer months or for extra vegetables try it with Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad or this herby Greek Salad called, Maroulosalata. All the salads will last for days in the fridge, which makes mealtime a breeze.
If salad isn’t your thing quiche goes well with soup too. Try it with this, Healthy Potato Soup or this rich and hearty Vegetable Stew.
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Crustless Quiche with Spinach and Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 ounces Fontina cheese or mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups packed baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush a 9-inch pie plate with olive oil and set it on a baking sheet.
- Whisk the eggs and cube the cheese: In a large bowl, aggressively whisk together the eggs and milk. Cube the Fontina cheese and set aside.
- Prepare the vegetables: Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil to the skillet. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper. Cook until the mushrooms shrink and the onions are translucent, about 10 to 15 minutes depending upon the size of your mushrooms. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the vegetables and stir, cooking for another minute or two. Add the spinach, stir until wilted, this should take about 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Combine: Add the cooked vegetables to the pie plate, sprinkle with the cubed cheese, and pour the egg mixture over the top. It should be full up to the rim. Carefully transfer the baking sheet to the oven.
- Bake: Set the timer for 35 minutes and bake until the center is set. Let cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
- Any of our olive oils will work in this recipe. My favorite is the Spanish Hojiblanca because it has a nice peppery finish.
- Crustless quiche is endlessly versatile. Experiment with what you have on hand, broccoli, grape tomatoes, and even thinly sliced potatoes work beautifully with eggs.
I made this for breakfast, and it is a keeper!
So glad you loved it, Barb!
I use fresh thyme, feta and guoda cheese. It comes out great everytime. Thanks for the recipe.
I am making this for a morning meeting. Can I make it ahead and refrigerate it? How should I reheat it?
Hi, JoAnne! I’m Summer and work here at The Mediterranean Dish. You can make it the night before and refrigerate it or you can assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning before you leave for work. Quiche is great at room temperature, you can reheat it in a low oven — about 300°F for about 20 minutes or just pop it in the microwave for a few minutes, test it then add another minute or so. Enjoy.
I also made it with what i had on hand. Kale, broccoli and Jack cheese. Sooo delicious! I’ll be making it at least once a month 🥰
Can you use fresh mozzarella pearls? Or does that add too much liquid?
Hi, Emily. We’ve never tried this one with mozzarella pearls before, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. If you’re concerned about the moisture, you can always pat them dry a bit.
If doing 3x the recipe, what size pan should be used?
Hi, LB — I’m Summer and I wrote the recipe, and I haven’t tried making this recipe in a larger pan so I can’t be certain without testing. However, if you can, I would just bake it in 3 pie pans. If not, then maybe a 9×13 and possibly an 8×8 baking dish. It will take longer to cook in a 9×13 for the center of the quiche to cook. I would only fill a 9×13 about 2/3 way full and use the 8×8 for any spill over. Good luck!
One question: mine was a little weepy. Is there a way to avoid that?
Hi, Liz! What do you mean by “weepy”?
I’m trying to eat more vegetables and I couldn’t face another spring greens salad with chicken. Been wanting to try a crust less quiche. Well my oh my! This was delicious! Thank you so much!
You are very welcome, Liz! So happy you enjoyed it!
I love this recipe and have made it several times. I change up the cheeses, depending on what I have on hand. The balsamic vinegar is key in this recipe.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and review, Julie!
Just wondering, can I use heavy cream instead of whole milk? I have that but I only use almond milk not whole milk.
Hi, Joyce! I’m Summer and I wrote this recipe. Yes, you can use heavy cream. It will be very rich and lovely. I would reduce the amount by 1/4 cup. Enjoy!
Disappointing. Followed recipe exactly and top was going to burn so took it out and inside soggy,
Great flavors and easy to make. I love it for Brunch with a fruit plate.
So glad you enjoyed it, Marla!
Excellent. Made mine with low fat mozzarella. Enjoyed it most served cold with a salad.
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed it!
“EGGS-CELLENT” Love the mushroom-spinach combination. Balsamic is a surprise ingredient, but not to be eliminated. Served for Sunday brunch (today). “licked the platter clean”… Thanks Suzy, from The Mediterranean dish.
Ha! Thanks so much, Elaine!
This was wonderful. At least five stars, but as said, use what you have. It may not be the same recipe but it rocked! I had gouda cheese and shredded parmesan I put on top. I had farmers market spinach, sweet strawberry onion (was told they grow with strawberries so they draw that sweet), poblano peppers, and some sweet red peppers, garlic, eggs and egg whites too. Mine came beautiful like a pie. I got those throwaway aluminum dishes with cover from Dollar Tree and so getting them out was easy. Bend the edges out a little, put a plate on top and flip it. Next time I will arrange the veggies like a happy face or design. One I added crushed red pepper flakes. Excellent and you can change how you make it each time. Thank you for an easy gourmet dish. Great to snack on or serve at a fancy gathering.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review and share your adaptions!!
Vary flavorful. I will leave out the Basalmic next time. The egg mixture came out a bit grainy. I wondered if the vinegar curdled the milk. Tasted fine. I also used half the thyme. That is just my personal preference. I was wondering how soon in advance I could make this for Easter brunch.