Brunch or dinner, this frittata is one of the easiest meals ever! Throw in whatever meat, cheese or veggies that you like.
Frittata Recipe: The Easiest Meal Ever
Truly, this is the easiest meal ever. It will take you about 15 minutes from start to finish.
So, what’s a frittata? It’s the Italian version of an omelet, but it is served open-faced. The base is eggs, but you can add whatever you like – meats, chicken, veggies, cheese.
Yes, we all love a quick, easy meal on a weeknight. But really, there are only so many times you can pop open a can of Campbell’s Chunky before your family threatens mutiny. Even though you’re just whipping up an egg dish, you can tell them that they are eating an Italian specialty. Start quoting the Godfather and you’ll have them convinced. However, I suggest that you avoid discussions about horse heads at the dinner table.
Preheat the broiler. Crack 8 eggs into a large bowl. Whisk well. Try to whisk in an upwards, circular motion so that you get plenty of air into the mixture. Fluffy eggs.
Good action shot, huh?
Add 3/4 cup milk and whisk again.
Slice ham, or whatever filling you choose, into thin strips. Grate about 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Any cheese will do. A smoked cheese, such as Gruyere, cheddar, or mozzarella, would be lovely.
Heat an ovenproof skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray and melt about 1 tbsp of butter in the skillet. If you use cooking spray, you don’t have to use so much butter. However, I can’t bear to leave out the butter altogether because it adds flavour. Besides, the French have been using plenty of butter for centuries and look how skinny those …um…sweet, lovely ladies are. Whew, almost said something undiplomatic about those Parisian beauties (all stemming from insane jealousy, of course). Serves them right…acting so smug about that “French Women Don’t Get Fat” book.
Once the butter melts, add the egg mixture. As the eggs cook, pull up the sides of the frittata, letting the uncooked egg run down to the pan. Seasoning the frittata with salt is optional. It depends on how salty your toppings are.
Once about 3/4 of the frittata is cooked – there will be a layer of uncooked egg on top – sprinkle your toppings over the frittata.
Put the the skillet in the oven, under the broiler. Broil for about 2 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is just starting to brown.
Look at how beautiful and puffy (official culinary term) the eggs are! Actually, it looks like one of those Rorschach test. Look into the eggs and tell me what you see. Matt Damon taking his shirt off and looking at me longingly…oh…are you still here? I mean, I see a cute little puppy dog.
Gently loosen the frittata with a spatula. Lay a cutting board over the skillet and invert it so that the frittata falls out onto the board. Cut into wedges and serve, topping side up, with a salad and toast.
Clean-up tip: Despite the nonstick finish, cooking spray, and butter, I usually get some egg sticking to the bottom of the pan. Go to a cooking store and find one of these great little plastic tools to scrape off the excess. Works like a charm!
Frittata Recipe with Ham
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- 3/4 cup low fat milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 6 slices ham chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk. Add the milk and whisk again.
- Heat an ovenproof, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray and melt butter in the pan. Add the eggs. As the eggs cook, lift the edges of the frittata so that the uncooked egg can run down to the pan. Once about 3/4 of the frittata is cooked, sprinkle on the toppings.
- Place the pan in the oven, under the broiler, for about 2 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the cheese is just starting to brown.
- Gently loosen the frittata with a spatula. Place a cutting board over the pan and then invert the pan so that the frittata falls out onto the cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve immediately.
Nutrition
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Virginia
i've made frittatas before with roasted red onion and aspargus and then gruyere cheese. it was AMAZING.
Anonymous
I tried this last night and it was so easy and delicious. I used red pepper, chopped canned artichokes, and parmesan cheese. It was a big hit with my family. The post was right – it took me about 15 or 20 minutes.
Dara
Hi Marta,
It’s good to hear from you. The potatoes on the frittata sound great. I think they call that a tortilla in Spain, right? I’ll have to try that next time. We’d love to hear about your new little one. I’ll get your email address from K.
Anonymous
Hi Dara! Just had frittata for dinner friday night. Used the egg from our blown colored eggs we made this week. In spain they add potato so I like to add that with the veggies and cheese.
I want to try the spring rolls!
hi to all of you
marta
Dara
Let me know if you find other topping combos that work well. Enjoy it!
Anonymous
Just when I thought I had nothing to make for breakfast, I happen upon this super simple, yet super tasty meal idea! Thanks!