Amazing 55-Minute Ham and Cheese Quiche

Oh, my friends, do you ever look at leftover holiday ham and just sigh? Don’t you dare throw those bits away! I’ve figured out the absolute best use for them, something that brings such immediate comfort here in busy New York—it reminds me a little bit of the quiet satisfaction of a meal prepared perfectly back home in Kyoto. We’re talking about the easiest, most comforting ham and cheese quiche you will ever make. Seriously, if you need an easy brunch idea or just a wonderfully satisfying savory breakfast pie for a quiet morning, this is it. It’s rich, creamy, and just waits for you patiently while it bakes. If you have extra ham and want to use it up another way, check out my creamy ham salad recipe! You are going to love how simple this quiche is.

Why This Ham and Cheese Quiche Recipe Becomes a Family Favorite

Amaya and I believe a recipe is only worth keeping if it works without fail, especially when you are rushing for a holiday morning quiche. This ham and cheese quiche is exactly that: dependable, comforting, and impossibly good considering how little effort it takes. It’s truly the hero of any brunch spread!

• It turns simple leftovers into something elegant and delicious.
• The texture of the custard is always creamy perfection.
• It’s the perfect foundation for a wonderful savory breakfast pie.

Perfect for Using Leftover Ham

That little bit of smoked ham left over from dinner shouldn’t have to go into soup! This quiche welcomes diced ham beautifully. It soaks up just enough of the rich custard while keeping its smoky flavor intact. It’s wonderful how one ingredient can transform into a completely new, exciting meal.

Simple Assembly for a Savory Breakfast Pie

We know you often have many things cooking at once, especially on weekends. That’s why we love that this entire bake only takes 55 minutes total! If you want even more quick breakfast inspiration, take a look at our other ideas for an easy brunch idea. Using a quality store-bought crust saves us precious time.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Quiche

To make this classic ham cheese quiche recipe, you just need a few straightforward components. Don’t stress about making your own dough; we encourage using a store-bought crust to keep things simple! If you have leftover ham, you can even check out my recipe for ham and cheese sliders later! Every piece counts toward a perfect slice of savory goodness.

• 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
• 1 cup cooked ham, diced
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

I always insist on sharp cheddar because that little bit of tang cuts through the richness of the cream beautifully. If you are feeling ambitious after reading this, by all means, try a homemade crust—but today, we stick to the store-bought one for speed! Also, using heavy cream instead of just milk makes the custard far silkier, trust me on that one.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Ham and Cheese Quiche

Now that we have all our beautiful ingredients ready, the assembly is quick, I promise! We are aiming for that wonderful, evenly flavored slice of ham and cheese quiche every single time. We need patience only at the very end when it cools. This recipe follows the timeline of a very simple cream cheese sausage balls recipe—fast assembly, quick bake.

Preparing the Crust and Filling Base

First thing: get your oven warmed up to 375 degrees F. While it’s heating, place your unbaked 9-inch pie crust right into the dish. Think of this as laying the foundation! Next, we scatter. Evenly distribute your diced ham across the bottom of the crust first. Then, sprinkle that sharp cheddar cheese right on top of the ham layer. Make sure you cover the whole bottom—we want full coverage so every single bite of your ham and cheese quiche gets that cheesy, hammy goodness!

Creating the Custard and Baking the Ham and Cheese Quiche

In a separate bowl, whisk together those eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and just a tiny, tiny pinch of nutmeg. Whisk until everything is cheerful and well combined—no streaks allowed! Now, slowly, carefully, pour this liquid egg mixture over the ham and cheese base in the crust. Go gently so you don’t push the fillings around too much. Bake this for about 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Don’t skip the final step, though: let it cool for at least 10 minutes on a rack before slicing. That rest time is crucial for a perfect set!

Tips for the Best Ham and Cheese Quiche Baking Experience

Listen, I once rushed a quiche because I was excited to try it fresh out of the oven. What did I get? A wobbly center that deflated immediately! Since then, I learned that prevention is everything for a beautiful ham and cheese quiche. The number one thing you must do to avoid a soggy bottom, especially when using a store-bought crust, is to bake the crust empty for about 10 minutes before adding any filling. This is called blind baking, and it firms up the base!

Also, make sure your eggs and dairy are thoroughly whisked—that nutmeg has to be evenly dispersed, or you get little pockets of spice. If your custard seems too firm right at the edge but slightly wet in the exact middle, don’t panic! Just turn the oven down by 25 degrees and let it finish slowly. This gentle setting process ensures you get that rich, creamy texture we all want in this ham and cheese quiche recipe. If you love that buttery flavor, you might also enjoy my recipe for buttermilk scones!

Serving Suggestions for Your Ham and Cheese Quiche

When this beautiful, savory breakfast pie comes out of the oven, it deserves some lovely company on the plate! Since the quiche itself is so rich with ham and cheese, I always lean toward something bright and light to balance things out. A simple bowl of fresh mixed greens dressed with a bright lemon vinaigrette is just heavenly.

For a true brunch spread, consider adding a platter of fresh strawberries or segments of sweet orange. It’s amazing how well fruit complements the smoky ham. If you are serving this on a busy holiday morning, this crunchy cabbage salad is also a fantastic, fuss-free side dish that everyone enjoys!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Ham and Cheese Quiche

Oh, the best part about making a big batch? Eating it later! This ham and cheese quiche stores beautifully, which is why it’s such a reliable meal to have on hand. Once it’s completely cool, wrap any remaining slices tightly in plastic wrap, and then foil, or place them in an airtight container. It keeps perfectly in the refrigerator for about three days.

When you want to enjoy it again—and trust me, you will—reheating is key! For the best texture, skip the microwave if possible. Pop your slice onto a baking sheet and cover it loosely with foil. Heat it in a 350-degree oven for about 12 to 15 minutes. That gently warms the custard back up without making it rubbery. This makes for a fantastic quick lunch! If you love baked dishes with ham, you might also love my scalloped potatoes and ham recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ham Cheese Quiche Recipe

It’s natural to have a few questions when you try a new recipe, especially for a special meal like a holiday morning quiche. We’ve gathered the ones we hear most often so you can bake with confidence! If you have extra soup made with ham bones, check out my simple split pea soup recipe. We want your experience making this recipe to be perfect.

Can I make this ham and cheese quiche recipe ahead of time?

Oh, absolutely, this is a fantastic make-ahead dish! For the easiest morning, you can assemble the entire quiche—crust, ham, cheese, and liquid custard—the night before. Cover it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator. In the morning, just pull it out about 30 minutes before baking to take the chill off, and bake as directed. It’s a lifesaver when putting together a big brunch!

What type of cheese works best in this easy brunch idea?

Sharp cheddar is my first pick because its strength truly shines through the creamy filling. However, if you want to add a layer of nutty sophistication to your easy brunch idea, try swapping out half of the cheddar for Gruyère cheese. Gruyère melts beautifully and adds a wonderful depth of flavor without being too sharp. Just avoid anything too soft or fresh, like mozzarella, as it can release too much water during the bake.

Nutritional Estimates for This Savory Breakfast Pie

Now, dear friends, while we cook from the heart and focus on flavor above all else, I know some of you are balancing meals carefully. Amaya and I like to keep track of what we eat, especially when we are adjusting to life here in New York! Please remember that these numbers are just estimates based on the standard ingredients listed in our ham cheese quiche recipe. If you use a different crust or a fattier cream, your totals will shift a bit.

We calculate these estimates based on serving size being one slice (yields 6 servings). Having this information on hand is just another way of caring for the people you are feeding. If you are looking for something lighter overall, you might want to peek at our cottage cheese egg cups—they are wonderful too!

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 350
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 550mg

Share Your Perfect Ham and Cheese Quiche Creation

We honestly cannot wait to hear how your ham and cheese quiche turned out! Cooking is sharing, after all. Please leave a rating below and tell us in the comments if you added anything special. If you share a picture on social media, tag us so we can see your beautiful work! We are so grateful you joined us in our kitchen today. Happy baking! You can always find more stories and recipes on our main blog page.

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