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This egg-packed delight blends rich ham flavors with gooey cheese in a flexible dish you'll want for your morning meal, midday feast, or evening dinner. The airy eggs act as the base for melted cheese and tasty ham chunks, all coming together with hardly any fuss.
I whipped up this frittata the first time when friends dropped by for an unplanned breakfast. They couldn't stop talking about it even though it was so easy to throw together, and now it's what I make whenever I need something that looks fancy but doesn't take much work.
What You'll Need
- Salted butter: builds a tasty foundation and keeps everything from getting stuck
- Yellow onion: brings a gentle sweetness when cooked down
- Large eggs: forms the main body and adds protein I always let mine sit out first for extra fluffiness
- Whole milk: makes everything nice and smooth don't skimp with low-fat kinds
- Salt and pepper: basic must-haves that wake up all the tastes
- Shredded cheddar cheese: delivers that stretchy bite and bold flavor grate it yourself for better melting
- Diced ham: throws in hearty meat chunks that work perfectly with the cheese leftover holiday ham works great here
- Fresh chives or parsley: not required but adds a pop of color and fresh taste
Easy Cooking Method
- Get the oven hot:
- Turn your oven to 425°F and wait till it's completely warmed up. Put the rack right in the middle so everything cooks evenly.
- Cook the flavor base:
- Put butter in a 10 to 12inch pan that can go in the oven and melt it over medium heat until it bubbles. Throw in your chopped onions and let them cook for 57 minutes until they turn clear and get slightly golden edges. Taking your time here makes everything taste better.
- Mix in the meat:
- Add your ham bits and let them cook with the onions for 23 minutes. This lets the ham flavor spread around and gives the edges a bit of crunch for different textures.
- Mix your eggs:
- In a big bowl whisk your eggs and milk really well until you can't see any separate egg whites anymore. This step makes sure your frittata has the same texture throughout. Add salt and pepper while you're mixing.
- Add the cheesy goodness:
- Stir the cheese into your egg mix gently but make sure it's spread out evenly. You might want to save a bit for sprinkling on top later.
- Start the cooking:
- Pour everything into your hot pan with the ham and onions. Use a spatula to lightly mix once or twice so everything's spread out nicely. Let it sit for just one minute until you notice the edges starting to firm up.
- Bake it through:
- Put the pan in your hot oven but watch out for the hot handle. Let it bake for 1012 minutes and keep an eye on it toward the end. It's done when the middle looks mostly set but still moves a tiny bit if you jiggle the pan.
- Take a breather:
- Pull it out and don't touch it for 5 minutes before cutting. This waiting time lets the eggs finish cooking gently and makes cutting much neater. Sprinkle fresh herbs on top right before you serve it.
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This egg dish takes me back to weekends at my grandma's house where she showed me that good eggs need time and gentle heat. She always used an old family cast iron pan, saying the years of cooking on it added something special you couldn't get any other way.
Planning Ahead
This dish really shines when you need quick meals ready to go. You can cook the whole thing, let it cool down completely, then cut it up and pack it in sealed containers in your fridge for up to 4 days. When you're hungry, warm single pieces in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until just heated through. Unlike many egg dishes that get tough when reheated, this one keeps a surprisingly nice texture.
Swap Your Ingredients
What makes frittatas so great is how easily you can change things up. Don't have cheddar? Try Swiss, gouda, or feta instead. Can't do dairy? Use unsweetened almond milk and skip the cheese or grab a plant-based option. Beyond ham, you can try cooked bacon, sausage, or smoked salmon. If you don't eat meat, swap in roasted red peppers and spinach for an equally tasty version without meat.
What to Eat With It
Enjoy your frittata warm or room temp with a basic green salad and lemon dressing for a full meal. When feeding a crowd, add roasted potatoes for hungrier folks or fresh fruit for something lighter. A spoonful of sour cream or crème fraîche makes it feel fancy, while hot sauce or salsa works great for anyone who likes spicy food. This dish fits in anywhere from quick family breakfasts to fancy brunches with friends.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is it okay to swap the cheese kind?
Totally! Mozzarella, Swiss, or any mix of your favorite cheeses works great if you’re out of cheddar.
- → Can I replace the ham with something else?
Sure! Try bacon, sausage, smoked turkey, or make it veggie-friendly with sautéed veggies.
- → Can I prep this dish ahead?
Definitely. Cool it down, store in a sealed container in your fridge, and heat it up when you’re ready.
- → How do I stop the frittata from sticking?
Grease your skillet well with butter or nonstick spray before cooking, and use a skillet that’s oven-safe or nonstick.
- → What goes well with this meal?
Serve it alongside a fresh salad, creamy avocado slices, or a low-carb crusty bread. Yum!