French Quiche Lorraine Recipe
Description
Quiche Lorraine is one of France's most beloved savory tarts, featuring a buttery pastry crust filled with smoky bacon, creamy eggs, rich cream, and melted Gruyère cheese. Baked until golden and perfectly set, this classic French recipe delivers a delicious combination of crisp pastry and silky, savory filling.
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a light dinner, Quiche Lorraine can be served warm or at room temperature. Pair it with a fresh green salad for a simple and elegant French meal.
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Difficulty: Intermediate
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Buttery, crisp pastry crust.
- Creamy and savory egg custard.
- Smoky bacon adds rich flavor.
- Melted Gruyère creates a delicious finish.
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Great for entertaining.
- Classic French comfort food.
How to Make
1. Prepare the Pastry
Roll out the pastry dough and carefully fit it into a 9-inch tart pan. Trim the edges and prick the bottom lightly with a fork.
2. Blind Bake the Crust
Line the pastry with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges begin to turn golden. Remove the weights and bake briefly again until the base is lightly golden.
3. Cook the Bacon
Cook the diced bacon in a skillet over medium heat until lightly crisp. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate and drain the excess fat.
4. Prepare the Custard
Whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
5. Assemble the Quiche
Spread the cooked bacon and grated Gruyère evenly over the pastry crust. Pour the custard mixture over the top.
6. Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) until the filling is puffed, golden, and set around the edges with a slight softness in the center.
7. Rest Before Slicing
Allow the quiche to rest for about 10 minutes. This helps the custard set and makes slicing easier.
8. Serve
Slice into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature with a fresh green salad.
Tips
- Keep the pastry chilled before baking.
- Blind-bake the crust to prevent a soggy bottom.
- Do not overcook the custard.
- Drain excess bacon fat before adding it to the quiche.
- Use freshly grated Gruyère for the best melting texture.
- Let the quiche rest before slicing.
- Bake the quiche on a lower oven rack for a crispier base.
Variations
Quiche Lorraine with Shallots
Add finely sautéed shallots for extra sweetness and flavor.
Mushroom Quiche Lorraine
Add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy variation.
Spinach Quiche
Add cooked, well-drained spinach for a vegetable-rich version.
Ham Quiche
Replace some or all of the bacon with diced cooked ham.
What to Serve
- Fresh green salad
- Tomato salad
- Roasted asparagus
- French potato salad
- Crusty baguette
- Sautéed green beans
- Fresh fruit
- Light vegetable soup
Storage
Allow the quiche to cool completely before covering and refrigerating. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual slices in a 325°F (165°C) oven until warmed through.
Freezing
Quiche Lorraine can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Allow it to cool completely, wrap individual slices tightly, and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 325°F (165°C) oven.
Ingredients
For the Pastry Crust
For the Filling
Instructions
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Prepare the pastry dough and fit it into a 9-inch tart pan.
-
Blind-bake the crust with parchment and pie weights until lightly golden.
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Cook the bacon until crisp and drain excess fat.
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Whisk the eggs, cream, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
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Add bacon and Gruyère to the pastry crust.
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Pour the custard evenly over the filling.
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Bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden and set.
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Rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
