Egg bakes, whether you're talking about frittatas, quiches, or the many variations in between, are one of the most versatile dishes you can make. Not only are they a delicious way to start the day, but they also make for an excellent meal prep option. The beauty of an egg bake lies in its flexibility: you can make it as simple or as extravagant as you like, using whatever ingredients are available—often turning dinner leftovers into a breakfast or lunch delight.
At its core, an egg bake is an egg-based dish that’s baked in a dish (hence the name), and it can be as rich and decadent as a quiche or as simple and rustic as a frittata. Both are essentially savory custards, but they come from different culinary traditions. A frittata, popular in Italy, is like a crustless quiche, often featuring a combination of eggs, cheese, and potatoes, and typically cooked on the stovetop before being finished in the oven. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or brunch, and the best part is it can be customized based on what's in your fridge.
A quiche, on the other hand, hails from France and traditionally features a flaky crust filled with eggs, cream, cheese, and a variety of fillings such as vegetables, meats, and herbs. The custard filling is often richer than that of a frittata, thanks to the addition of heavy cream or milk. While it takes a bit more effort to prepare than a frittata, the result is a savory dish that feels special enough for a brunch gathering or even a light dinner. Have some leftover roasted vegetables from dinner? Throw them in! Bits of cooked chicken or bacon? Perfect. The egg base brings it all together, making these dishes an easy way to repurpose ingredients and reduce food waste.
From a meal prep standpoint, egg bakes check all the boxes. They're easy to make in bulk, store well in the fridge, and reheat easily throughout the week. Plus, they’re incredibly satisfying without being too heavy—perfect for those busy mornings when you need something hearty but don’t have time for a sit-down breakfast. And whether you’re making a frittata with a Mediterranean twist or a quiche packed with seasonal veggies, egg bakes can draw inspiration from cuisines around the world. A Mediterranean frittata might feature olives, feta, and fresh herbs, while a Mexican-style egg bake could be packed with chiles, cheese, and cilantro.
Egg bakes are a delicious and flexible dish that can utilize whatever leftovers or ingredients you have on hand. So next time you're looking for a meal that can be made ahead and enjoyed throughout the week, consider making an egg bake. Whether you go with a frittata or a quiche, the possibilities are endless—and I’ve shared my favorite recipe below to get you started. So grab some eggs, dig through your fridge, and give this simple yet satisfying dish a try.
Sausage and Caramelized Onion Egg Bake
Yields 6-8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: about 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, sliced
8 oz ground breakfast sausage
4 oz mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
8 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/8 cup grated Parmesan
4 tablespoons scallions, sliced thin
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- Preheat the oven to 315 degrees F.
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan and add the onions, allow the onions to soften and begin to brown, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat and add in the sausage. Brown the sausage while continuing to caramelize the onions. Once the sausage is cooked through, set this mixture aside to cool.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mascarpone and cream just until smooth and pour in the beaten eggs, cheeses, scallions, season with salt and pepper and whisk just until combined.
4. Crumble a sheet of parchment paper and place it into an 8x8 baking dish, brush the paper with butter. Place the sausage and onion into the dish and pour over the egg mixture. Stir gently to evenly distribute the ingredients.
5. Bake the egg dish for 45 minutes to an hour or until the center is set and has very little to no jiggle. Cool the egg bake before slicing into serving size pieces. You can also make individual servings in a muffin tin.
You can easily transform this dish into a quiche by adding a pie crust with this recipe.
To learn how to make a Middle Eastern-style egg bake, don't miss our Mediterranean Boot Camp coming up on Saturday, September 6 at 10am which features Shakshuka with Herbed Garlic Flatbread. Shakshuka is a vibrant Middle Eastern dish of eggs gently poached in a simmering sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and warm spices like cumin and paprika. It's just one of many delicious dishes you'll learn how to make in this class.
