Easy Frittata Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best pan for frittata? ›

Use a cast-iron skillet.

I like to use an enameled cast iron skillet, which does not require any pre-seasoning. If you don't have a skillet, go make this breakfast casserole recipe instead.

Go for high moisture cheeses

According to Cheese Science, high moisture cheeses like mozzarella and smoked Gouda are great melting cheeses that give frittatas their desired texture. Meanwhile, a low moisture cheese like Parmesan won't melt in the oven, especially when it's surrounded by a mixture of eggs.

Adding a bit of dairy, whether it's cream or thick yogurt, is essential for getting the moisture and creaminess of the frittata just right. For every dozen eggs, use a half cup of dairy. It can be cream, whole milk, sour cream, yogurt, crème fraîche, even cottage cheese.

The solution is to partially cook the frittata on the stove. To prevent the bottom from burning on the stovetop, give the frittata a few stirs until you can see some large curds of egg and it starts to turn opaque, but it's still wet enough to flatten off the top.

I keep a lower heat to try to keep the bottom from burning. I strongly suggest using a nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron pan (I LOVE this pan - crisps, frittatas, casseroles, the best)…or the whole thing can be baked in a well greased, oven-proof dish.

Cook the frittata in the oven just until the centre is no longer wobbly and the edges are golden-brown. If still unsure, place a knife into the centre of the frittata. If raw eggs run out, keep cooking. You want the eggs to be just set as the frittata will keep cooking while it's standing.

The green-gray color (and the whiff of sulfur smell that often accompanies it) comes from the reaction of iron in the egg yolk and sulfur in the egg white. When heated, the two can combine to make green-gray ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide gas.

Replace cover on the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the egg is lightly browned on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip the frittata and cook until the bottom is again lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes more.

Never use uncooked vegetables in a frittata

Therefore, if you add them to the mixture raw, you'll end up with a watery frittata with undercooked vegetables. That's precisely why leftover vegetables are traditionally used, so while you could use fresh vegetables, you'll need to sauté them beforehand.

What cheese melts best in eggs? ›

1. **Cheddar**: Sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, or any variation of cheddar cheese melts beautifully in scrambled eggs and adds a rich, creamy texture. 2. **Monterey Jack**: This cheese is known for its smooth melting properties, making it an excellent choice for creamy scrambled eggs.

A frittata is similar to a quiche without the crust, and is often described as a thick omelette packed with ingredients like vegetables, cheese or ham. A strata is a breakfast casserole made with eggs and bread and is often described as an easy-to-make, savoury bread pudding.

The Frittata Ratio to Memorize

So how do you make a great frittata every time without always using a recipe? The answer is a ratio. For every six eggs, use 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup cheese, and 2 cups total of vegetables and/or meat.

The egg to dairy ratio: If you are making a smaller frittata use 6 eggs and 1/4 cup of dairy, and if you are making a larger frittata use 12 eggs and 1/2 cup of dairy. You can use milk, sour cream, yogurt, milk kefir, or any other form of dairy you have on hand - just make sure it is full fat.

This also holds true for aromatics, like onions, and sturdy veggies, like raw potatoes. "They won't get much more tender once you add the beaten eggs," says Perry, "So cook them fully before combining everything." Don't be afraid of getting a little color on the vegetables: That's what makes them so delicious!

Since frittatas start on the stovetop and finish cooking in the oven, above all else, an oven-safe skillet is key. And when it comes to this egg dish, the best choice is a cast iron skillet.

Heavy, stainless steel works because it distributes heat well, but you may need extra oil or clarified butter to prevent the eggs from sticking. Thin pans will burn the eggs using frittata's combination of heat levels. Whichever sort of pan you use, a 12-egg frittata necessitates a large 10- to 12-inch pan.

Although this may seem like common sense, you absolutely must use an oven-safe pan to cook frittatas. Your non-stick skillet that's not oven-safe might be the best tool for omelets, but not so with frittatas. The ideal cooking vessel, unsurprisingly, is a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet.

Frittatas are cooked in a cast iron pan or oven-safe skillet because they are started on the stovetop and then finished in the oven. And, unlike omelets, frittata fillings are mixed in with the eggs in the pan rather than folded in the center.