A No-Fail Frittata Formula (With An Easy Frittata Recipe!) (2024)

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Frittatas are a staple meal chez The Modern Domestique. They are so easy to make, great for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and are a perfect way to use up either leftovers or forgotten veggies that are on their last leg. I like to think of them like a quiche, but without all the effort!

A frittata is a great meal when friends come over for a meal, and it makes great leftovers to be eaten warm or cold. I like to serve it with a simple side salad, but asparagus or even potatoes would be good alongside as well.

Another great thing about frittatas is that you don't even need a recipe. All you need is this simple formula, and you can use any vegetables/cheeses/herbs you have on hand!

  1. Pre-cook the veggies and meats: Leftovers are perfect mix-ins for frittatas because not only are they pre-cooked, but serving them again in this way brings new life to whatever you have left from yesterday's meal. If you are using fresh veggies or uncooked meats, make sure to fully cook them before adding the egg mixture and baking. If you are starting from scratch, always cook the onions first to let them caramelize a bit, then add the rest of the ingredients based on how long they will cook. For instance, if you are using fresh broccoli you'd add that next after the onion, followed by bell peppers (after the broccoli has cooked a bit), followed by mushrooms, followed by tomatoes and so-on. This helps to ensure everything is cooked and nothing ends up soggy.

  2. 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. Non-fat is basically like adding water, so stick with the good stuff! Also, make sure not to over-beat the egg/dairy mixture. Mix it just enough to combine all the ingredients and then stop - beating the eggs too much will create too many air bubbles and will result in a drier frittata. My advice is to put the eggs, dairy, cheese, seasonings and any fresh herbs in the bowl than whisk it all together, rather than adding individual items to whisked eggs. If you are using a thicker cheese like ricotta or feta, whisk these together with the milk and seasonings first, then add the eggs and mix until everything just comes together. Speaking of cheese:

  3. Pick the right cheese for the right job: Not all cheeses are created equal when it comes to melt-factor. Shredded cheddar, gruyere or fontina cheese will give you melty cheese in every bite. Ricotta or feta will give you bursts of creamy melted goodness, and shredded parmesan or pecorino romano sprinkled on top will add a nice nutty flavor, without the gooey factor. I really like to go all out and mix (when using 12 eggs) 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and 1/4 cup of ricotta in with the eggs and dairy, and sprinkle 1/4 cup of parmesan on top of the frittata right before it goes in the oven. If you are using 6 eggs, just use half of the measurements above.

  4. Make sure to use the right pan: I like to use a cast-iron skillet, especially if I am using fresh veggies because I can cook the veggies on the stovetop in the skillet, then add the egg and dairy mixture and pop the whole thing right into the oven. If you don't have something that can go from stovetop to oven, make sure to well oil the oven-safe item you choose with butter before adding the ingredients, and make sure to use something that isn't too big: if you are making a 12 egg frittata use something around 10 inches with deep sides, and go a little smaller if only using 6 eggs.

  5. Season it well: Salt and eggs can be a tricky thing, especially if you are adding salty ingredients like bacon or a salty cheese into the mix. I usually lightly salt and pepper fresh vegetables that are cooking, and add about 1 teaspoon of salt to the egg/dairy mixture. If I am using something salty like bacon, then I reduce the salt in the eggs to 1/2 or 1/4 teaspoon, depending on how much bacon I am using. It's always a good idea to salt as you are cooking, but make sure not to over-do it.

  6. Make sure not to over-cook: My dad doesn't like runny eggs. When we are at a restaurant he will order his eggs "so well cooked that they will bounce off the wall". This is not how you should cook a frittata. A good frittata is almost like custard - smooth and creamy, and definitely not the texture of a tennis ball. You'll know it's ready if you use a knife to make a small slit in the center of the frittata and the raw eggs don't run into the slit. Bake at 350° for about 20-30 minutes. Start checking the done-ness starting at 15 minutes though, because all ovens cook differently and it would be so sad if yours burned!

Now you have the formula for the perfect-everytime-frittata, and I can't wait to see what combinations everyone comes up with! In the meantime, here is an easy recipe to follow if you are more comfortable following a recipe than a formula:

Serving suggestion: a side of The Beatles. You can also serve with a side salad, roasted potatoes, bacon, avocado...the possibilities are endless! Let me know in the comments below what you end up putting in your frittata!

#food #recipe #lunch #leftovers #inseason #cooking #breakfast

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A No-Fail Frittata Formula (With An Easy Frittata Recipe!) (2024)

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A No-Fail Frittata Formula (With An Easy Frittata Recipe!)? ›

The Frittata Ratio to Memorize

What is the frittata ratio to memorize? ›

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.

What kind of cheese is best for frittata? ›

For a standard 12-egg frittata, stir in about one cup (shred it first). Want to top the eggs with cheese, too? Shoot for ¼ to ½ cup more. If it's an oozing texture you're after, pick cheeses that have superior melting quality: "This is your cheddar, gruyère, and fontina," says Perry.

What is a frittata made of? ›

Frittatas are an Italian dish consisting of cooked eggs with other ingredients added in like meat, vegetables, or cheese. Unlike omelets and scrambled eggs, frittatas are not moved or folded over as they're cooked. The frittata is cooked whole, without disturbing, in one large piece.

Do frittatas need milk? ›

Forgetting to add milk or cream.

Without this important addition, frittatas cook up flatter and a bit more dense. Follow this tip: After whisking the eggs together, be sure to whisk in some milk or cream. As a rule of thumb, use 1/4 cup of dairy for every six eggs.

What is the golden ratio for frittata? ›

Already salty ingredients, such as bacon, don't require this step. You forget to use the golden ratio when you're making a frittata on the fly. An easy recipe to remember is 6 large eggs, ¼ cup of dairy, and 1-2 cups of add-ins like vegetables, meat, cheese, and herbs.

Why is my frittata not fluffy? ›

Tips for Fluffy Eggs

Don't overcook! Overcooking eggs makes them rubbery. When you remove the Frittata from the oven, it will continue to cook, especially if you are using cast iron, which retains heat well. You do want it to be set and not liquidy, but keep this in mind so you keep the texture perfect.

What makes a frittata so different from an omelet? ›

While it's similar to an omelet, crustless quiche, and Spanish tortilla, the way a frittata is cooked is what sets it apart. Frittatas are generally thicker than omelets. A frittata is made with the exact same ingredients as an omelet, but here, the milk, or more preferably, cream, is crucial.

What are 3 main differences between a frittata and a quiche? ›

Origin: Frittata is an Italian dish whereas quiche is a French dish. Crust: A quiche has crust while a frittata does not. Sometimes, quiche is baked without crust. Base Ingredients: While both frittatas and quiches are made with eggs, quiche is made with an egg custard, which also includes cream or milk.

How do you keep frittata from drying out? ›

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.

Should you flip a frittata? ›

Pre-seasoning the eggs with salt helps them retain moisture during cooking. Cooking the vegetables in batches gives us more control over their texture. Keeping the cheese in large chunks gives us oozy pockets in the frittata. Flipping the frittata ensures a creamy, dense center.

What kind of pan is best for frittata? ›

Use a cast-iron skillet.

The best choice for making frittatas, cast iron skillets can safely go from stovetop to oven, and they conduct heat well and evenly. Seasoning a cast-iron pan gives it a non-stick quality, so a well-seasoned skillet will result in the easiest slicing & serving.

How do you know when frittata is done? ›

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.

Why is my frittata bland? ›

If you don't add seasoning to your frittata, it will end up tasting bland. Season your eggs with salt and pepper before putting them in the pan–a sprinkle of salt on top of the eggs before they bake will only flavor the top crust of the eggs, and not the whole dish.

How to stop frittata sticking? ›

Add olive oil to grease – this will stop frittata from sticking. Add frittata mixture to the pan.

Why is my frittata soggy on the bottom? ›

If your frittata turned out soggy, it's because you used uncooked mix-ins. According to Bon Appétit, many common frittata ingredients like tomatoes, mushrooms, and zucchini have a high moisture content, and that means they seep water when cooked.

What is the ratio of number of eggs to tablespoons of milk in scrambled eggs or omelet? ›

To make scrambled eggs for two, you'll need 4 to 6 eggs, 4 to 6 tablespoons of milk (figure 1 tablespoon of milk for every egg), and salt and pepper to taste. Chopped fresh parsley and other herbs add flavor and visual appeal, but they're completely optional.

When determining how many eggs to use in a frittata generally? ›

Final answer: For a frittata, generally, 2 eggs per person are considered sufficient.

How do you know when a frittata is done? ›

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.

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