Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe (2024)

  • Stovetop Eggs
  • Cheese
  • Omelettes
  • Ham
  • Asparagus

Flip your frittata for a quicker meal, no broiler required.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated July 13, 2023

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Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • 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.

The other night I was up late editing some photos and got a bit of the ol' late-night hunger pangs. After realizing I was out of pickles to wrap in slices of Swiss cheese (my standard eaten-by-the-warm-glow-of-the-refrigerator light meal), I spied the carton of eggs and rememberedDaniel's excellent tutorial on how to make a Spanish-style tortilla. I quickly pulled out my phone to check my shopping list to see if I was out of potatoes, then stopped myself because I realized I could get the answer much faster by looking at the potato bin right next to me. It was empty.

Luckily I had a fridge full of vegetable and cheese scraps. My tongue turned toward my stomach and flashed electric signals across a vast tunnel of synaptic gaps to deliver one word in three syllables:frit- ta- ta.

My stomach had only just given a genial growl to indicate its approval of the plan when my brain butted in and saidahem, we arenotgoing to be turning on the broiler tonight,daring anyone to challenge it. Cranking the oven on a hot summer evening just wasn't gonna happen.

Meanwhile, my hands had already started slicing onions and garlic, some asparagus, spinach, and a couple of shish*to peppers before my brain had even caught up to what was going on. Most of my brain decided to take a moment to regroup while my hands continued to sauté vegetables. The only part that stuck around to watch was the bit that remembered to sauté the onions separately so that the steam from the other vegetables didn't inhibit any delicious caramelization on the onion bits.

By the time my brain caught up, my hands had already sliced some ham and diced up some cheese (a much nicer way to incorporate it into frittatas and quichesthan grating it), whisked some eggs, and deposited them into the skillet.

So there I was. I suddenly found myself with a frittata cooking in the skillet and no broiler to finish it under. The solution was simple: Just flip it like a Spanish tortilla. Compared to a normal finished-in-the-oven frittata which can take on a poofy, souffléd texture, flipping produces a much creamier, denser omelette. It's a texture I actually prefer.

AsDaniel demonstrated, once you get the hang of it, the process of flipping is really simple and it allows you to put dinner on the table much faster than using the oven (and it saves you from having to heat up the kitchen during the summer). All you have to do is place an empty plate or pot lid over the pan, invert it over the sink (just in case you have any drips), then slide it back into the skillet. You end up with a nice fat omelette that's golden brown on the outside and nice and creamy in the middle.

After I finished my slice, I covered the rest and left it out for breakfast. My stomach thanked my hands, my hands gave a synaptic high five to my brain, and my eyes remembered seeing the last egg come out of that carton. My thumb flicked on my phone and when I looked down to update my shopping list, my hand decided to smack my head: Turns out I'd never put potatoes on the list anyway.

July 2016

Recipe Details

Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe

Active20 mins

Total20 mins

Serves3to 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided (60ml)

  • 4 stalks asparagus, sliced on a bias into 1-inch pieces

  • 6 shish*to peppers or one green bell pepper, diced

  • 1/2 medium red onion, sliced (about 4 ounces; 120g)

  • 3 medium cloves garlic, sliced

  • 1 cup packed spinach leaves, roughly chopped (about 2 ounces; 55g)

  • 3 ounces sliced ham, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (90g) (optional)

  • 4 ounces medium-firm cheese such as cheddar or Jack, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (120g)

Directions

  1. Lightly beat eggs with a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl. Set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil in a 10-inch non-stick, cast iron, or carbon steel skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add asparagus and peppers, season with salt and pepper, and cook, tossing and stirring frequently, until asparagus is tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the eggs.

    Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe (3)

  2. Heat 1 tablespoon (15ml) oil in the now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions and cook, stirring, until starting to brown around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until onions and garlic are lightly browned, about 1 minute longer. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 1 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the eggs. Add ham (if using) and cheese to the eggs and stir the mixture until everything is evenly combined.

  3. Wipe out skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons (30ml) oil to skillet and set over medium-high heat until shimmering. Scrape egg mixture into skillet and cook, swirling and shaking pan rapidly, until bottom and sides begin to set, about 3 minutes. Using a heatproof spatula, press the edges in to begin to form the frittata's puck shape. Continue to cook, adjusting heat to prevent bottom of frittata from burning, until beginning to set around edges, about 3 minutes longer.

    Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe (4)

  4. Working over a sink or garbage can, place a large overturned flat plate or lid on top of skillet, set hand on top (using a dish towel if you are sensitive to heat), and, in one very quick motion, invert frittata onto it. Carefully slide frittata back into skillet and continue to cook until second side is beginning to firm up, about 2 minutes. Use rubber spatula to again press the sides in all around to form a rounded puck shape. Continue to cook frittata until lightly browned on second side but still tender in the center when pressed with a finger, about 2 minutes longer. If desired, you can flip frittata 2 to 3 more times during these last minutes of cooking, which helps to cook the center more evenly and reinforce the shape.

    Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe (5)

  5. Carefully slide frittata out of skillet onto a clean plate, and serve.

Special Equipment

Nonstick, carbon steel, or cast iron skillet

Read More

  • Frittata With Bacon, Corn, and Gruyère
  • Spinach and Feta Frittata
  • Chorizo and Potato Frittata
  • Kale, Onion, and Cheddar Frittata
  • Spring Ramp and Asparagus Frittata
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
374Calories
30g Fat
9g Carbs
18g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3to 4
Amount per serving
Calories374
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 30g39%
Saturated Fat 10g48%
Cholesterol 307mg102%
Sodium 516mg22%
Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
Dietary Fiber 2g6%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 18g
Vitamin C 26mg130%
Calcium 281mg22%
Iron 2mg13%
Potassium 337mg7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Flipped Frittata With Asparagus, Spinach, Ham, and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep frittata fluffy? ›

Dairy, like milk or cream, is a crucial component of frittatas. This is the ingredient that gives frittatas their signature creamy, fluffy texture. 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.

How do you know when to flip a frittata? ›

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.

How do you make a frittata not soggy? ›

If meat and vegetables figure into your frittata, cook them in the pan before you add your eggs—and I leave mine ever so slightly underdone. That way, they don't get soggy when they keep cooking in the oven (and I tend to like my vegetables with a little “bite” anyway, but it's a personal preference).

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 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 the frittata ratio to memorize? ›

Easy Formula For a Frittata

To make a great frittata, remember: 6 eggs. 1/4 cup heavy cream. 1 cup cheese.

What if the middle of the frittata is not cooked? ›

If the center is still liquid, you've got to cook longer. If it's almost set, cook the frittata a few more minutes, then remove it. As long as the frittata is still in the hot pan, it will continue to cook. That's why it's important to pull the dish from the oven as soon as it reaches that "set" stage.

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 I know when my 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.

How do you flip a frittata on a plate? ›

All you have to do is place an empty plate or pot lid over the pan, invert it over the sink (just in case you have any drips), then slide it back into the skillet. You end up with a nice fat omelette that's golden brown on the outside and nice and creamy in the middle.

How do you fix a wet frittata? ›

One reason your frittata is soggy, is that an ingredient you used had water or other liquid that was released when cooking the frittata. One solution, is to drain all ingredients first before mixing, or to reheat the ingredients seperately, until the liquid is removed.

Does a frittata have a crust? ›

Crust: A quiche has crust while a frittata does not. Sometimes, quiche is baked without crust.

Which is healthier quiche or frittata? ›

While often compared to quiche, a frittata is a healthier option because it doesn't have a crust. The benefits are a lot like those of an omelet. At home, you can pile on vegetables and control the amount of oil you use to make it even healthier.

How to keep a frittata from falling? ›

Beat the eggs just enough to blend the whites and yolks. You don't want to beat the eggs too much or you will incorporate too much air into the eggs; this will cause the frittata to poof in the oven and fall into a dense sad frittata after cooling.

What makes frittata spongy? ›

Use the right number of eggs: If you underfill or overfill your skillet, the texture of the frittata may be compromised. Thin frittatas easily overcook; thick ones may cook too long on the outer edges before the inside is set. That leaves you with an eggy, spongy dish.

Why did my frittata rise? ›

What Makes a Frittata Rise? Milk or cream is the essential ingredient that will make your frittata rise. Cooked without either milk or cream, the frittata will be flatter and less puffy. Add the milk or cream to the eggs and whisk them together until they are fluffy.

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