Ham and Cheese Quiche with French Bread and Hollandaise
A hearty breakfast quiche loaded with diced ham, sharp cheddar cheese, and caramelized onions nestled in cubed French bread for extra texture. This make-ahead friendly dish features a buttery pie crust filled with a creamy egg custard, bell peppers, and aromatic seasonings. Perfect for brunch gatherings, holiday mornings, or meal prep, it's with an optional homemade hollandaise sauce drizzle. The French bread cubes absorb the egg mixture while baking, creating a unique bread pudding-quiche hybrid that's both satisfying and elegant.
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs, cracked
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- ½ cup onions, white or yellow, minced
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup ham, diced
- ⅝ cup cheddar cheese, shredded, reserve half for top
- ½ large red bell pepper, diced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper
- 2 cups French bread, cubed
- 1 regular pie crust
- 3 large egg yolks, for hollandaise(optional)
- 1 cup butter, for hollandaise(optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, for hollandaise(optional)
- 1 tablespoons hot water, for hollandaise(optional)
- 1 pinch salt, for hollandaise(optional)
- 1 pinch pepper, for hollandaise(optional)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper, for hollandaise(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Remove pie crust from refrigerator and bring to room temperature
- 2
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- 3
Melt butter in small saucepan and add onions, cooking on medium heat until light caramel color
- 4
Crack eggs into medium mixing bowl
- 5
Add milk, ham, cheese, red pepper, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to eggs, whisking until combined
- 6
Roll out pie crust and fit into 9-inch pie plate, pinching edges decoratively if desired
- 7
Add cubed bread to pie plate and pour egg mixture over top
- 8
Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of egg mixture
- 9
Bake for 60 minutes or until edges are golden brown
- 10
Cool for 5 minutes before serving with hollandaise sauce if desired
Tips
Caramelize onions slowly for deeper flavor and sweeter taste that complements the ham perfectly.
Reserve half the cheese for sprinkling on top to create a beautiful golden crust during baking.
Use day-old French bread for better absorption and to prevent the quiche from becoming soggy.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days, reheat individual slices in microwave
Assemble completely up to 24 hours before baking, cover and refrigerate
Serve warm or at room temperature with fresh fruit or light salad
Common Mistakes
Don't skip caramelizing onions to avoid raw onion bite in finished quiche
Reserve cheese for topping to prevent burning during long bake time
Cool before slicing to prevent custard from being runny and falling apart
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this without a pie crust?
Yes, grease the pie plate well and bake as directed. It will be more like a frittata with bread pieces throughout.
What if I don't have French bread?
Any day-old bread works well - sourdough, Italian, or even dinner rolls. Fresh bread may make the quiche soggy.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
Store covered for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through.