Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Quiche

This easy Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Quiche is packed with flavor and color! If you're a fan of the hot dip, you'll flip for this amazing quiche!!

This easy vegetarian quiche is quick to prepare, especially if you use a deep dish ready-to-fill pie crust from the store, as I did. It will be ready for the oven in a matter of minutes, and then you can go about your business as it bakes and fills the house with its wonderful aroma!!

Jump to:

• The ingredients
• Ingredient information
• Highlighted kitchen tools for success
• What does blind baking mean, and how does it pertain to pie crust?
• What is docking a pie crust, and why is it important?
• What are pie weights, and what do they do?
• What does the parchment paper do when using pie weights?
• Alternatives to ceramic pie weights
• How to make cheesy spinach and artichoke quiche
• Very important tip for success
• Ingredient add-in suggestions
• Ingredient substitution suggestions
• FAQs
• Can this vegetarian quiche filling be used for other things?
• Additional savory breakfast recipes
• Printable Recipe Card

The ingredients

Ingredient information

DEEP DISH PIE SHELL - You'll want a pie shell that will hold most, if not all, of this delicious filling, which is why I chose a deep dish. However, if you'd like to make two individual quiches, feel free to use two regular-size pie crusts, and you'll be good to go. Remember that the baking time will be less because the filling won't be as deep.

THAWED FROZEN SPINACH - It is imperative to ensure all the water is squeezed from the spinach after thawing. Water that, if left in the spinach, will ruin the consistency of your quiche. You can do this in two ways. The way I did it was to use a strainer, and then I pressed all the water from the thawed spinach. Another way is to add the thawed spinach to an impeccably clean kitchen towel, then wrap it up and wring it dry. You'll be amazed at how much water you'll get from the spinach. 

CANNED ARTICHOKE HEARTS - I used non-marinated baby artichoke hearts in a can (drained) and then chopped them into smaller pieces before adding them to the filling. The baby artichoke hearts are more tender and less fibrous than larger artichokes.

SCALLIONS - I added scallions (aka spring or green onions) for a touch of onion flavor. Still, I kept with this vegetable quiche's green "theme" because I love the taste of scallions!

GRATED NUTMEG - I always appreciate the light nutty, warm flavor nutmeg adds to any green leafy vegetable dish. It's a flavor you'll appreciate in this recipe, but odds are you won't fully be able to detect what it is.

GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE - Use the best quality Parmesan cheese you can afford and steer clear of the kind in the green can on the grocery store shelves. Parmesan in the refrigerated section has much more flavor than shelf-stable Parmesan, so spending the extra money is worth it in my book.

EGGS - Like all recipes, this recipe uses large eggs. Break the yolks first using a whisk or fork to make quick work of beating eggs by hand. I like to lightly beat the eggs before adding the milk and cream.

MILK - I used 2% milk in this recipe because that's what I had on hand. Feel free to use whole or even 1% milk if you like. The more milk fat, the richer the flavor of the quiche, but since this recipe also calls for heavy cream, using 1% milk isn't much of a flavor issue.

HEAVY CREAM - This is a crucial ingredient for richness and flavor. This recipe doesn't call for much heavy cream, but it makes a big difference even in the small quantity of ½ cup.

BUTTER - I always use salted butter, even in my baking. Always taste your salted butter before adding it to a dish. If you can detect a salty flavor, reduce the salt in the recipe by a touch. If the butter tastes delicious (as it should), go ahead with the recipe as written, and I promise you won't notice your finished product being too salty!

SALT AND PEPPER - Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are always my number one and two seasonings, from which almost every savory dish benefits.

Highlighted kitchen tools for success

PIE WEIGHTS - Even though this is an optional tool, pie weights are fantastic for ensuring a pie crust won't bubble and puff during the blind baking stage, hence making sure you'll have plenty of room for all the delicious filling.

STRAINER - This tool, for this recipe, is a lifesaver. Add the thawed spinach to the strainer and firmly press (using your hand or a spatula) to express all the water from the spinach. You'll be amazed at how much liquid comes out. Water that, if left in the spinach, would entirely ruin the outcome of this particular quiche recipe.

MICROPLANE - This is a handy tool in the kitchen. For this recipe, I used it to grate the nutmeg pod. A microplane is also an excellent tool for zesting citrus. I like grating my fresh nutmeg from the pod, but you can also use ground nutmeg from the store.

KITCHEN TIMER - I don't know about you, but the more I do at one time, the less confident I feel about remembering when something needs to be taken out of the oven. Hence the oven timer. It has saved me countless times from over-baking things, and now I don't feel comfortable baking without it.

What does blind baking mean, and how does it pertain to pie crust?

Blind baking a pie crust means baking the crust before filling it with ingredients. Blind baking prevents a pie crust from getting soggy while baking, especially with a wet filling like a quiche.

This vegetarian quiche recipe calls for blind baking the crust.

What is docking a pie crust, and why is it important?

It's a simple way to keep pie dough from puffing while baking in the oven. Simply pricking the bottom of an unbaked pie dough with the tines of a fork allows the steam to escape through the little holes and prevents unwanted puffy air bubbles from forming in the crust.

What are pie weights, and what do they do?

Pie weights are extra insurance to keep the pie crust from bubbling and puffing during blind baking. Docking works well enough, but pie weights will set your mind at ease, leaving plenty of room inside the crust for the delicious filling.

What does the parchment paper do when using pie weights?

The parchment paper (shown in the photo above) is an easy way to remove the pie weights from the crust after blind baking. Use two hands to gently and evenly lift the parchment (along with the weights) and quickly and easily funnel the pie weights back into their container. 

Alternatives to ceramic pie weights

Many people use dried beans or uncooked white rice (saved specifically for blind baking) instead of ceramic weights.

Feel free to also use washed and dried pebbles or small river rocks. Unusual, but fun! Just remember that they'll be HOT after baking, so allow them time to cool before removing them from the crust and storing them for another use.

How to make cheesy spinach and artichoke quiche

Blind bake the deep dish pie crust in a preheated 450-degree oven for 7-10 minutes and prepare the filling while the crust bakes. Remove the crust and set aside.

Very important tip for success

I can't emphasize this enough...It is imperative that the thawed and/or pre-cooked spinach has been thoroughly squeezed of all the excess water. Spinach is loaded with natural water (which is why it wilts down as it does during cooking) and if that excess water is not removed it will make the quiche filling far too watery and it will never set properly during baking.

Ingredient add-in suggestions

Feel free to use any additional cooked vegetables that you enjoy. Cooked and chopped broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, or peas are delicious options.

Cooked and chopped bacon or breakfast sausage would also be a tasty addition, but only if you're not serving a vegetarian quiche.

Drained chopped pimentos would make a beautiful addition as far as flavor and color. I wish I had thought of it sooner. *wink*

Ingredient substitution suggestions

Feel free to substitute any shredded cheese you like in place of the Parmesan.

If you'd rather use cooked kale instead of spinach, please be my guest.

As a substitution for the artichokes, hearts of palm or bamboo shoots will work in a pinch.

FAQs

Can this vegetarian quiche filling be used for other things?

You bet!! Feel free to add it to a skillet with some butter and scramble it over medium heat.

Add it to a small gratin dish and bake it until set. Spoon it over toast for an unusual but delicious savory breakfast!

I also have a recipe coming that I call quiche in the Bagel Hole (pictured below) that is just as it sounds. The recipe and instructions are coming soon, so please stay tuned.

Additional savory breakfast recipes

This Ham and Cheese Tater Tot Breakfast Bake will become your weekend go-to breakfast or brunch staple because everyone loves it. Plus, it's quick to put on the table without much effort.

Here's a delicious low-carb, keto-friendly (optional) Grated Egg Avocado Quesadilla breakfast sandwich that can be made in the air fryer, oven, or stovetop.

Ham and Asparagus Quiche is a deliciously special yet easy breakfast or brunch item that utilizes leftover ham, frozen hash browns, and fresh tender asparagus.

Scrambled Egg Breakfast Sliders make for a tasty morning treat. They're fun to eat, filling, and will please the entire family!

Printable Recipe Card

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's cheesy spinach and artichoke breakfast quiche recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!