Basic Frittata Recipe With Whatever You Have on Hand (2024)

This delicious and easy frittata recipe is the perfect base formula to make the best frittatas with any meat, cheese, or vegetables you have on hand! Try bacon feta and tomatoes for a yummy breakfast idea!

Cooked in a cast iron skillet, this amazing frittata formula is perfect for whatever you have on hand! You can make any type of frittata you’d like with ease!

Frittata Recipe

When you have an abundance of eggs on your hands or you simply need a great breakfast or brunch recipe to make for a crowd, a frittata is the perfect thing!

This flavorful meal is full of protein and is so easy to adapt to whatever ingredients you may have in the fridge! It’s the perfect “kitchen sink” style recipe that allows you to get creative by tossing in whatever sounds good.

Seriously you could make any type of frittata that sounds good to you, and it will turn out perfectly with our simply formula!

You’ll bake this recipe in the oven just like a Dutch Baby Pancake, but you could certainly cook it covered on the stove too! Your whole family will love this decadent cheesy, flavorful egg recipe!

What is a Frittata?

A frittata is an Italian dish made of eggs and toppings such as meat, cheese, and vegetables. Similar to scrambled eggs, crustless quiche, and omelette’s a frittata is baked in the oven or cooked on the stovetop in a large skillet. The word Frittata is Italian and loosely translates to “fried“.

Frittata vs Quiche vs Omelette

A Frittata is very similar to an omelette or quiche. The difference is that a frittata is not folded over like an omelette, and the cheese is mixed in rather than folded between the cooked eggs.

Unlike a quiche, the frittata does not have a buttery pie crust base, it is made of eggs with additions like vegetables, meat, and cheese.

Ingredients for Frittatas

• Eggs: Eggs are the star of the show in this dish. Farm fresh eggs will be best; however, you can certainly use beaters or even egg whites! 1 large frittata needs about 8 whole eggs.
• Cream: You can use any dairy you’d like to add some creaminess to your recipe. Cream will provide the best results, but you can use milk, or even a milk substitute in the case of allergies.
• Seasoning: Salt & pepper help round out any dish, but you can add any type of seasoning or herbs you’d like to compliment the combination of ingredients you’ll be using for your recipe. Try Italian seasonings, or even a Mexican seasoning if it works with your ingredient combination!
• Vegetables: The options are endless! Any vegetable combination you desire can be added to a frittata! Some great combination ideas are below.
• Meat: Pork is the most popular meat of choice: ham, bacon, or sausage. You could certainly add whatever type of meat you’d like such as chicken sausage, ground turkey, or even ground beef!
• Cheese: Just like the meat and veggies, you can use any type of cheese you’d like! Full flavored cheese will be best such as: feta, cheddar, parmesan, gruyere, and swiss are all good options!

How to Make a Basic Frittata Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a large bowl whisk 8 eggs, add 1/2 cup cream (or milk) and a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. In a 10″ oven-proof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat and sauté meat and any other veggies that take longer to cook (onions, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers) until cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Add softer veggies and any other herbs or spices such as zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, and garlic. Sauté over medium heat until al dente, 3-4 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from heat and pour in the eggs. Stir in the cheese, and add any additional toppings desired.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until *just* golden on top and cooked through.

Frittata Recipe Combination Ideas

In all of the combinations below, preheat the oven then start by whisking the eggs and milk, add salt and pepper if desired.

Sauté the meat and any vegetables that take longer to cook (such as broccoli, bell peppers, onion) in a 10″ oven-proof skillet. Once al dente, sauté herbs, softer vegetables (mushrooms, tomatoes, etc…), and garlic if desired for an additional 3-4 minutes.

Remove the skillet from heat and pour in the eggs mixture, and top with cheese and any additional herbs and veggies desired. Bake at 375 F for about 20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Frittata with Bacon

8 eggs + 1/2 cup cream + 6 slices bacon + 1 cup veggies of choice + 1 cup cheese of choice

Vegetarian Frittata

8 eggs + 1/2 cup cream + 1 – 1 1/2 cup veggies of choice + 1 cup cheese of choice

Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella. and Basil

8 eggs + 1/2 cup cream + 1 cup sliced tomatoes + 1 cup mozzarella + fresh basil (dried works as well, about 2 teaspoons)

Caramelized Mushroom, Onion, and Ham

8 eggs + 1/2 cup cream + 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms + 1/2 onion, sliced + 1 cup diced ham + 1 cup cheese of choice

Broccoli, Cheddar, and Bacon

8 eggs + 1/2 cup cream + 6 slices bacon + 1 cup broccoli + 1 cup cheddar

Denver Style

8 eggs + 1/2 cup cream + 1/4 cup sliced onion + 1/2 cup diced bell pepper + 1 cup diced ham + 1 cup cheddar

South Western Style

8 eggs + 1/2 cup cream + 1/4 cup sliced onion + 1/2 cup diced bell pepper + 1 cup spicy sausage + 1 cup cheddar + 2 tablespoons taco seasoning