
This Cottage Cheese & Spinach Crustless Quiche is creamy, fluffy, cheesy, and full of delicious flavor! Made with protein-rich cottage cheese, fresh spinach, eggs, and melted cheese, this easy breakfast recipe is perfect for weekend brunch, meal prep, or a satisfying light dinner. No crust needed, making it naturally low-carb and easy to prepare!
Preparation & Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: 50–55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients - 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 6 large eggs
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish or baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Spinach - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in the chopped spinach.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Gently squeeze out excess moisture from the spinach if necessary.
Step 3: Prepare the Egg Mixture - Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Add cottage cheese and milk.
- Stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix until evenly combined.
Step 4: Combine the Ingredients - Add the cooked spinach, onion, and garlic to the egg mixture.
- Stir gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle a little extra mozzarella on top if desired.
Step 5: Bake the Quiche - Place the dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.
- Insert a knife or toothpick near the center. It should come out mostly clean.
- If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
Step 6: Rest and Serve - Remove the quiche from the oven.
- Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Cut into wedges and serve warm.
Enjoy this delicious crustless quiche with fresh fruit, avocado, or a Mediterranean salad!
Nutritional Information
Estimated per serving, based on 6 servings.
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Protein: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 430mg
Nutrition values are approximate and depend on the cottage cheese, cheese, and milk brands used.
Nut Information & Allergy Details
Nuts included in the recipe: - Almonds: None
- Walnuts: None
- Pecans: None
- Cashews: None
- Pistachios: None
- Hazelnuts: None
- Peanuts: None
- Macadamia Nuts: None
- Brazil Nuts: None
No Nuts Added
Potential Allergens: - Dairy: Cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and milk.
- Eggs: Contains eggs.
- Gluten: No gluten-containing ingredients are included in the basic recipe, but check packaged ingredient labels.
Allergy-Friendly Substitutions: - For a gluten-free option, verify all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free if necessary.
- For a dairy-free version, use suitable dairy-free cottage cheese, milk, and shredded cheese alternatives.
- For an egg-free version, use a tested egg substitute suitable for savory quiches.
Nut Allergy Warning: Although this recipe contains no nuts, always check ingredient labels for possible nut cross-contact, especially packaged cheeses and dairy alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1: Can I make this crustless quiche ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare and bake the quiche a day ahead. Let it cool completely, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat individual slices when ready to serve.
Q2: Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach?
Absolutely! Use approximately ½ cup thawed frozen spinach. Squeeze out all excess water before adding it to the egg mixture.
Q3: Can I blend the cottage cheese?
Yes! Blending cottage cheese creates a smoother, creamier texture and helps it combine evenly with the eggs.
Q4: Why is my crustless quiche watery?
Excess moisture from spinach or cottage cheese can cause watery quiche. Drain the spinach thoroughly and avoid adding too much milk.
Q5: Can I add other vegetables?
Yes! Mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes are delicious additions. Cook moisture-rich vegetables before adding them.
Q6: Can I add meat to this recipe?
Definitely! Cooked turkey bacon, chicken, ham, or crumbled sausage can add extra protein and flavor.
Q7: Is this cottage cheese quiche low-carb?
Yes! It is naturally low in carbohydrates and works well for many low-carb meal plans.
Q8: Can I make this recipe without milk?
Yes. Simply replace the milk with an equal amount of water or unsweetened dairy-free milk.
Q9: How do I know when the quiche is fully cooked?
The center should be set rather than liquid. For food safety, the egg mixture should reach 160°F (71°C) internally.
Q10: How should I store leftovers?
Store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Q11: Can I freeze crustless quiche?
Yes! Cool completely, slice into portions, wrap individually, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Q12: Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Absolutely! Bake once, divide into portions, and refrigerate for easy breakfasts or lunches throughout the week.
