This hearty Ricotta Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms is packed with protein, colorful veggies, and creamy ricotta cheese. This simple baked egg dish will satisfy your cravings and fuel your day. It's perfect for leisurely brunches, special occasions like Mother's Day or even dinner.
I love breakfast food- there's just something about starting the day with a delicious and hearty dish that sets a positive tone and energizes me for whatever lies ahead. Although I love sweet breakfast dishes like my strawberry stuffed French toast and high protein overnight oats, I usually prefer savory breakfast dishes like this spinach and mushroom ricotta frittata.
While most weekdays I'm rushing out the door in the mornings, on the weekends, I love making dishes like this ricotta frittata. It's the perfect lazy Sunday brunch dish to savor with my family before we head out for the day's activities. This vegetable frittata has also become a go-to recipe for special occasions like Mother's Day.
What I love most about frittatas is their simplicity. Unlike an omelette which requires close attention and flipping in a pan, a frittata is baked in the oven, so it's hands-off. Plus, frittatas are incredibly versatile- you can clean out your fridge and use whatever ingredients you have on hand including meat, cheese, and veggies.
In the summer I like to make a frittata with fresh zucchini and corn. A simple frittata is a great way to incorporate nutritious veggies into your morning routine.
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Frittata vs. Quiche vs. Strata
While frittatas, quiches, and stratas share some similarities as beloved egg-based dishes, each has its own unique qualities.
- Frittata is an Italian dish similar to an omelette or crustless quiche.
- It's made by whisking together eggs and milk, then cooking them with various ingredients such as vegetables, meats, cheeses, and herbs.
- Unlike an omelette, a frittata is typically cooked slowly on the stove top and then finished in the oven.
- It's often served in wedges, either hot or at room temperature, and can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner
- Quiche is a French dish consisting of a pastry crust filled with a savory custard made of eggs, cream, and various fillings.
- Quiche is baked until the custard is set and the crust is golden brown, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.
- It's often served in slices, either warm or cold, and is popular for brunches, lunches, and light dinners.
- Strata is an American dish similar to a savory bread pudding or a layered egg casserole.
- It's made by layering bread cubes with ingredients such as eggs, milk, cheese, vegetables, meats, and seasonings.
- The layers are allowed to soak and meld together before the dish is baked in the oven until golden and puffed.
- It can be prepared in advance and is a popular choice for breakfast, brunch, or potlucks.
Why You'll Love This Dish
- Packed with protein to fuel your day
- Easy to make with simple ingredients for a stress-free meal
- Full of nutritious veggies like mushrooms, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes
- Perfect for brunch, special occasions or quick weeknight dinners
- Versatile and customizable to suit your taste
- Crustless and low-carb for a lighter option
- Make-ahead: whip up this ricotta frittata and enjoy it anytime you need a quick meal
Doctor's Tips
- As a doctor, I love this dish because it's packed with satiating protein and nutritious veggies.
- Many of us tend to skimp on protein in the mornings in favor of carb-heavy dishes like muffins and pastries.
- Incorporating protein into your breakfast is so beneficial for a number of reasons. It helps support muscle health, fills you up and keeps you feeling satisfied, and helps regulate blood sugar levels, giving you sustained energy levels throughout the day.
- Looking for more high protein recipes? Check out my round up of 30+ healthy high protein lunch ideas.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Eggs: I use whole eggs but you can use egg whites or a combination of the two
- Ricotta cheese: I like adding dollops of creamy ricotta to my frittata for richness. You can substitute cottage cheese but it won't have the same sweetness.
- Milk: You can use any type of milk; whole milk or 2% milk will give the creamiest, fluffiest frittata.
- Vegetables: I use a combination of spinach, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatoes. You can use fresh or frozen spinach. You can substitute other vegetables like bell peppers, green onions, tomatoes or zucchini. Try my summer corn and zucchini frittata.
- Shredded cheese: I also add shredded cheese to the frittata. You can use cheddar, cheddar jack, mozzarella, feta or any cheese that you like.
How To Make Ricotta Frittata Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Step 2- Heat olive oil in a 10-inch skillet (make sure it's an oven-proof skillet, like a cast-iron skillet) over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic, cooking until softened. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown, then stir in spinach until wilted.
- Step 3- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet.
- Step 4- Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese on top of the frittata. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the frittata is set and golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Remove skillet from oven. Cool slightly, then cut into wedges and serve.
Chef's Tips
- I like to dollop the ricotta cheese on top of the frittata so that you get some yummy bites with the creamy cheese. If you prefer, you can stir the ricotta into the egg mixture.
- Be sure to use an oven-safe skillet. I like using a cast iron skillet. To prevent sticking, make sure the skillet is well greased.
- Customize this ricotta frittata recipe with whatever additional ingredients you like. You can add meat like sausage or diced chicken, different veggies like bell peppers or zucchini, or different herbs and cheeses.
Recipe FAQs
Let the frittata cool completely and then slice it into individual portions. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. This method allows you to easily thaw and reheat individual servings as needed. You can freeze a frittata for up to 2-3 months for the best quality.
You can reheat a frittata in the oven, microwave or skillet. To reheat in the oven, bake in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. For reheating in the microwave, place slices on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high in 30-second intervals until heated through. To heat in a skillet, place a frittata slice in a skillet with a little olive oil and cook over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until heated through.
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Recipe
Ricotta Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- ⅓ cup 2% or whole milk
- ¾ cup reduced fat shredded cheese like cheddar, cheddar jack or mozzarella
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup sundried tomatoes chopped
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper together.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until soft, a few minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until browned, another few minutes. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Pour the egg mixture into skillet. Place dollops of ricotta cheese over the surface of the eggs. Transfer the skillet to the oven.
- Bake until eggs are just set, 12-15 minutes. Remove skillet from oven. Let cool slightly. Then, cut into wedges and serve.
Notes
- I like to dollop the ricotta cheese on top of the frittata so that you get some yummy bites with the creamy cheese. If you prefer, you can stir the ricotta into the egg mixture.
- Be sure to use an oven-safe skillet. I like using a cast iron skillet. To prevent sticking, make sure the skillet is well greased.
- Customize this recipe with whatever ingredients you like. You can add meat like sausage or diced chicken, different veggies like bell peppers or zucchini, or different herbs and cheeses.
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