Christmas Morning Frittata

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Rest Time 5 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 6

Best Season: Winter

Description

The Christmas Morning Frittata is a vibrant and festive breakfast dish designed for holiday ease. It features a rich, egg-based custard made with heavy cream, packed with savory diced ham, sharp cheddar (or Gruyere) cheese, sautéed onions, and fresh spinach. The dish is characterized by its fluffy, puffed-up texture and golden-brown edges. A standout feature is its "make-ahead" nature; the components can be whisked together on Christmas Eve and refrigerated overnight, allowing for a stress-free morning bake. It’s a hearty, protein-packed meal that provides a beautiful, colorful centerpiece for a holiday brunch.

Ingredients

8 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheese (I recommend sharp cheddar or gruyere)
1/2 cup ½ diced ham, " cubes
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1 tbsp butter (for sautéing)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
1/4 tsp ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
Cooking spray or butter for greasing pan

Instructions

1
Christmas Eve:
2
Heat 1 tbsp butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the chopped spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
3
In a large bowl or airtight container, whisk together 8 large eggs and ½ cup heavy cream until frothy.
4
Whisk in 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp garlic powder (if using).
5
Mix-Ins: Gently stir in the cooled onion/spinach mixture, ½ cup diced ham, and ¾ cup shredded cheese.
6
Storage: Cover the mixture tightly and refrigerate overnight.
7
Christmas Morning:
8
Grease your #8 cast iron skillet generously with butter. Cut a parchment paper circle to fit the bottom of the pan and press it into place.
9
Preheat oven to 350°F
10
Pour egg mixture into prepared pan
11
Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup cheese on top
12
Bake for 25-30 minutes until center is just set (slight jiggle is okay) and edges are lightly golden (Toothpick inserted in center comes out clean)
13
The frittata will puff up in the oven—this is normal! It will settle as it cools.

Note

Pan Release: The parchment circle is key for easy lift-out/cleanup! Make sure to also butter the sides of the pan above the parchment.

Frittata Finish: If the top isn't browned enough after 25 min, hit it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching constantly!

Substitution Idea: Try diced peppers instead of ham for a vegetarian version. If adding extra wet ingredients (like mushrooms), pre-sauté them to remove moisture.

Read it online: https://brinnerbites.com/recipe/christmas-morning-frittata/