Bacon and Cheese Quiche Tart
So, it seems as though I might live in a tiny bit of a bubble. A few months ago, my husband and I were watching an episode of Rock Center with Brian Williams and they were running a story about how so many people in our society live in a bubble. They were featuring an author who had written a book on the subject, and who also created an online quiz, called “How Thick Is Your Bubble?” As soon as the segment was over, my husband hopped on his computer and I jumped on my laptop to take the quiz. “Of course I don’t live in a bubble, fun quiz time!” is what was bouncing around in my head. Twenty questions later, I hit the submit button and was presented with my results. It said that my bubble is so thick that I don’t realize I’m even in one. Whaaaaaaat?? Talk about BURSTING a bubble!
That’s not all. How many of you watch Parks and Recreation? I’m convinced that Ron Swanson is, by far, the most awesome character on TV right now. Everything that comes out of his mouth is gold. My husband coyly mentioned during the season finale that there are some similarities between me and Ron Swanson and while I feign insult, the truth is, it’s pretty spot-on. Bubble? Check. Not big on change? Check. Avoids public masses? Check. I suppose there are worse TV characters to be compared to ;-)
When I started thinking about recipes for Memorial Day weekend, which is usually all about cookouts and picnics, and my husband suggested quiche, I almost fell over. What? Quiche for picnic food?! Quiche is brunch food. Holiday brunch food. Baby shower and wedding shower brunch food. Definitely not picnic food. Picnic food is hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon, and a dessert that invariably involves Cool Whip. He disagreed, and set out Googling. Turns out, apparently, that quiche is a pretty common item on a lot of picnic menus, and it seems to be especially popular for picnics in the UK. Okay, so I live in a bubble. I concede. I’ll make that quiche, and I’ll raise you some bacon and cheese.
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I loved this quiche recipe for many reasons, but especially because it was baked in a tart pan, instead of the traditional pie plate. Maybe it’s just me, but I think anything baked in a tart pan with that perfectly scalloped pie crust is instantly gorgeous. When that crust is filled with a creamy mixture that includes lots of bacon and cheese? Gorgeous and delicious. I was shocked by how quickly you could throw this recipe together. I mixed the crust in 5 minutes, and was able to assemble the filling while the crust was in the oven. It took nearly zero effort, and I was rewarded with the trifecta of pie crust, bacon, and cheese. It’s hard to beat that! I’m happy to be working my way out of my bubble, and will now add this quiche recipe to potential picnic recipes in the future.
Does anyone else out there live in a bubble?! Also, does anyone else think that Ron Swanson is awesome?
One year ago: Mushroom Barley Risotto
Two years ago: Honey-Oatmeal Sandwich Bread
Four years ago: Homemade Pita Bread
Five years ago: Taco Rice Salad
Bacon and Cheese Quiche Tart
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1¼ cups (156.25 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces
- 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening, cold, cut into small pieces
- 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
Filling:
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) thick-sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 eggs
- 1½ cups (357 ml) heavy cream
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) Swiss cheese, shredded (about 1 cup shredded)
- Pinch nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Make the Crust: Whisk together the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Cut the butter and the shortening into the flour mixture with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Using a rubber spatula, stir in just enough water to bind. Gather into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch tart pan. Gently fit the dough into the tart pan and trim any excess off the edge by rolling the rolling pin over top of the pan. Prick the bottom all over with a fork. Line with parchment paper and fill the tart pan with pie weights. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and pie weights and continue baking until the crust is golden brown, 5 to 10 more minutes.
- Make the Filling: While the crust bakes prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, Swiss cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. When the crust comes out of the oven, immediately sprinkle the bacon over the bottom crust, and then slowly pour the egg mixture over the bacon to fill the crust. Bake until the quiche is puffed and brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Cover leftovers and store in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I find so many wonderful recipes on your site. I especially love the quiche Lorraine, where chives replace onion. I plan to make this bacon and egg quiche in my 11” tart pan. Can you advise me on adding perhaps more egg or cream to fill this size pan versus the 9’ pie plate? I only have this size in a tart pan and I wish I could find more recipes for this size. Thank you for any assistance in tweaking your quiche recipes to fit this size tart pan.
Hi Jennie, An 11-inch tart pan actually holds the same amount of volume as a standard 9-inch pie plate (4 cups). So you should be just fine with the ingredients listed, though since it is a bit shallower, the baking time may be less. Enjoy the quiche!
Sorry this is here, but I’m looking for a recipe that I saw on the web and it keeps bringing me to your site but then saying the page is gone. Can you help me find the spinach, mushroom, gruyere crustless quiche recipe that you May have posted before? Thanks
This was GREAT! Everyone loved it. My son wanted sausage instead of bacon, and I added spinach. I’ve made it three more times do far.
Seriously, your recipes are magic! No matter how much I mess them up or substitute with what I have in the house, they still turn out great. I used spinach instead of bacon (sad), cheddar instead of swiss, UHT whole milk instead of cream (super sad), and a pie pan instead of a tart pan… and somehow I’m still eating the best quiche I’ve tasted in a really long time. Thank you for making me a baker!
Aww you are too sweet Joy! I’m glad you enjoyed the quiche!
Hi Michelle! I know you just updated your blog, which I follow regularly, so this may be due to the changes…but I cannot view the actual recipe part to this quiche. I tried to reload and revisit this page and it still won’t show up. When you had a moment, could you please send me the recipe if that’s easier than trying to repost it? Thanks kindly! -Michelle.
Hi Michelle, So sorry for that inconvenience! That was a glitch with the redesign, but the recipe is back up now. Enjoy!
Thanks a lot. :)
I love this recipe. I also love spinach in quiche. Could I add that in?
Yes, definitely! Just make sure if you use frozen or if you cook it, that you squeeze out as much liquid as possible before adding it.
Hi. Would fresh spinach ve ok to add?
Yes, for sure!
Can this be made by substituting the bacon with chicken? (non-bacon eater here!)
Hi Rida, Yes, I don’t see why not! Enjoy!
Apparently I can see out of my bubble, but I need to get out more. Problem is, all the things I’m interested in getting out to do would probably more firmly entrench me in my bubble, so… Oh well. Interesting quiz, though!
Ummm….. made this weekend in regular pie shell, turned out great!!! Baked an extra 10 minutes for the thicker layer.
Oh and where is the cheese:) in the recipe? ‘whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, eggs’ did I miss the cheese somewhere or did you layer in bottom like the bacon?
Great Job!!! Tracy
Hi Tracy, Gah! The cheese gets whisked together with the eggs and cream. My apologies for the error; making the edit to correct it right now! Thank you for catching that!
I thought I would score pretty badly on the bubble quiz considering I’m a borderline hipster, liberal elitist but apparently I’ve had a lot of exposure to the rest of America! Nice!
I think when most Americans think of picnic foods, they think of the items you’ve listed too. They’re very stereotypical but those of us who are not white, generally supplement those classic dishes with our own cultural foods. And besides, food has really taken off. Now, it’s not all too uncommon to find galbi or an umami burger made with fish sauce at a typical picnic, even when surrounded by white people.
I adore Parks & Rec too. Ron Swanson is such a great character. he is married in real life to Megan Malllely, the one who plays his ex-wife on the show. They are so funny together.
this looks excellent. I love a good quiche or anything like it.
Oh I am sure my bubble is really thick, but I was too busy looking at this gorgeous tart to take the quiz!
bacon, eggs, quiche, tart all yummy words! mouthwatering photo’s and as always entertaining to be here… ;) I off to take the bubble test, lol
ron swanson rocks my world. I would love to hang out with him for one day, but he wouldn’t like that, would he?
I love quiche and I love the idea of putting the crust in a tart pan instead =)
Great looking quiche and even better story! I thought my bubble would be pretty thick, but apparently I’m apart of the new upper class and have plenty exposure to the rest of America!
Lovely! I adore quiches, they are so simple and SO good!
I guess I am living in a bubble too, because I’ve never thought to bring quiche to a picnic! Also, the fact that this crust takes 5 minutes to put together has me totally intrigued!
What a great looking quiche! Love that you added a hint of nutmeg, too! Thanks for sharing. Also, I’m having a ChicWrap giveaway today that you should enter!
Don’t feel bad, I took the quiz and apparently live in a bubble too, though apparently I can see through mine :) I’ve never considered quiche as a picnic food, but it’s a great idea! This one sounds amazing, what’s not to love about bacon and cheese?
This looks so good and the recipe will go on my “to try” list..as have many others of yours. BTW..I don’t even have a bubble. Maybe cause I’m so old, lol.
Mmmm… bacon… And I like the idea of making it in a tart pan so it’s not so thick.
I know Josh would devour this!
So, apparently I don’t even have a bubble! But I don’t even know who this Ron Swanson character is! So much for not living in a bubble!
I’ve never made quiche but I have all the ingredients for this one. Think I’ll make it for the long holiday weekend. Don’t want to be accussed of living in a culinary bubble!
I’m not even American and I was offended by that quiz. Rather than showing interest in a variety of hobbies, books, movies or what have you, everyone all go hunting, watch loud, nonsensical and frankly bad movies and drink cheap beer?
This quiz should be called “How much of a stereotypical American redneck are you” rather than trying to convince anyone not interested in Oprah, smoking or pickup trucks that they’re acting like elitists.
I have a strong mind to create an “How uncultured are you?” poll. Hell, if I write a book about it, the controversy alone would make me millions.
Ron Swanson is probably one of the best characters on television!
Ron Swanson is my hero! He is hilarious. I think he would like this dish since it has bacon in it :) “give me all the bacon and eggs you have.” haha!