There’s something timeless and comforting about a slice of quiche, especially when it’s loaded with vibrant vegetables, creamy custard, and golden pastry. Whether you’re hosting brunch, packing a picnic, or just craving a simple yet hearty meal, a vegetarian quiche is always a winner.
BBC Good Food is renowned for its approachable, delicious recipes, and their vegetarian quiche recipes are no exception. In this post, I’ll share a detailed, step-by-step guide inspired by BBC Good Food’s classic vegetarian quiche — perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
You’ll discover tips for a flaky crust, a rich filling, and ideas to make this dish your own. Plus, if you’re looking for even more vegetarian inspiration, I’ll link to some of my other favorite recipes for healthy, flavor-packed meals.
Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegetarian quiche recipe is a celebration of seasonal produce, creamy cheese, and buttery pastry. It’s incredibly versatile — serve it hot from the oven, at room temperature, or even cold the next day.
Packed with protein and vegetables, it’s a nourishing main or side dish that suits brunch, lunch, dinner, or picnics.
What sets this recipe apart is its crowd-pleasing appeal. Whether you’re sharing with vegetarians, omnivores, or picky eaters, everyone will enjoy the savory custard, tender veggies, and golden crust.
Plus, it’s simple to customize: swap in your favorite cheeses, vegetables, or herbs to make it uniquely yours.
“Quiche is the answer to every meal dilemma—quick, filling, and endlessly adaptable.”
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make a classic BBC Good Food-inspired vegetarian quiche. For extra clarity, I’ve organized the ingredient list in a table for easy reference:
Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Shortcrust pastry | 320g | Ready-made or homemade |
Olive oil | 1 tbsp | For sautéing |
Red onion | 1 medium | Thinly sliced |
Red bell pepper | 1 medium | Diced |
Courgette (zucchini) | 1 small | Thinly sliced |
Cherry tomatoes | 100g | Halved |
Baby spinach | 70g | Roughly chopped |
Eggs | 4 large | Room temperature |
Double cream | 200ml | Or heavy cream |
Milk | 100ml | Whole or semi-skimmed |
Gruyère cheese | 75g | Grated |
Cheddar cheese | 50g | Grated |
Salt & pepper | To taste | |
Fresh basil or parsley | A handful | Chopped, optional |
Equipment
- 23cm tart tin (with removable base)
- Baking parchment
- Baking beans (or dried rice/beans for blind baking)
- Rolling pin (if using homemade pastry)
- Sharp knife and chopping board
- Non-stick frying pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Grater
- Oven
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry base. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or 400°F. Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface to fit your 23cm tart tin. Carefully line the tin with the pastry, pressing it into the corners and trimming any excess. Prick the base with a fork.
- Blind bake the pastry. Lay a sheet of baking parchment over the pastry and fill it with baking beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the beans and parchment, and bake for a further 5 minutes until the base is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the vegetables. While the pastry is baking, heat olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until softened.
- Add the peppers and courgette. Stir in the diced red pepper and sliced courgette, cooking for 5 more minutes until softened. Add the baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until just wilted. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
- Mix the custard filling. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, double cream, and milk until fully combined. Stir in grated Gruyère and Cheddar cheese, a pinch of salt, and black pepper.
- Assemble the quiche. Spread the cooked vegetables evenly over the pastry base. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes on top. Pour over the egg and cheese mixture, ensuring the filling is evenly distributed.
- Bake the quiche. Reduce oven temperature to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F. Place the quiche on a baking tray and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is just set and lightly golden on top.
- Cool and garnish. Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Carefully release from the tin and transfer to a cooling rack. Scatter with chopped fresh basil or parsley, if using.
- Serve and enjoy. Slice and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Pair with a crisp green salad or your favorite sides.
Tips & Variations
- Make it your own: Swap in any seasonal vegetables you love — think asparagus, leeks, mushrooms, or roasted butternut squash.
- Cheese swap: Try feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Go crustless: For a lighter option, skip the pastry and bake the filling in a well-greased dish.
- Dairy-free: Use your favorite dairy-free cheeses and plant-based cream for a vegan adaptation. Pair with this Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for extra creaminess.
- Add herbs: Fresh thyme, dill, or chives add a fragrant touch to the filling.
- Make ahead: Quiche can be made a day in advance and reheated gently, or served cold for busy days or picnics.
“Don’t overfill the pastry case to avoid spills—leave a little room at the top for the custard to rise and set beautifully.”
Nutrition Facts
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving (1 of 8 slices):
Nutrient | Per Serving |
---|---|
Calories | 300 |
Protein | 11g |
Carbohydrates | 23g |
Fat | 18g |
Saturated Fat | 8g |
Fiber | 2g |
Sugar | 4g |
Sodium | 320mg |
These values are estimates and will vary based on exact ingredients and serving sizes. For a lower-calorie option, use reduced-fat cream and cheese, or try a crustless version.
Serving Suggestions
This vegetarian quiche is a true all-rounder, perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:
- Classic brunch: Serve warm with a crisp green salad, roasted potatoes, and a side of fresh fruit.
- Picnic fare: Slice and pack into lunchboxes with cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, and a wedge of Vegetable Crackers.
- Light dinner: Pair with Low Calorie Vegetable Soup and a slice of crusty bread.
- Entertaining: Cut into bite-sized squares for finger food at parties or gatherings.
- Meal prep: Store slices in the fridge for up to 3 days, reheating gently or enjoying cold.
“Leftover quiche makes a stellar packed lunch—just add salad and you’re set!”
Conclusion
Vegetarian quiche truly embodies everything we love about home cooking: it’s comforting, flexible, and brings people together. This BBC Good Food-inspired recipe is a fantastic way to celebrate fresh vegetables and creamy, cheesy custard, all cradled in a flaky pastry shell.
With its simple steps, make-ahead versatility, and endless room for creativity, it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen.
Ready to explore more delicious vegetarian recipes? Check out these favorites for your next meal inspiration: Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals, Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious, and Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas.
However you choose to serve your quiche, enjoy every bite — and don’t forget to share your creations!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian Quiche
Description: A delicious and easy vegetarian quiche packed with fresh vegetables and creamy cheese. Perfect for lunch, picnics, or a light dinner.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT40M
Total Time: PT1H
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 sheet ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 100g baby spinach
- 4 large eggs
- 200ml double cream
- 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 100g mature cheddar cheese, grated
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
- Line a 23cm tart tin with the pastry and trim the edges.
- Blind bake the pastry for 15 minutes, then remove baking beans.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and cook onion and pepper for 5 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, then remove from heat.
- Whisk eggs and cream together, season with salt and pepper.
- Spread cooked vegetables over the pastry base.
- Pour egg mixture over vegetables, top with tomatoes and cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes until set and golden.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 25 g | Carbs: 22 g
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