Easy Crustless Sausage, Kale, And Ricotta Quiche Recipe for Brunch

Quiche enhances ordinary ingredients into a spectacular meal that bursts with unexpected flavors and textures.

crustless variations eliminate traditional pastry constraints, offering a lighter, more health-conscious approach to this classic dish.

Savory combinations of hearty greens, protein-rich meats, and creamy cheese create a satisfying culinary experience that transcends typical breakfast fare.

Bold seasonings and thoughtful ingredient selection elevate this recipe from mundane to memorable.

Nutritious elements blend seamlessly, promising a delightful balance of robust and delicate tastes.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques infuse each bite with rich, comforting sensations that feel both familiar and innovative.

Robust and nourishing, this recipe promises a delectable journey for adventurous home cooks.

Why Crustless Sausage, Kale, and Ricotta Quiche Is a Brunch Hero

• Boost Protein Power: Packed with hearty sausage and protein-rich eggs, this crustless quiche delivers a satisfying meal that keeps you full and energized throughout the day.
• Quick Veggie Punch: Kale adds a nutritious green boost, providing earthy flavors and tons of vitamins while keeping the dish light and healthy.
• Effortless Cooking Method: No pie crust needed means less prep time and fewer dishes, making this a perfect weeknight dinner or lazy weekend brunch option that comes together quickly and easily.
• Customizable Comfort: The recipe allows easy swaps for different meats, cheeses, or seasonings, giving you flexibility to match your taste preferences without complicated cooking techniques.

The Ingredients That Make This Crustless Quiche So Good

• Sausage: Hearty protein that adds rich, savory flavor to the quiche, choose a high-quality ground sausage for best taste.
• Kale: Nutrient-dense leafy green that provides earthy flavor and extra nutrition, opt for fresh, crisp kale leaves.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, soft cheese that creates smooth texture and adds light, delicate flavor, select fresh ricotta for best results.
• Pecorino Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides depth and tangy finish, great for adding complex flavor profile.
• Eggs, Egg Whites: Core binding agents that create structure and richness, use fresh, room temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• Milk: Liquid that helps create smooth, custardy texture, whole milk recommended for richer consistency.

• Shallot: Delicate onion-like ingredient that provides subtle sweetness, choose firm and compact shallots.
• Garlic: Aromatic that enhances overall flavor, select fresh garlic cloves for most intense taste.
• Basil: Fragrant herb that adds fresh, bright note, use fresh basil leaves for maximum flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that provides depth and complexity, ensures consistent herbal profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance other ingredients, use freshly ground black pepper for best taste.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat that prevents sticking and adds subtle flavor, choose extra virgin olive oil.

How to Bake Crustless Sausage, Kale, and Ricotta Quiche with Ease

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Dish

Warm up the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a casserole dish with cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage

In a large skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Once fully cooked, transfer the sausage to the prepared casserole dish.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

• Chopped kale
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook for 2-3 minutes until kale becomes tender. Move the vegetable mixture into the casserole dish.

Step 4: Create the Egg Mixture

• Eggs
• Egg whites
• Milk
• Basil
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper
• Pecorino cheese

Pour this mixture into the casserole dish and gently mix all ingredients.

Step 5: Add Cheese Toppings

Scatter ricotta dollops throughout the quiche. Sprinkle the remaining pecorino cheese on top.

Step 6: Bake and Finish

Bake for 45-60 minutes until the center is completely set. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Tips to Keep Quiche Creamy Without a Crust

• Boost Sausage Flavor: Brown the sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich caramelized notes that enhance the overall taste of the quiche.
• Maximize Kale Texture: Sauté kale just until wilted to maintain its vibrant color and prevent soggy, overcooked greens.
• Prevent Watery Quiche: Gently pat down excess moisture from sausage and kale before adding to the dish to ensure a firm, creamy consistency.
• Perfect Cheese Distribution: Scatter ricotta dollops evenly and gently fold pecorino throughout the mixture for balanced, melty cheese in every bite.
• Achieve Ideal Doneness: Check the quiche's center with a knife; it should come out clean and the surface should be golden and slightly puffy when perfectly baked.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Your Crustless Quiche

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate the quiche in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent moisture loss and protect flavor. Separate portions with parchment paper to make reheating easier.
• Reheat Method 1 – Oven: Warm individual slices at 325°F for 10-15 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning and retain moisture. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Reheat Method 2 – Microwave: Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking between each to prevent overheating. Rotate the plate for even warming.

What to Serve with Sausage, Kale, and Ricotta Quiche

• Brew a Bold Breakfast Companion: Pair this hearty quiche with a robust Italian roast coffee that complements the rich sausage and pecorino cheese flavors.
• Sip a Crisp Wine Counterpart: Choose a bright Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the dish's richness and enhance its herbal undertones.
• Create a Fresh Salad Sidekick: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add zesty brightness that balances the quiche's savory profile.
• Serve a Tangy Yogurt Accent: Add a small side of Greek yogurt with fresh herbs to provide a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, spiced quiche.

Flavorful Variations of This Protein-Packed Quiche

• Veggie Powerhouse Quiche: Replace sausage with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a vegetarian-friendly version packed with colorful nutrients.
• Mediterranean Magic Quiche: Swap kale for Swiss chard and add crumbled feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Protein Punch Quiche: Substitute sausage with diced chicken breast or turkey, and incorporate quinoa for an extra protein boost and added texture.
• Spicy Southwest Quiche: Replace Italian seasonings with chili powder, cumin, and add diced green chiles, chorizo, and pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern kick.

Crustless Sausage, Kale, And Ricotta Quiche Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crustless sausage, kale, and ricotta quiche delivers a protein-packed Mediterranean-inspired breakfast delight. Hearty Italian sausage mingles with nutrient-dense kale and creamy ricotta, creating a low-carb morning meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Primary Protein Ingredients:

• 5 eggs
• 3 egg whites
• 0.5 pound Italian chicken or turkey sausage
• 0.5 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup grated pecorino cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 3 cups chopped kale
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 cup low-fat milk (or milk of choice)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and thoroughly coat a 9-inch by 13-inch (23 centimeters by 33 centimeters) casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, methodically breaking it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon until completely browned and no pink remains.
3. Transfer the fully cooked sausage to the prepared casserole dish, ensuring an even distribution.
4. Clean the skillet and add olive oil, rotating to create a uniform coating. Heat until shimmering, then introduce minced shallots and sauté for approximately 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
5. Add chopped kale and minced garlic to the skillet, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the kale becomes tender and slightly wilted.
6. Carefully transfer the kale mixture into the casserole dish, mixing it gently with the cooked sausage.
7. In a large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together whole eggs, egg whites, whole milk, chopped fresh basil, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and of grated pecorino cheese until thoroughly combined.
8. Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and kale, stirring to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
9. Randomly place small dollops of ricotta cheese throughout the quiche, then sprinkle the remaining of pecorino cheese evenly across the top.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until the center is completely set and the edges are golden brown.
11. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

• Prep smartly by crumbling sausage and wilting kale beforehand to reduce overall cooking time.
• Layer ingredients carefully in the casserole dish to ensure even distribution of flavors and textures.
• Choose fresh, high-quality kale and Italian sausage for maximum taste and nutritional impact.
• Allow the quiche to rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make slicing easier.
• Swap ingredients like spinach for kale or use different cheese varieties for personalized variations.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 204 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 434 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 187 mg