This ham and cheese quiche is easy to make with a pre-made pie crust, creamy eggs and a savory ham and cheese filling. Perfect for brunch and a great way to use up leftover ham!

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This Ham Quiche Recipe is a Family Favorite
Leftover baked ham is one of the best problems to have, especially when this ham and cheese quiche is on the menu. We make it every year after Easter alongside our frittata and breakfast pie, and it disappears faster than the ham did the first time around.
Think of it as the loaded version of a classic quiche lorraine with the same silky egg custard, same flaky crust, but packed with ham, crispy bacon, spinach, and a dough cheese blend. It takes 45 minutes start to finish and you don’t need to make the crust from scratch. This ham and cheese quiche is pure brunch comfort.
Ingredient Notes

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Pie crust: Store-bought works great here and honestly, I use it every time. If you want to go homemade, my easy pie crust recipe is worth the extra effort for special occasions.
- Butter: Just a tablespoon, but it makes a difference when you’re caramelizing the onions. Don’t skip it.
- Onions: Yellow onions are my go-to. They mellow out beautifully and add a subtle sweetness to the filling.
- Ham: Leftover honey baked ham or crockpot spiral ham is what I reach for first. A store-bought ham steak works perfectly fine on any other day.
- Eggs: Large eggs only. The size actually matters for getting the custard ratio right.
- Half and half: This is what makes the filling so creamy. Whole milk works in a pinch but half and half is worth it.
- Cheese: I use a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella or Parmesan and I think the combo is what makes this quiche stand out. Gruyere or Swiss are great swaps.
- Spinach: It blends right into the filling and you barely notice it’s there, which is exactly the point.
- Parsley: A small amount but it adds a nice pop of color. Fresh or dried both work.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground makes a noticeable difference here.
- Bacon: Optional but I always add it. The salty crispy bits throughout the quiche are really good.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Quiche
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and half and half until fully combined. This is your custard base and it’s worth taking an extra minute to get it smooth.


Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and cook the onions, ham, and bacon until the onions have caramelized. Cool slightly before adding it to the egg mixture.
Stir the shredded cheeses, parsley, pepper, spinach, and ham mixture into the eggs. You want everything evenly distributed so every slice gets a bit of everything.




Pour the filling into your parbaked pie crust. I always set it on a baking sheet before it goes in the oven, a spill in a hot oven is no fun.
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set. I check mine with a toothpick, if it comes out clean, it’s done. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.

Tips for a Perfect Ham and Cheese Quiche
- Prebake the crust: This is the step people skip and then wonder why their quiche is soggy. Five minutes in the oven before adding the filling makes a real difference.
- Egg-to-milk ratio: I use 2/3 cup of half and half for every 5 eggs, which gives you a thick, creamy set. Add a splash more if you prefer a lighter texture.
- Flat crust: Use pie weights or a handful of dried beans when prebaking. It keeps the bottom from puffing up and losing its shape.
- Crustless option: Skip the crust entirely and make my crustless quiche instead. It’s just as good and naturally gluten free.
- Add-ins: Green onions, mushrooms, or broccoli all work well if you want to mix it up.
- Tart pan vs pie dish: A tart pan gives you cleaner slices and makes it easier to release. Either works though.
- Let it rest: Give it at least 5 minutes before slicing. It firms up as it cools and you’ll get much cleaner pieces.

More breakfast recipes to try include this crescent roll breakfast casserole, quiche lorraine or breakfast sliders!
More Breakfast Recipes

Easy Ham and Cheese Quiche
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 10-inch uncooked pie crust
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- ½ cup yellow onion , chopped
- 1 cup ham , cubed (use a ham steak or leftover ham)
- ¼ cup cooked bacon , cut into pieces (optional)
- 5 large eggs
- ⅔ cup half-and-half , or whole milk
- 1 cup finely shredded sharp or mild cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2-1 cup spinach , chopped
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Parbake pie crust. Press the dough around the edges of a 9-inch tart pan or pie dish. Place on a baking sheet. Pierce the bottom of the pie crust with a fork. Bake for 5 minutes and then remove from oven. Set aside.
- Saute. In a small frying pan, melt 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup onions and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup ham and 1/4 cup bacon pieces and cook an additional 3 minutes, or until the onions have caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Make egg filling. In a large bowl, whisk together 5 eggs and 2/3 cup half-and-half. Stir in 1 cup cheddar, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 – 1 cup spinach, and the ham mixture. Pour into the tart pan.
- Bake. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Enjoy while warm!
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Cindy
Super easy, delicious and the prettiest Quiche I’ve ever made.
Jamielyn
So glad to hear!
Tana
This is the first quiche I have made. It was so simple and delicious !
Jamielyn
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Karin J
I tried this recipe without the spinach. Everyone loved it, even my little granddaughter. Next time I will make two quiche so we can have leftover. It was scrumptious.
Jamielyn
So glad! I make without spinach for my kids too, they love it :)
Gladys Pérez
Very good
M. Boothe
I made this for a pot luck and it was a huge success.
Anita
I made this using my leftover Christmas ham. It was delicious. I will definitely make again.
Jamielyn
So glad to hear you loved it :)
Arpita Patel
It was a great crust and so easy. Before i read the directions, i got out a mixing bowl. Then, WOW, no need for a mixing bowl. Boy was i happy; one less dish to clean. I think that for fruit pies, i might add a little more sugar. but for all others, it was great
Glojean
The best recipe ever, very tasty, came out to need two pie shells, more to enjoy.
Jamielyn
Glad you enjoyed the quiche :)
Lois
Could make ahead of time and then freeze?
Jamielyn
I haven’t tried freezing this, but I think it would work great!
Allyson Zea
This would be great for breakfast or dinner! I love this recipe!
Abeer
This pie looks fabulous! I want this for brunch this weekend!
Catalina
This is my favorite appetizer pie! This needs to happen!
Katerina @ diethood .com
This looks amazing!! Perfect for weekend brunch!! YUM!
Sabrina
This is exactly how I want to start my day! Love that it’s fully loaded and totally delicious.
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish
Can’t believe this only takes ten minutes to throw together!! Perfect!
Sharon Miklos-Thompson
Used your recipe for Quiche & Crust as a basis for a DELICIOUS Quiche! We had leftover honey baked ham so used it w bacon, an assortment of great mushrooms, shallots, & a combo of Swiss, Tillamook Cheddar & Parmesan w Eggs & Heavy Cream. I didn’t use butter flavor shortening, & the crust came out superb. Sandy & crisp, it is a crust recipe I’ll use forever, unless a better one comes along (which I doubt). A 5+++ Star recipe that you can adapt to your tastes & ingredients on hand. Thanks, Naptime!!!!
Jamielyn
Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed this quiche! :)
Cassie
Made as instructed (cooked for 35 minutes), and the result was delicious!!
Jamielyn
So glad you enjoyed these! :)
Carla Angley
I’m making this using deep dish pie crust. Do I need to cook it longer?
Jamielyn
I haven’t tried making it in a deep dish pie crust, but I would assume so! Just watch it until a toothpick comes out clean. :)