Ladies and Gents, meet the frittata of our food dreams! A frittata that packs a nutritional punch, and explodes with more flavor than one could ever imagine possible for a humble frittata.
Is it possible to explode with flavor? Hmmm, let’s just go with it!
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This frittata isn’t very photogenic, but it’s not what’s on the outside that counts, right?! In order to truly get to know this not-so-photogenic frittata, you have to peek inside–past the cheesy surface. Friend, that’s where the good stuff is scattered. The really good stuff, like: bacon, mushrooms, peppers, potatoes, and leafy greens.
This is the first frittata recipe shared on Live Simply, which is kind of a shame since a frittata is such an easy and inexpensive way to create a hearty, real food meal. So right now, I’m promising you that today’s recipe won’t be the last. More frittatas to come!
If you’re new to the world of frittata making, then you’re in for a treat. A frittata is basically, in my opinion, a bulked-up omelet. There are two main differences that set a frittata apart from an omelet:
1. The frittata starts on the stove-top and then finishes in the oven. With fifteen minutes in the oven, there’s time to clean-up, set the table, or even fold a few pieces of laundry (maybe, maybe not). Or how about just sitting down to a glass of wine, or coffee–depending on the time of day.
2. A frittata embraces its hearty fillings rather than hiding them. I’ll admit, I struggle with getting the fillings perfectly tucked inside an omelet, and then flipping that omelet without losing any of those precious fillings. With a frittata, there’s no hiding or flipping. Just pour the eggs over the veggies and meat, and embrace the rustic look that comes from having fillings scattered everywhere–kind of like living in a home with two kids ;). Embrace it, Mom!<–I’m talking to myself here.
Another way of looking at a frittata is as a bulked-down (again, is this a thing?) quiche. While I love a good quiche, there isn’t always time to make a pie crust, no matter how easy my recipe may be to pulse together. That, my friend, is when a frittata recipe comes in handy. A frittata is hearty like a quiche, just without the crust base, which means one less step and mess in the kitchen.
Today’s frittata recipe makes for a veggie-packed breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Since the frittata is so incredibly filling, you don’t really need much else to accompany a slice. Of course, if you want to create more of a “meal,” then I suggest serving the frittata alongside homemade muffins (maybe make them in advance?) or toast, raw carrots and celery, or a simple salad. I’ve also been known to sandwich a slice of frittata between two slices of sourdough toast, sprouts, and mashed avocado.
And one more suggestion…
A frittata is a great meal to prepare on a Sunday afternoon, and then enjoy throughout the week as a homemade “fast food” option. It’s easy to eat good food on a busy morning when there’s something like a frittata tucked away in the fridge.
A frittata is one of 16 different egg styles, and one to add to your meal plan often. You won’t be disappointed.
Bacon, Vegetable, and Kale Frittata
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1 tsp salt divided
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 TB chopped fresh rosemary
- 4 slices of bacon chopped
- 1 1/2 cups diced potatoes no peeling necessary (227 g)*
- 1/2 yellow onion diced (72g)
- 1 TB extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 green bell pepper diced, any color will work (74 g)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms such as: cremini or baby portabella mushrooms (60 g)
- 1 cup chopped kale remove the stems before chopping**
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
- chopped green onions optional as a garnish
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving about 1 1/2 tablespoons of fat in the skillet (I had to drain half the fat–this will depend on your bacon).
- Add the diced potatoes and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then sauté until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Add the diced onion and sauté until the onion is translucent and the potatoes are just starting to become tender.
- Drizzle the veggies with olive oil and add the garlic, then sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in the bell peppers, mushrooms and kale, sauté until the kale is wilted and the peppers and mushrooms are starting to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the bacon back to the skillet, then pour in the whisked eggs, making sure the eggs spread evenly in the skillet.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the eggs are set. The eggs will continue to cook in the next step…
- When the eggs look firm, remove the skillet from the oven and top the frittata with grated Parmesan and cheddar cheese. Switch the oven to broil and return the skillet to the oven.
- Broil, on low, until the cheese bubbles and browns slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot. Garnish the frittata with chopped green onions (optional).
Nutrition
What to Serve With This Recipe
This is a great protein-rich breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Serve this recipe on its own or with a breakfast side. Here are a few of my favorite side dishes:
- Chocolate Protein Yogurt: Super high in protein, this yogurt tastes like chocolate pudding.
- Toast: Toast and eggs are a classic. I love sourdough toast.
- Egg Sandwich: Use the egg(s) to make a sandwich.
- Overnight Oats: Make chocolate peanut butter oats or high protein overnight oats without yogurt the night before. Then serve with this recipe for a protein-rich meal.
- Avocado Toast: Top a slice of toast with mashed avocado and a squeeze of lemon juice and salt.
- Avocado Slices: For a healthy fat, add half an avocado (sliced) with lemon and salt sprinkled on top. Enjoy each bite of the omelette with a slice of avocado.
- Fruit: Serve alongside your favorite berries or seasonal fruit.
- Banana Bread: A classic, make it advance and enjoy all week for breakfast: almond flour banana bread, sourdough muffins, or maple-sweetened muffins.
- Yogurt Bowl: Serve alongside a nutrient-dense yogurt bowl.
- Bacon or Sausage Patties: Serve with oven-baked bacon or cooked sausage patties.
- Potatoes: Roast potatoes or make a sausage and potato hash.
- Pancakes or Waffles: Serve alongside sheet pan pancakes, pancake muffins, or almond-oat pancakes. Or, serve with almond flour waffles or einkorn waffles.
- Roasted Tomatoes: We visited France a few years ago and our hotel served eggs and roasted tomatoes each morning (among other things). Give it a try during the summer when fresh tomatoes are in season. Make the tomatoes in advance and warm them up in a skillet.
- Tropical Mango Pineapple Smoothie: A great source of healthy carbs, paired with this protein-rich breakfast.
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Made this yesterday morning for breakfast and it was a HIT!!! I subbed the kale for spinach because it’s what i had in the fridge, but it tasted amazing! My 6 year old son couldn’t get enough! Thanks so much for being a great inspiration Kristin!!!!
YAY! So happy your family loved it.
LS Team
I made this for my husband and myself with a few minor changes. I used broccoli florets instead of kale, whole red pepper and 2 cups sliced mushrooms. Excellent!!
Just went to the store and plan to make it again this week. Because it just the two of us we do have breakfast ready to go. Great recipe. Thanks for all your hard work.
I made this for breakfast for my wife, super delicious and the leftovers the next day were great.
That’s so great, Phil! I’m so glad you both enjoyed the frittata. Leftovers are the best :).
This looks so yummy! To make it vegetarian could I just skip the step with the bacon and add olive oil instead for the potatoes?
Also I really appreciate that you add the amount in grams. As a European I always have to do the maths with American recipes
Hey Birthe, I’m so glad the grams are helpful! I forgot to weigh the greens-sorry! Yes, you’ll just want to skip the bacon and use oil. So you’ll probably need about 2 or so tablespoons of oil to compensate for the lack of bacon grease.