No matter what meal of the day you are cooking for, eggs are an outstanding option. This stunning vegetable frittata is made with asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and feta done in a flash!

Having frittata for lunch? Make it a complete meal with Cream of Broccoli Soup with Smoked Gouda!

Vegetable frittata in a cast iron pan cut into quarters

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If this dish had an feeling attached to it, it would be the one you get when wearing a warm sweater on a cold evening. Or perhaps the sensation of curling up in front of a warm fire with a cup of team.

It’s that good, that comforting, that satisfying. Must be something about the the eggs, cooked with a thoughtful combination of vegetables, that just feels so right!

Frittata recipes

Eggs get slapped with a ‘breakfast’ label, but I’m not sure why. There are so many fantastic ways to eat eggs throughout the day, so why wouldn’t we?

There are a lot of ways to do this, but a frittata is a great place to start. A good frittata is moist and creamy with a medley of flavours

To make a good thing even better, a frittata recipe is endlessly adaptable so you can use whatever ingredients are available and the flavours you love the most. I often turn to frittata when my fridge needs a clear out because I can use whatever I find!

I have a few more ready for you to try, including Potato Frittata with Taleggio Cheese, Broccoli Frittata with Aged Cheddar and Bacon, and the wonderful Persian Herb Frittata.

Vegetable frittata with a quarter slice removed

What is a frittata?

The word ‘frittata’ comes from Italy and originally mean eggs fried in all sorts of ways. It wasn’t until fairly recently that it has been used in the way we are used to.

It now refers to an egg dish that is cooked primarily in an oven and is stuffed with vegetables and other ingredients. Frittata isn’t folded like an omelette and doesn’t have a crust like a quiche, although it has things in common with both. One key difference is that the frittata is whisked a bit more to add air and create a fluffier consistency.

There are absolutely no rules about what can go in a frittata. And because it is cooked at a fairly low heat and not flipped at any point, the eggs remain soft and moist.

Ingredients

I started this recipe as an asparagus frittata because I love how the freshness of asparagus shines through the savoury eggs. I also added mushrooms and spinach to really punch up the vegetable content.

For savoury recipes like this, feta just works so well every time. The tang and saltiness of feta keep recipes from becoming bland or one-note. Just a little goes a long way!

But what really made this frittata sing was the addition of pesto. I happened to have a jar of harissa pesto that I’ve been dying to use, but really any pesto will be worth trying. Adding basil or sun-dried tomato pesto to this asparagus frittata would taste amazing and completely transform the recipe!

Recipe tips and notes

Pull out a cast iron pan when it is time to make a frittata. This it allows you to start on the stovetop and finish in the oven while using the same pan. An ovenproof skillet will also do the job.
The spinach in this frittata can be replaced by kale or omitted completely. Kale does take longer to cook, so add it to the pan slightly earlier.
Tenderstem broccoli/ broccolini can be used in place of asparagus.
Tomatoes are a fantastic choice for a frittata! Cut the cherry tomatoes in half or slice larger tomatoes then add along with the eggs before the frittata is put in the oven. No need to cook first!
I used harissa pesto and feta cheese because both were available to me and flavours I love. But any pesto and almost any cheese can be used with great results. An aged cheddar would be lovely!
An overcooked frittata, like any overcooked eggs, can be dry and unpleasant to eat. Take it out of the oven as soon the eggs have puffed up and set and before they have become hard.

four photos showing how to assemble the dish in a cast iron pan

Serving suggestions

Frittata works for any meal of the day, which is especially welcome on days when you want to keep things simple.

For anything other than breakfast I would round out the meal with a fresh side salad and toasted sourdough. Whatever you do, keep it simple. Frittata is all about convenience!

Storage and leftovers

Frittata is pretty spectacular whether hot or cold, so you can’t go wrong by making some for the days ahead. It’ll store in your fridge for up to three days. Keep it under plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

More brunch recipes