Ham & Leek Quiche
A buttery pastry crust filled with a silky custard, sautéed leeks, diced ham, and melted cheese. This quiche is a French-inspired comfort dish that’s also great made ahead.
⏱ Time
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 35–40 minutes
Total: ~1 hour (plus optional chilling for pastry)
Ingredients
For the Pastry (or use store-bought shortcrust)
1 ¼ cups (160 g) plain flour
½ tsp salt
½ cup (115 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
3–4 tbsp ice water
For the Filling
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large leek, white & light green parts only, thinly sliced
1 cup (150 g) cooked ham, diced
1 cup (100 g) grated cheese (Gruyère, Swiss, or cheddar)
For the Custard
3 large eggs
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Pinch nutmeg (optional, for French flavor)
Instructions
1. Make the Pastry
1. In a bowl, mix flour and salt.
2. Rub olive oil into flour until it looks like coarse crumbs.
3. Add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, until dough comes together.
4. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes (optional but helps prevent shrinkage).
2. Blind-Bake the Crust
1. Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
2. Roll pastry to fit a 9-inch (23 cm) tart or quiche pan.
3. Press into the pan, trim edges, and prick base with a fork.
4. Line with baking paper, fill with baking beans or rice, and bake for 12 minutes.
5. Remove paper and weights, bake 5 more minutes until lightly golden.
3. Prepare the Filling
1. In a skillet, put olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add leeks, cook for 5–6 minutes until soft but not browned.
3. Stir in diced ham, cook for 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Make the Custard
1. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
5. Assemble the Quiche
1. Spread leek and ham mixture evenly over the pastry base.
2. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. Pour custard over filling.
6. Bake
1. Reduce oven to 180°C / 350°F.
2. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until set in the center and lightly golden.
7. Serve
Cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
You can swap ham for cooked bacon or smoked turkey.
Add a handful of chopped herbs like parsley or chives for freshness.
This quiche can be frozen — just bake, cool, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition information
Calories: ~370 kcal
Protein: 15 g
Carbs: 25 g
Fat: 23 g
Fiber: 1 g