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    Home » Recipes » Courses » Breakfast

    Ham, Gruyere, and Potato Frittata

    Published: December 24, 2020 by Kari · 1 Comment · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

    RECIPE ↓
    A pin image of a slice of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes on a white plate.
    A pin image of two slices of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes on a white plate.
    A pin image of two stacked slices of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes on a white plate.
    A pin image of two stacked slices of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes on a white plate.
    A pin image of two stacked slices of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes on a white plate.

    Frittatas are such a delicious and versatile meal and are a great way to use up leftovers, especially ham & cheese. They are so easy to put together and take plain, boring eggs to a whole new level.

    I love making frittatas because they are just so easy to make but taste so good! They are a great way to use up leftover ham, cheese, potatoes, vegetables - whatever is in the fridge. I like to use ham and gruyere cheese because the melty Gruyere is so good mixed in with the fluffy potatoes and it pairs so well with ham. (If you don't have ham, you can use bacon or Canadian bacon. )

    You can use any kind of cheese, but Gruyere melts the best and has a perfect mildness that isn't overpowering. (Freshly grated cheese is best - if you use a bagged shredded cheese, it won't melt as well because there are anti-clumping additives that slow down the melting process.)

    A slice of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes on a white plate.
    PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

    🥘 Ingredient Notes

    The ingredients in a ham, potato, and cheese frittata, laid out and labeled.
    • Salted Butter
    • Onion, diced
    • Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced
    • Eggs
    • Heavy Cream
    • Gruyere Cheese (I also added a little Asiago to add a little bite)
    • Leftover Ham or Bacon, diced
    • Kosher Salt
    • Ground Black Pepper

    🍽 Equipment Needed

    • A 10 - 12 inch Oven-Safe Skillet or Frying Pan (I like to use cast iron or Calphalon)
    • A Cutting Board and Sharp Knife
    • A Mixing Bowl and Whisk
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • A Rubber Spatula
    • Optional: A Instant Pot or large pot to pre-cook potatoes

    🥣 How to Make It

    Preheat oven to 400°F.

    Optional - I like to precook the potatoes in my Instant Pot so they are nice and fluffy. I put them in a strainer basket with one cup of water in the bottom and cook at high pressure for 3 minutes, then quick release. They are nice and pillowy soft in the frittata this way. (If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can boil them on the stove until they are fork-tender, then strain them.)

    To make the frittata - melt butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.

    Once the butter is melted, add onions and potatoes to the skillet. (Pictures 1 - 2)

    Cook until onions are translucent and the potatoes have a little crisp on the edges. (Pre-cooking the potatoes will get the edges crispy while the inside stays fluffy.)

    While onions and potatoes are cooking, whisk cream, eggs, kosher salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add about ¾ of the cheese to the eggs. (Pictures 3 - 6)

    A collage of images showing how to make a ham and cheese frittata, steps 1 - 5.

    When the potatoes and onions are cooked, pour in the egg mixture and spread the potatoes out evenly in the eggs. (Picture 7)

    Let the eggs set on the edges, then add the ham. Spread a spatula around the edges once or twice to make sure it has set and it isn't sticking to the pan. (Picture 8)

    Cook on the stove the frittata is mostly set and the edges start to harden - the top will still be soupy but you should be able to run a spoon or spatula cleanly under the sides of the frittata. (Picture 9)

    Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the frittata (Picture 10) and place it in the warm oven and bake for 8 - 10 minutes. The frittata is ready when the edges are golden brown and the top is no longer runny. Try not to overcook the eggs or they can get tough - slightly underdone is okay because the frittata will continue cooking a little as it cools.

    A collage of images showing how to make a ham and cheese frittata, steps 6 - 10.

    Sorry, this picture sucks - I didn't realize that it was blurry until it was too late to take another! It gives you a little bit of an idea though of the edges getting crispy while the top is firm and cooked but soft to the touch. Spongey maybe is a good word?

    A frittata cooking in the oven.

    Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cracked pepper and salt, green onions or chives, sliced tomatoes, or even a dollop of sour cream. I have also seen people add a little bit of hot sauce.

    This frittata is even 2 and 4 year old tested and approved - just make sure it cools down enough so they don't burn their mouths.

    A child's hands holding a slice of ham and cheese frittata.

    🙋‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

    What kind of cheese is best in a frittata?

    ANY CHEESE. Gruyere is my favorite because it is melty and mild, but I also add a little bit of a sharper cheese as well to give it a little bit of bite.

    What's the difference between a frittata and an omelet?

    A frittata is thicker than an omelet and is cooked over low heat, slowly - then finished in the oven. Am omelet, on the other hand, is cooked quickly over high heat and is much thinner. Omelets are great for a quick, small breakfast, whereas a frittata is great for serving a crowd.

    A slice of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes on a white plate.

    🍳 Serving Suggestions & Uses

    Frittatas are great for breakfast and brunch to serve a large crowd - or for a small family to have breakfast for a few mornings. I also like making frittatas to change up dinner time.

    Button linking to the Pinterest page for Southern Bytes.
    Two slices of ham and gruyere frittata with some fresh tomatoes stacked on a white plate.

    🍲 Serving Size

    I like to cut my frittatas like a pizza - each frittata will give about 8 slices.

    🥫 Storage/Shelf Life/Reheating

    Once cooled, store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze leftovers for a few months - let them defrost at room temperature then reheat in the microwave or oven.

    ✏️ Helpful Tips

    • Try not to overcook a frittata - the outside will get a little tough and chewy if the eggs get overcooked.
    • Be sure your frying pan is oven safe - a cast iron pan or non-stick Calphalon pan is best.
    • Be VERY careful when using a frying pan in the oven. Speaking from experience, after you take it out to cool - do not grab the handle. (I have a scar on my hand from my carelessness.) Leave a towel over the handle if you can and make sure it is far from the reaching hands of children - it will stay hot longer than you would expect.
    Two slices of ham and cheese frittata stacked on a white plate.

    Other Breakfast Recipes

    • How to Bake Eggs in a Muffin Tin
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Biscuits and Sausage Gravy - A Southern Classic
    • Southern Sour Cream Biscuits

    Have You Tried This Recipe?
    Please rate it and leave a comment below. I would love to hear what you think!

    Two slices of ham and cheese frittata stacked on a white plate.

    Ham, Gruyere, and Potato Frittata

    5 from 6 votes
    Kari
    Frittatas are such a delicious and versatile meal and are a great way to use up leftovers, especially ham & cheese. They are so easy to put together and take plain, boring eggs to a whole new level.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine American, Italian, Southern
    Servings 8
    Calories 293

    Equipment

    • 10 - 12 inch cast iron skillet or other oven-safe frying pan
    • a rubber spatula
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • a cutting board
    • an Instant Pot or pressure cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon salted butter
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 2 - 3 Yukon Gold Potatoes diced, about 1 ½ - 2 cups
    • 8 large eggs
    • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
    • 1 cup gruyere cheese grated (I like to use a mix of grated and chunks of the cheese) + a little Asiago cheese to give it some bite
    • 1 cup leftover ham or bacon diced
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400°F.
    • Optional - I like to precook the potatoes in my Instant Pot so they are nice and fluffy. I put them in a strainer basket with one cup of water in the bottom and cook at high pressure for 3 minutes, then quick release. They are nice and pillowy soft in the frittata this way. (If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can boil them on the stove until they are fork-tender, then strain them.)
      2 - 3 Yukon Gold Potatoes
    • Melt butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
      1 tablespoon salted butter
    • Once the butter is melted, add onions and potatoes to the skillet.
      1 small onion
    • Cook until onions are translucent and the potatoes have a little crisp on the edges. (Pre-cooking the potatoes will get the edges crispy and the inside fluffy.)
    • While onions and potatoes are cooking, whisk cream, eggs, kosher salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add about ¾ of the cheese to the eggs.
      8 large eggs, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 cup gruyere cheese, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • When the potatoes and onions are cooked, pour in the egg mixture and spread the potatoes out evenly in the eggs.
    • Let the eggs set on the edges, then add the ham. Spread a spatula around the edges once or twice to make sure it has set and it isn't sticking to the pan.
      1 cup leftover ham or bacon
    • Cook on the stove until the frittata is mostly set and the edges start to harden - the top will still be soupy but you should be able to run a spoon or spatula cleanly under the sides of the frittata.
    • Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the frittata and place it in the warm oven and bake for 8 - 10 minutes. The frittata is ready when the edges are golden brown and the top is no longer runny. Try not to overcook the eggs or they can get tough - slightly underdone is okay because the frittata will continue cooking a little as it cools.
    • Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cracked pepper and salt, green onions or chives, sliced tomatoes, or even a dollop of sour cream. I have also seen people add a little bit of hot sauce.

    Notes

    🍲 Serving Size
    I like to cut my frittatas like a pizza - each frittata will give about 8 slices.
    🍳 Serving Suggestions & Uses
    Frittatas are great for breakfast and brunch to serve a large crowd - or for a small family to have breakfast for a few mornings. I also like making frittatas to change up dinner time.
    🥫 Storage/Shelf Life/Reheating
    Once cooled, store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze leftovers for a few months - let them defrost at room temperature then reheat in the microwave or oven.
    📋 Tips
    • Try not to overcook a frittata - the outside will get a little tough and chewy if the eggs get overcooked.
    • Be sure your frying pan is oven safe - a cast iron pan or non-stick Calphalon pan is best.
    • Be VERY careful when using a frying pan in the oven. Speaking from experience, after you take it out to cool - do not grab the handle. (I have a scar on my hand from my carelessness.) Leave a towel over the handle if you can and make sure it is far from the reaching hands of children - it will stay hot longer than you would expect.
    🙋‍♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
    What kind of cheese is best in a frittata?
    ANY CHEESE. Gruyere is my favorite because it is melty and mild, but I also add a little bit of a sharper cheese as well to give it a little bit of bite.
    What's the difference between a frittata and an omelet?
    A frittata is thicker than an omelet and is cooked over low heat, slowly - then finished in the oven. Am omelet, on the other hand, is cooked quickly over high heat and is much thinner. Omelets are great for a quick, small breakfast, whereas a frittata is great for serving a crowd.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 17gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 224mgSodium: 646mgPotassium: 593mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 525IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 212mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is approximate and is automatically calculated, so should only be used as a guide.

    Keyword frittata recipe, ham and cheese frittata, hamd and gruyere frittata
    Tried this recipe?Mention @southernbytes or tag #southernbytes!
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    About Kari

    I am a WordPress Developer, Food Blogger, and Health Coach. I love to cook and experiment with fun new recipes. I hope you enjoy!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary anderson

      January 31, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! Will use it often.

      Reply

    Please let me know what you think about the recipe :) Cancel reply

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    Hi, I'm Kari!

    I am a WordPress developer, food blogger, and health coach. I love to cook and experiment with fun new recipes. I hope you enjoy!

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