Bacon Kale Frittata
This Bacon Kale Frittata and its many adaptations will take your egg game to a new level. Eggs are the ultimate solution to the daily question of what’s for dinner. They range from 10 minute scrambled eggs to more complicated meals like shakshuka. You probably have them in your refrigerator right now.
Once upon a time in my youth (or perhaps more, if we’re being honest), there were times all I could manage for dinner was popcorn and beer. While that might be acceptable when single and in your 20s, it’s something I fear might bring CPS to my house. Instead, I’ll suggest that eggs are the magic ingredient for when you’re too exhausted to cook.
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About the humble frittata
The frittata is a versatile Italian egg-based dish that is related to a crustless quiche. The word comes from the Italian “friggere,” meaning “to fry,” which is how they are traditionally cooked.
The first frittata I ever made was from Amanda Hesser’s Essential New York Times Cookbook. If you’re looking for an all-around cookbook, this is one I definitely recommend.
Recipe tips and tricks
Frittatas can be customized with whatever vegetables, meats, and cheese you love. That makes them a perfect option for a quick and satisfying breakfast-for-dinner meal.
A cast iron pan is the best tool for the job because it goes seamlessly from stove top to oven. I use mine all the time making pan-roasted chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, and skillet cornbread.
What to serve with a bacon kale frittata
- A simple salad like this carrot salad or peach burrata Caprese.
- A steamed or roasted vegetable like cauliflower or broccoli.
- A crusty bread or bread roll like this semolina bread or challah roll.
Recipe FAQs
This frittata recipe was inspired by what was in our fridge, but you can incorporate almost anything into a frittata if you think of them like you would scrambled eggs. Add more bacon, use less cheese or a different cheese, sub out the kale and use mushrooms or red peppers or olives or. You get the point.
You can, but the texture and taste will likely change as the water in the vegetables freezes and separates, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Leftover frittata is best kept the refrigerator for a few days.
Leftover frittata is great, warm or cold. To reheat it, just pop it in your microwave or oven until warm.
Related kale recipes
Got too much kale? Make kale waffles or a kale and cheese quickbread. Or use it in place of the other greens in one of these recipes:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-heart 💜💜💜💜💜 rating in the recipe card below. Let me know how much you loved it, or any problems you had, in the comments section further down.
Recipe
Bacon Kale Frittata
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 bunch kale, chopped
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Crisp the bacon over low heat in a 10 inch cast iron pan, then remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Pour off all but thin layer of bacon grease. Chop the bacon once cool.4 strips bacon
- In same cast iron pan, saute the kale until it is lightly wilted, then remove from heat.1 bunch kale, chopped
- In a medium bowl, lightly beat 6 of the 8 eggs and then combine with the chopped bacon, kale, and rest of the ingredients. Add salt and pepper.8 eggs, 1 cup ricotta cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan, grated, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- In a small bowl, crack remaining 2 eggs and beat lightly. These will form the base of the frittata.
- If necessary, add a thin layer of oil (or bacon fat!) to the cast iron pan and cook the 2 eggs as you would an omelet, tilting the pan so that all the egg is just set.
- Remove the pan from heat, add the remaining eggs and ingredients, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is set. If you want, you can brown the top under the broiler for a minute or two.
Notes
Keeping 2 of the eggs separate from the bacon and kale frittata mixture creates a thin base for your frittata mix-ins. If you’re super tired, you can save one bowl and skip this step and just add all 8 eggs to the rest of the ingredients.
Nutrition
This bacon and kale frittata recipe was first posted January 5, 2021. It was last updated June 12, 2023.
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