Cheeseburger Quiche

This cheeseburger quiche is so much more than just a quiche with ground beef. The cheeseburger-inspired recipe is packed with all your favorite burger add-ons—juicy tomatoes, onions, tangy pickle relish, smoky bacon and a hint of mustard—to really amp up the cheeseburger flavor in every bite. All the burger fixings are mixed into a creamy egg custard, topped with melty cheddar and Parmesan, and baked in a flaky, golden pie crust.

Cheeseburger quiche is delicious straight from the oven, but you can take it up a notch by adding extra burger toppings, such as chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes or a drizzle of burger sauce, for a fun finishing touch. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, a fun weeknight dinner or a potluck, this quiche recipe delivers an easy, satisfying meal.

Cheeseburger Quiche Ingredients

• Pie crust: A refrigerated pie crust is a great timesaver, but you can use a homemade or frozen crust if you prefer—just be sure to thaw it according to package directions first.
• Ground beef: An 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio gives the best balance of flavor and juiciness, but 90/10 ground beef works if you’d like a lighter quiche. Be sure to drain any excess grease so the crust stays crisp and the filling doesn’t get greasy.
• Tomatoes: Chopped plum tomatoes add a touch of bright acidity that balances the rich, savory flavors of the beef and cheese.
• Onion: Yellow or white onions work best to add sweetness and aromatic depth, or try red onions for a sharper onion flavor.
• Dill pickle relish: Stirring pickle relish into the ground beef adds a tangy, zesty flavor—just like a burger with special sauce. Boost the pickle punch with a few spoonfuls of chopped dill pickles, or use sweet pickle relish for a milder taste.
• Cooked bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a smoky, salty depth and a slightly chewy texture for bacon cheeseburger vibes. You can swap in pancetta or turkey bacon for a leaner option that still delivers plenty of flavor. Not a bacon fan? Simply leave it out.
• Eggs: The backbone of any quiche, whole eggs provide structure and richness and help bind the filling together. Let the eggs come to room temperature before mixing—they’ll whisk more smoothly and blend evenly with the dairy.
• Cream and milk: A 1:2 ratio of milk and cream creates a rich custard base that keeps the quiche filling creamy and tender. You can use all milk for a lighter quiche, although the taste and texture will be slightly less decadent.
• Seasonings: The meat mixture gets extra flavor from a couple of teaspoons of prepared mustard and a dash of hot pepper sauce, adding just the right balance of tanginess and a subtle kick.
• Cheeses: Cheddar is the classic choice for that signature cheeseburger flavor and perfect meltiness—use mild or sharp depending on your taste. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds a nutty, savory note for extra depth. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses, such as mozzarella, Swiss or Monterey Jack.
• Optional toppings: Finish each slice with your favorite burger fixings—a dollop of mayo, crumbled bacon, pickle slices, relish, chopped onion and fresh tomatoes all add flavor, texture and an extra-fun touch.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the pie crust

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Unroll the pie crust and press it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Trim and flute the edges.

Editor’s Tip: To prevent a soggy bottom and achieve a crispier crust, lightly prick the bottom of the crust with a fork and parbake it for 10 minutes before adding the filling.

Step 2: Brown the beef

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no pink remains, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease, then stir in the chopped tomatoes, onion, pickle relish and crumbled bacon. Remove from heat and spoon the mixture into the prepared crust.

Editor’s Tip: For extra umami flavor, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef as it cooks—it’ll make it taste even more meaty.

Step 3: Make the egg filling

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, mustard, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the beef filling, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Parmesan on top.

Step 4: Bake the quiche

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. If the crust edges start to brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking. Let the quiche stand for 10 minutes before slicing. If desired, garnish with your favorite burger toppings.

Cheeseburger Quiche Variations

• Sneak in more veggies: Mix chopped mushrooms, bell peppers or spinach into the beef mixture as it cooks to add extra veggies without losing that meaty burger flavor and texture.
• Try a spicy version: Swap in a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles for the diced tomatoes, and use shredded pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. You could even season the beef with a sprinkle of taco seasoning for a Southwest-inspired cheeseburger quiche.
• Go low-carb: For an easy keto-friendly or low-carb meal, skip the crust entirely and make a crustless quiche. Lightly grease the pie plate with cooking spray or butter, add the beef filling and pour the egg mixture over the top. Bake as directed.
• Make mini cheeseburger quiches: Press refrigerated biscuit dough or small circles of pie crust into a muffin tin, or substitute hash browns for the pastry crust to make a crispy potato crust (see our hash brown quiche cups for the how-to). Divide the filling among the cups and bake for about 25 minutes or until the eggs are set. These individual servings are perfect for brunch or meal prep!

How to Store Cheeseburger Quiche

Allow leftover cheeseburger quiche to cool slightly. Transfer the slices to an airtight container or cover the pie dish with storage wrap or foil, then store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you freeze cheeseburger quiche?

Yes, quiche recipes freeze beautifully! To freeze a whole cheeseburger quiche, assemble and bake as directed. Let it cool to room temperature, then wrap the entire pie plate in a layer of storage wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. You can also slice the quiche after it cools and store pieces in freezer-safe containers or storage bags. It’ll keep for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How do you reheat cheeseburger quiche?

To reheat a full or partial cheeseburger quiche, place it on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350° oven until warmed through. You can also heat individual slices in the microwave, although the crust won’t get as crisp.

Cheeseburger Quiche Tips

What’s the difference between a frittata and a quiche?

The biggest difference between a frittata and a quiche is the crust. A quiche has a buttery, flaky pastry crust, while a frittata is crustless. Both are egg-based, but quiches use cream or milk to create a rich custard-like filling, so they’re creamier and more indulgent. Frittatas may include a splash of milk, but they’re often lighter, firmer and more eggy.

Can you use milk instead of heavy whipping cream in quiche?

Yes! You can substitute milk for heavy cream in quiche recipes, but the custard will be slightly less rich and creamy. Whole milk provides the best texture, but 2% milk also works well. Using all milk instead of milk and cream is an easy way to lighten up this cheeseburger quiche recipe—it’ll have fewer calories and less fat.

What can you serve with cheeseburger quiche?

This cheeseburger quiche recipe pairs perfectly with fresh light sides, such as a simple green salad, crunchy coleslaw or a colorful fruit salad. For a heartier meal, try roasted veggies or crispy potatoes—hash browns, Tater Tots or baked sweet potato fries are all great choices. What’s a burger without a side of taters?

For a fun twist, set out classic burger toppings—chopped tomatoes, dill pickles, crumbled bacon, mayo and ketchup—so everyone can customize their plate.