This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
As I sit here contemplating what to write about this delicious Crustless Butternut Squash and Bacon Quiche, my brain has gone in a zillion directions. Probably because it's so versatile - perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch and even casual dinners.
I've actually served it for all of these meals, and can't decide what time of the day I like it better. It's wonderful with fresh fruit first thing in the morning. I've also served it with coffee cake and a simple fruit salad for a slow, late morning brunch with friends. It warms up beautifully for a quick lunch and makes a fabulous dinner served with a simple salad and a loaf of warm crusty bread. Now do you see why I'm a little indecisive?
Believe me when I say that I'm not one of those people who doesn't care for crust on their pies, tarts, quiches, etc. Nope, I've hardly found one that I don't like, but I feel really good about eating this quiche; it's decently healthy as well as being fabulously delicious.
And I do cheat just a tad by scattering a handful of golden, crisp Panko bread crumbs over the top towards the end of baking. Honestly, you'll never miss the crust, and there's only two teaspoons of butter in the delicious crumb topping!
This yummy Crustless Butternut Squash and Bacon Quiche will definitely be in my entertaining arsenal for the upcoming holidays. I think you'll love it in yours too!
P.S. Just a note for our regular Café followers: We're back from our trip to London and, though we're already missing our family there, we were quite thrilled to sleep in our own bed last night and wake up this morning at home; though admittedly, a wee bit jet-lagged. We'll be sharing more of our trip coming up along with a wonderful recipe for leftover turkey - stay tuned!
Want to see more delicious recipes from The Café? Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST and TWITTER. Be sure to sign up for our EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION. That way you'll never miss a post, or any of our "TIPS, TRICKS and IDEAS" emails, which you won't find here on the blog.
- 3 cups diced peeled butternut squash
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil lightly salt and pepper
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 7 large eggs
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoon butter
- ⅓ cup panko crumbs
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated Fontina or Gouda cheese
- 5 slices thick cut smokey bacon, Cut in ½-inch pieces cooked until crisp and drained on several thicknesses of paper towels.
- fresh thyme leaves for garnish
-
Preheat oven to 400˚F. Spray a 9 or 10-inch quiche pan generously with cooking spray. Rub with a paper towel to evenly distribute.
-
Combine butternut squash and olive oil on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon sea salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper, toss to coat. Roast in oven for 20 minutes or until tender and slightly golden.
-
Place Greek yogurt , eggs, salt and pepper in blender. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth. Add thyme leaves, stir and set aside.
-
In a small pan, over medium heat, melt the butter till bubbly and golden. Add the panko crumbs and stir. Continue cooking, stirring frequently until crumbs are golden, about 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
-
Pour egg mixture through a fine sieve into prepared quiche pan. Sprinkle with cheese .Add bacon and squash, a few pieces at a time until all bacon and veggies are added. At first they will sink into the egg mixture, but towards the end they will stay near the surface.
-
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with prepared panko crumbs. Return to oven and bake another 10 minutes or until top is light golden brown and center no longer wiggles when quiche is gently rocked side to side. If quiche looks golden, but center is not done, cover lightly with a piece of non-stick foil, or a piece of regular foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
-
Remove from oven when done and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish the top with more fresh thyme leaves, if desired.
Peacetou says
Hello Chris and Daniela. Happy New Year! Regarding replacement for the Panko crumbs: I keep the heels of my Gluten-Free loaf bread in the freezer and grate them into crumbs or food processor, season them as needed for the recipe at hand, and add butter if needed. Also use them soaked in milk for my meatloaf recipes. Handy. Paid for...and delicious 😋 😉
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Peacetou!
Carolyn says
Can this be put together the night before and bake in the morning?
Chris Scheuer says
Definitely!
Daniela says
Hi Chris,
this dish looks lovely. Would you have any suggestions as to what to replace the Panko crumbs with to make it gluten-free?
Thanks so much,
Daniela
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Daniela, thanks so much.
Regarding your question, I have read that crushed Rice Chex cereal is a good sub for panko.
Jan says
Thanks so much for this recipe. It got RAVE reviews at my mother-in-law's 90th birthday party this weekend. Everybody went back for seconds; good thing I made three of them!
Chris Scheuer says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Jan!
Sandra says
Welcome back home! With all the sweets floating around the house these days "crustless" is exactly what I need.
TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, sounds like you had a wonderful time in London (all the pictures on FB were awesome). Hope you also had a beautiful Thanksgiving - I know that the food must have been fabulous!
Your crustless butternut squash quiche looks utterly delightful and so very seasonal - I love quiches sans the crust and the butternut squash is one of my very favorite squashes to cook and bake with!
Liebe Grüsse,
Andrea
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
That quiche would make a perfect lunch. It not only has everything I like, it's beautiful to look at.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Welcome back! And thanks for bring this dish with you. I love crusts of all kinds, but oddly enough prefer my quiche crustless, at least sometimes I love squash in quiche, but never made one with butternut squash. I need to! Thanks for this, and Happy Thanksgiving!
roberta says
I'm so glad I found your website. Your recipes will be a big part of my holiday season. Everything looks absolutely delicious. Can't wait to try your quiche.-my guest will go crazy.
Glad you're back safe and had a wonderful vacation with your family.
Roberta
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you Roberta, I really appreciate your kind comment 🙂
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Chris this looks like a wonderfully fancy version of one of my favourite dinners. I love that you added the crumb topping. Yum!
Jenna says
You had me at quiche, the best invention ever, crust or crustless, for endless possibilities! This combo is one I've never thought of, and can't wait to try! Glad you're back safe and sound!
Lynn says
I love butternut squash and this sounds like it would be great:@)
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
DAMN! This look sooo sooo good! I love the fact its crustless, crust = calories and fat!!
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
Welcome back you two. I've enjoyed your photos of London on Facebook. I would be hard pressed to say what time of day I would prefer this quiche too. Love the crunchy Panko crumbs on top.
Hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving.
Sam
cheri says
Hi Chris, butternut squash is my favorite veggie this time of year. Love this dish! I think that it would be good any meal, any time of the day. Can't wait to see your pics!
Ginny Hartzler says
This would be awesome for ANY meal...dinner with a salad. Even for dessert. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Will you be serving a lot, or being served?
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
Great brunch item. Glad you are home safe and sound. Can't wait to see more vacations pictures. Did you prop shop?
Charlotte Moore says
Glad you had a safe trip. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
sue/the view from great island says
This needs to happen tonight, here, period. I love the no crust thing, so much easier, and healthier!
France morissette says
I love recipes like this. Make it once and eat it anytime of the day. You're so right about this being perfect for the holiday entertaining arsenal!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Butternut squash is definitely my favourite winter squash. Your quiche looks awesome!
Baby June says
Sounds like an awesome way to use butternut squash! I used to love quiche this time of year, makes me think of Christmas mornings 🙂
Monique says
It is so pretty also:)