The Best Farmers’ Market Frittata (An Easy, One-Pan Meal!)

Hello, friends! There is a special kind of joy that comes from strolling through a farmers’ market on a beautiful morning, filling your bag with vibrant, seasonal produce. You get home with your beautiful haul… and then comes the question: “What do I make with all of this?” Today, I have the most delicious, beautiful, and incredibly simple answer for you: this stunning Farmers’ Market Frittata Recipe. Imagine a golden, puffy, cloud-like bake, rich with cheesy, savory egg custard and studded with the beautiful colors of sweet peppers, tender kale, and fresh herbs.

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a blueprint for turning your market finds into a spectacular meal. It all comes together in one single cast-iron skillet, starting on the stove and finishing in the oven. It’s the perfect dish for a lazy weekend brunch, a healthy make-ahead breakfast for the week, or a light and satisfying dinner. Let’s turn that beautiful haul into an even more beautiful meal.

Why This is the Perfect Frittata Recipe

This recipe is endlessly adaptable and always impressive. Here’s why it’s a guaranteed hit every time.

• A Celebration of Fresh Veggies: This is the ultimate “clean out the crisper” recipe. It’s designed to showcase whatever fresh, beautiful vegetables you have on hand.
• A True One-Pan Wonder: From sautéing the veggies to the final bake, everything happens in one oven-safe skillet (cast iron is perfect!). This means incredible flavor development and minimal cleanup.
• Effortlessly Impressive: A frittata just looks fancy! When you bring a whole, puffy, golden-brown frittata to the table, it’s a showstopper that secretly required very little effort.
• Great for Meal Prep: Frittatas are fantastic for making ahead. A slice of this makes for a perfect, protein-packed grab-and-go breakfast or lunch for the next few days.
• Incredibly Satisfying: Packed with eggs, cheese, and veggies, this is a hearty and nourishing meal that will keep you full and happy.

Gather Your Fresh Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This recipe is a fantastic base. Feel free to use your favorite seasonal veggies!

• 12 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
• 8 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream: For a rich, luscious custard.
• 1 Tbsp. Chopped Fresh Chives, plus more for garnish
• 1 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil, divided
• 3/4 cup Thinly Sliced Red Onion (from 1 small onion)
• 2 Sweet Mini Peppers, thinly sliced
• 4 cups Roughly Chopped Curly Kale Leaves (from 1 bunch)
• 1 large Garlic Clove, grated
• Chopped Fresh Dill, for garnish

Crafting Your Frittata: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s make this beautiful and simple one-pan meal together.

1. Prep the Oven and Egg Base: First, position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 400°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, shredded cheese, heavy cream, chopped chives, salt, and black pepper until they are just combined. Don’t over-whisk! Set this creamy custard base aside.
2. Sauté the Veggies: In a 10-inch cast-iron or other oven-safe skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and mini peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they have softened and become vibrant, which should take about 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer this cooked veggie mixture to a plate.

1. Wilt the Kale: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the same skillet. Add the chopped kale and the grated garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the kale has wilted down into a beautiful, bright green, about 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Layer and Assemble: Now for the clever layering part! Transfer half of the wilted kale mixture to the plate with the onions and peppers. Return the other half of the onion and pepper mixture back to the skillet with the remaining kale and stir to combine. This creates your base layer. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the vegetables in the skillet. Now, sprinkle the reserved kale, onion, and peppers over the top.
3. Stovetop to Oven: Let the frittata cook on the stovetop over medium-low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, just until you see the edges begin to set.
4. Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggly. Let the frittata stand in the skillet for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up for perfect, clean slices. Garnish with more fresh chives and dill before cutting into wedges.

Wise Tips for the Perfect Frittata

• A Cast-Iron Skillet is Your Best Friend: A 10-inch cast-iron skillet is the perfect vessel for a frittata because it heats evenly and can go directly from the stovetop to the oven. If you don’t have one, any 10-inch oven-safe skillet will work.
• Don’t Over-Whisk the Eggs: For a tender, custardy frittata, you want to whisk the eggs only until the yolks and whites are just combined. Over-whisking can incorporate too much air and make the texture tough.
• The Layering Technique: Sprinkling half of the cooked vegetables on top of the egg mixture before baking is a great pro tip. It ensures you have beautiful, colorful veggies right on top for a stunning presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Farmers’ Market Frittata

1. Can I use different vegetables?
   Absolutely! This is the best part about a frittata. Sautéed mushrooms, chopped asparagus, zucchini, or even cooked, cubed potatoes would all be fantastic. Just make sure you cook any hard vegetables until they are tender before adding the eggs.
2. Can I use a different kind of cheese?
   Of course. Gruyère, goat cheese, feta, or a good Swiss cheese would all be delicious substitutes for the cheddar.
3. How do I make this dairy-free?
   For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free creamer, and use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese substitute.
4. How do I store and eat leftovers?
   Leftover frittata is fantastic! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s delicious eaten cold, straight from the fridge, at room temperature, or gently reheated in the microwave or a warm oven.

Conclusion

This Farmers’ Market Frittata Recipe is a true celebration of fresh, simple ingredients. It’s a beautiful, versatile, and incredibly satisfying dish that proves you don’t need a lot of fuss to create a show-stopping meal. It’s the perfect way to turn a beautiful market haul into a delicious memory. I hope you enjoy making it your own!