Ham and Cheese Frittata

Name: Ham and Cheese Frittata
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 cup red onion (- diced); 1 cup peppers (any kind - I used bell pepper and jalapeno) (- diced); 3/4 pound ham steaks (chopped) (- or leftover ham); 10 large eggs; 1/2 cup 2% milk; 4 oz. gruyere cheese (- shredded); kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (- to taste)

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.

Jump to Recipe

This easy Ham and Cheese Frittata makes the most delicious brunch. Combining ham, cheese, eggs, and veggies, this one-skillet meal is filling and makes great meal prep too!

For more delicious brunch recipes, try my Overnight Omelette Breakfast Casserole or a delicious Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole!

Ham Frittata with Gruyere:

Making a frittata is always impressive for guests. Whether it be for a holiday brunch or dinner for breakfast, I’m always in for a delicious frittata filled with eggs, veggies, and sometimes a variety of meats.

The other thing I love about this dish is the possible variation in ingredients.

Meat – ham, bacon, or sausage.
Veggies – onion, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, and so on.
Eggs – or a combo of eggs plus egg whites (for lower calorie).
Potatoes – any potato, including yellow, white, or sweet potato.
Cheese – I love the taste of gruyere cheese (especially a smoky version), but other cheese can also be substituted.

Want to include this on a brunch spread? Make my Pecan Banana Muffins or my Best Blueberry Lemon Scones too!

Side shot of two wedges of frittata on white plates.

Ingredients Used:

Ham – I used ham steaks for this recipe. If you have leftover ham from a holiday dinner, use that instead!
Cheese – The cheese of choice was gruyere, but any you love will work too.
Eggs – Use large eggs.
Milk – I normally use 2% milk in this recipe.
Veggies – A combo of peppers, onions, and some tomatoes for topping (if desired).

A wooden board with the labeled ingredients, including ham, cheese, eggs, and veggies.

A board with bowls of the prepped ingredients.

How to make Ham and Cheese Frittata:

Step 1
Sauté veggies. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and then veggies, and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2
Add ham. Add the ham and stir. Continue cooking for a couple of minutes.

Step 3
Add eggs/milk mixture. Add the eggs and milk to the skillet.

A skillet with the sautéed veggies and ham.

A skillet with the frittata veggies plus egg mixture.

Step 4
Add shredded cheese to skillet. Then add the shredded cheese on top of the egg mixture.

Step 5
Top with tomatoes (optional). Slice some Roma tomatoes, and add to the top of the frittata.

Step 6
Bake frittata. Bake the frittata in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until just set in the center.

The frittata ingredients in a cast iron skillet.

The frittata ingredients with the sliced tomatoes on top.

Step 7
Serve. Serve ham and cheese frittata with some extra black pepper and some chopped cilantro, if desired.

The baked frittata in a cast iron skillet with tomatoes on top.

Recipe FAQs

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

A quiche contains a crust while a frittata does not. Also, a quiche normally bakes in a pie plate or dish while a frittata normally cooks in a cast iron skillet.

What kind of a pan do I use for a frittata?

Use a cast iron skillet for a frittata. That way you can cook the veggies and meat in the same pan, which is easier for cleanup.

How do you keep a frittata from deflating?

The eggs will naturally expand and puff up during the cooking process. They may deflate a little bit, but that’s ok.

How do you tell when a frittata is done?

Cook the frittata in the oven until the center is just set, or no longer jiggly. You can check with a knife as well.

A plate with a wedge of ham and cheese frittata, with a fork.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue