This crustless zucchini quiche recipe is an easy way to feed a crowd, or act as a healthy make-ahead vegetable-packed breakfast, lunch, or light dinner. You’ll love the sunny flavor with tomatoes, fresh parsley, shallot, creamy mozzarella, and rich parmesan cheese. 

The crustless zucchini quiche in a baking dish with one slice removed.
Photo Credits: Miriam Novoa

With layers of fresh summer vegetables, this crustless zucchini quiche may feel a bit fancy, but it’s amazingly practical. It’s a perfect way to use up those forgotten veggies in the back of the fridge!

This easy recipe came about at the tail end of a long week when I’d run out of groceries except for a lone zucchini, tomato, and a handful of shallots. While classic quiches are a special treat, I didn’t feel like rolling out a crust. So I turned the zucchini and shallots into a crust of sorts, caramelizing them on the stove until they were sweet and slightly crisped.

Simply delicious! This crustless vegetable quiche is great for my low-carb, gluten-free, and vegetarian friends, and the recipe keeps well in the fridge all week.

Table of Contents
  1. Crustless Zucchini Quiche Ingredients 
  2. How to Make Crustless Zucchini Quiche
  3. What to Serve with Zucchini Quiche 
  4. How to Reheat Leftovers
  5. More Brunch Recipes to Feed a Crowd 
  6. Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe
Ingredients for crustless zucchini quiche including eggs, tomato, olive oil, zucchini, shallots, sweet spanish paprika, salt, black pepper, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, milk, baking powder, white whole wheat flour and fresh parsley.

Crustless Zucchini Quiche Ingredients 

The glorious thing about crustless zucchini quiche is that it’s easily a fridge-raid situation (same goes for other variations like mushroom quiche). The comments section has a wealth of genius swaps and substitutions. Here’s what I went for, along with suggestions for ways you can make this recipe your own: 

  • Tomato: Go for varieties that are firm and flavorful when ripe, like Roma. Avoid anything too watery as they may make the quiche soggy. Or substitute with sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Zucchini: Look for smooth, deeply green skin, which is a good indication of freshness. Credit to Susan in the comments, who had success substituting this with asparagus (though it’s not something I’ve tried myself).
  • Shallots: Give the zucchini “crust” a sweet and savory depth of flavor. Substitute with garlic, white onion, yellow onion, or leek.
  • Seasoning: Sweet Spanish paprika gives the quiche a very mild spice without dominating the zucchini’s delicate flavor. Kosher salt and black pepper perk everything up. 
  • Parsley: Adds freshness. Substitute with other tender green herbs, like mint, basil, cilantro, or dill.
  • Cheese: Mozzarella adds richness, while parmesan brings an umami quality. Feel free to swap in feta. 
  • Eggs are the base of the quiche. 
  • Milk: I like whole milk here as it adds a welcome richness. Feel free to use low-fat if you prefer.
  • Baking powder: Makes the quiche light and fluffy.
  • Flour: A little white whole wheat flour or all purpose flour adds structure to the crustless quiche. If you’re gluten free, Gaby in the comments substituted with a mix of rice and potato flour with success.
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Any high-quality extra virgin variety will work well. 
A slice of crustless zucchini quiche on a plate with a fork.

How to Make Crustless Zucchini Quiche

The cooked zucchini and shallots serve as the “crust” lining the bottom of my quiche dish. Still, I augmented the egg mixture with just a little bit of white wheat flour, so we still get a hearty quiche without the crust.

  • Get ready. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 9-inch pie dish. Slice 1 medium tomato, 1 large zucchini, and 3 shallots into rounds. Chop enough parsley leaves and tender stems to get a packed 1/4 cup. 
  • Expel the tomatoes’ excess water. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Leave for a few minutes, then pat dry.
  • Meanwhile, soften the vegetables. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the zucchini and shallots. Season with 1/2 teaspoon paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper. Raise heat slightly and saute, tossing regularly, until everything is tender and beginning to brown.
  • Make the vegetable “crust.” Transfer the zucchini mixture to the prepared pie dish, pressing to spread across the bottom. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top. Sprinkle evenly over top with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan. The vegetables for the crustless zucchini quiche in being layered in a baking dish. Next to this is a plate with some sliced tomatoes.
  • Make the quiche filling. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs, 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 cup flour, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Pour the egg mixture into the pie dish on top of the cheese.The unbaked quiche mixture in a baking dish.
  • Bake. Bake in the hot oven until the egg mixture is well set, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and wait 5 to 7 minutes. (Quiche will puff up slightly because of the baking powder, but will quickly go down as it sits.)  Slice and enjoy!A slice of crustless zucchini quiche on a plate with a fork next to a cup of tea.

What to Serve with Zucchini Quiche 

I like to serve this zucchini quiche with a bright, flavor-packed Mediterranean salad or two. My first choice here is Balela salad because it is a more substantial salad with loads of chickpeas. Fattoush salad and Tabouli are two more hearty yet fresh salad recipes.

How to Reheat Leftovers

  • In the oven: Wrap the slices individually in foil and heat in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
  • In the microwave: Heat on low for 30 seconds or so (without the foil).

More Brunch Recipes to Feed a Crowd 

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4.87 from 15 votes

Crustless Zucchini Quiche

Suzy Karadsheh of The Mediterranean Dish. In the kitchenSuzy Karadsheh
A slice of crustless zucchini quiche on a plate with a fork.
Simple crustless zucchini quiche recipe with fresh herbs, tomatoes, and shallots. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner.
Prep – 10 minutes
Cook – 35 minutes
Total – 45 minutes
Cuisine:
French/Mediterranean
Serves – 8 slices
Course:
Entree

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium tomato, sliced into thin rounds
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large zucchini, sliced into rounds
  • 3 shallots, sliced into rounds
  • 1 teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika (divided)
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour or all purpose flour, sifted
  • Packed 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions
 

  • Get ready. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 9-inch pie dish.
  • Expel the tomatoes’ excess water. Arrange sliced tomatoes on paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Leave for a few minutes, then pat dry.
  • Meanwhile, soften the vegetables. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the zucchini and shallots. Season half of the paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper. Raise heat slightly and saute, tossing regularly, until the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown.
  • Make the vegetable “crust.” Transfer the zucchini mixture to the prepared pie dish, pressing to spread across the bottom. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over top.
  • Make the quiche filling. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, remaining paprika, baking powder, flour, and parsley. Pour the egg mixture into the pie dish on top of the cheese mixture.
  • Bake the quiche. Bake in the hot oven until the egg mixture is well set, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and wait 5 to 7 minutes. (Quiche will puff up slightly because of the baking powder, but will quickly go down as it sits.) Slice and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 102.8kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 6.5gFat: 4.4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 70.4mgSodium: 116.3mgPotassium: 227.3mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 2.9gVitamin A: 796.7IUVitamin C: 12.2mgCalcium: 107.7mgIron: 1mg
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*This post has recently been updated with new information for readers’ benefit.

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I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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4.87 from 15 votes

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Comments

  1. Lorna says:

    I have made this so many times. It so easy and delicious. Making it again for dinner tonight. Thanks!

  2. nancy says:

    This was fabulous!!! Would almond flour work?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Nancy. It should, but it’s not something we’ve tested before. If you go ahead and give it a try, we’d love to know your thoughts!

  3. Dani says:

    Great recipe. I made a few modifications using sound dried tomato, pitted olives, feta and spinach. It was delicious.

  4. Ginger says:

    5 stars
    Made this crust less zucchini quiche for dinner last night, adding chopped cooked spinach on top of the tomatoes, and cooked mild Italian Sausage 1lb. on top of everything. I’m thinking of making it again with bite sized cooked grilled chicken next time for different flavors. Someone else added mushrooms, and I think maybe bite-size steamed broccoli would be good with the chicken. Lovely healthy way to use our homegrown zucchini!!

  5. Laura Meese says:

    Have made this dish several times, and it is consistently delicious!
    This time, I added mushrooms, because I love them! Yum!

  6. Jill says:

    5 stars
    This is another great recipe! Had for dinner last night and am enjoying for breakfast this morning. I made a note to try with smoked paprika next time.

  7. Susan Kardel says:

    5 stars
    Instead of zucchini I used fresh asparagus from my garden and it was delicious!!

    1. TMD Team says:

      Mmm! Fresh asparagus is the BEST asparagus. If you loved this, you should also check our our newer Asparagus Quiche recipe (this one has a crust). 🙂

  8. Al says:

    5 stars
    Followed exactly and it was SO good. I’ll be adding this to the breakfast prep rotation!

    1. TMD Team says:

      Awesome! Thanks, Al!

  9. Ivette says:

    5 stars
    Great summer recipe. Lighter than a quiche with crust. Great to play around with different herbs on hand.

  10. AJ says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight based upon having most of the ingredients and I substituted a few for what I had on hand. Really good enjoyed it! Thank you for the recipe🙂

  11. Sylvia says:

    5 stars
    I loved this! I had no problems with any of the inredients.

  12. Janet says:

    3 stars
    It tasted ok but the flour and baking powder were clumpy. Will not be trying this one again 😕

  13. Sarah S. says:

    Not sure why everyone raves about this recipe. I thought it was pretty bad, mainly I think due to the flour and baking soda, both odd ingredients for a quiche. I was sorely disappointed after going through all the trouble of making it.

  14. Sue says:

    What are the dimensions of the pie dish please? I have a pyrex 30 cms dish will this work?
    sorry just realise you say a 9″ pie dish. will i have to increase the ingredients?
    Welcome your advice. Thanks

    1. Suzy says:

      Standarad 9″ pie dish is what I use here.You can try a square pyrex dish.

  15. Lee says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight for dinner, it was scrumptious! Looking forward to lunch time tomorrow, so we can eat the rest 🙂

  16. Gaby says:

    5 stars
    This is the second thing I make from this site and it is wonderful. Great recipe! I am gluten free so I substituted the flour with a mix of rice/potato flour and it worked well.

    1. Suzy says:

      Thank you for sharing, Gaby! So glad you enjoyed it!