This Asparagus Tart is made of asparagus, cheese, eggs, and spices and is baked in a short crust pastry. It is nicely spiced with nutmeg and cayenne and is a great breakfast or brunch recipe. It reheats well in the oven or microwave and will also make a great portable lunch.
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A Quiche or a Tart
Some people may call this a quiche, and if they did, I guess they could be right. The first time I made this Asparagus Tart, I did so in a tart pan with a removable bottom. Which, is why i called this a tart. However, it is made with the same exact ingredients you use to make a quiche!
A tart can be sweet or savory and is made in a tart pan. A quiche is usually a savory recipe and is made in a pie plate. So call this a quiche or a tart, depending on the pan you use!
🥘 Ingredients
One 8-inch pie crust, you can make it homemade or buy a premade crust. If you want to make a homemade pie crust, you can use the recipe in this post for an Apple Pie.
Large eggs
Fresh asparagus
Half and half
Swiss cheese
Nutmeg
Cayenne pepper
🔪 Instructions
Step 1:
- Prepare the asparagus. First, remove the woody ends of the asparagus and discard. Then cut the top portion of the asparagus spear to about 3 inches in length. Take the bottom portion and cut into bite sized pieces.
- Set the spear tips aside. These will be placed on top of the tart. Blanch the bite sized asparagus and set aside.
Step 2:
- Place the tart pan on a baking sheet, then place the pie crust in the tart pan (or pie plate) and crimp the edges.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, ⅓ cup of cheese, salt, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the blanched asparagus to the tart pan. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Pour the egg mixture over top of the asparagus and cheese in the tart pan. Arrange the asparagus spears in a circle with the tips pointing out on the tart.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the tart comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before cutting to serve.
💭 Top Tips
- Freeze any leftovers in an airtight packages up to 3 months.
- If using a pie plate, try pre-baking the crust for 10 minutes before filling it with the egg mixture. Sometimes a pie plate does not cook the crust on the bottom entirely.
- If using a tart pan, pre-bake is not necessary.
📖 Variations
- Replace the shortcrust pastry with filo dough.
- Substitute Gruyere, Fontania, or Havarti cheese for the Swiss cheese.
- Grate the brick of cheese rather than buying pre-shredded, this will give you the best melty cheese!
- Sprinkle the top of the tart with crumbled cooked bacon before baking.
- Stir in ¾ cup of diced ham.
Sweet and Savory Tart Recipes
*If you made this Asparagus Tart, please give it a star rating*
📖 Recipe
Asparagus Tart
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Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh asparagus trimmed
- ⅔ cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss Cheese divided
- ½ cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 4 eggs lightly beaten
- ¾ cup half and half
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 8 inch pastry shell
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°. Cut 2 in. from the top of each asparagus spear; set tops aside. Cut stem ends into ¾ in. pieces.
- In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil Add the ¾ in. asparagus pieces; cover and boil for 3-4 minutes. Drain and immediately and place asparagus in ice water. Once cooled drain the water and pat the asparagus dry.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry into a 13-in. circle. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 11 in tart pan with removable bottom; trim edges.
- Place the blanched asparagus, ⅓ cup cheese and parsley in crust.
- In a small bowl, combine the eggs, cream, salt, cayenne and nutmeg; pour into crust. Arrange asparagus tops over egg mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and the crust is golden. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
Crystal says
it does look a lot like quiche...but I don't mind because I am a big quiche lover. I love springtime food, especially asparagus (they grow here locally) and rhubarb.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
This looks delicious! I am loving the fresh asparagus lately.
Jeff @ Cheeseburger says
This looks like a very healthy and delicious recipe.
Linda says
Very pretty dish! I'm impressed Grumpy would even try it, as I would be the only one tasting it at my house. 😉
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Sounds delicious! And fabulous presentation 🙂
Michelle says
I've been looking for asparagus recipes. I don't think I can sell my fella on this one but it looks like a great addition to a light lunch or maybe an afternoon tea!
Pegasuslegend says
I have always wanted to try a pie or tart with this wonderful vegetable. I am the only one that will eat this here... looks like I need to treat myself what a mouth watering photo~
Kelly says
Looks beautiful. Love the color contrast.
jbeach says
Mmm, this sounds great, too. I am definitely trying this out immediately. Thanks for sharing!
Laura says
I wish someone would make this for me. It looks lovely. I love quiche. And tarts. And cheese. And asparagus.
Kevin says
I like tarts like these. These are like welcoming in Spring.
RecipeGirl says
So it wasn't really like a quiche, huh? It looks gorgeous. This is the sort of thing I love to make for brunch!
Tangled Noodle says
I've made an asparagus tart before and it's always been such a hit. Such a delicious spring or summer dish for lunch or light dinner. Mmmmmm!
Elle says
Just became a fan of asparagus this Spring. And I'd loooove to try it in this dish--it looks fabulous! Very pretty.
teresa says
Mmmm, this looks just lovely, I love anything with asparagus.
Mari at Once Upon a Plate says
One of my favorite tarts, Missy S!!!
Yours looks delicious ~ wish I had some right now!
Very nice! xo~m.
justeatfood says
9 out of 10 ain't bad! Looks wonderful.
emily
justeatfood.com
Eric J. Hoffman says
Another great idea. Perfect for this time of year when the asparagus is fresh, cheap, and everywhere.
Jen says
You had me at Swiss Cheese and asparagus! The little asparagus arms fanning out across the top is a beautiful greeting.
Alta says
This looks so delicious. I would be the only one eating it (hubby doesn't like asparagus) but I think I'm okay with that! Might just have to make. 🙂
Darius T. Williams says
My GOD why does this look so freaking fantastic?
recipes2share says
This looks right out of a deli! What a great alternative way of serving asparagus.
Elyse says
Yum! This tart looks totally delicious. I love the cayenne-nutmeg combo. How delightful!! And anything with cheese is good in my book.
Creative One says
The tart tasted delicious. Thanks!It was great to see you today.
Christy says
I love asparagus and this looks yummy!
s. stockwell says
Since we are in the time of the asperagus...and lots should be available on sale, this is so timely. Looks so French? We will keep it and make it asap! best from santa barbara. s
Bergamot says
Looks really delicious!!
Anonymous says
I haven't checked yesterday's grocery ad, but if asparagus is on sale below $2, I'll be making it tomorrow! Thanks, Kathye
Tracy says
Yum! I love asparagus at this time of year!
Jessie says
wow, I love asparagus and the idea having it as a tart sounds really delicious!
It's such a pretty tart to look at too very spring like 🙂
Olga says
looks gorgeous!
Alpinebluesky says
I am absolutely craving this now!
Barbara Bakes says
What a gorgeous tart! I'm impressed that it is from Light & Healthy.
Christie @ Fig & Cherry says
Wow - that tart is so jam packed with asparagus, fantastic! I wish it was Spring in Australia.. boo hoo.
I might substitute with spinach or beans. (Although I wish asparagus!)
Food For a Hungry Soul says
This is a MIGHTY fine looking tart!! I love all the ingredients in it. Course you know, I'm in the same boat as you--I'd have to eat this by myself. Hmmm..sounds like a good idea to me LOL
Maria says
Beautiful spring dish! I know I am going to love this one!
Dawn says
now this is a good way to eat your veggies!
Marthe says
Shelby, this looks absolutely delicious!! I got to get my hands on some asparagus now!! Yum!