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.
Jen
You had me at Swiss Cheese and asparagus! The little asparagus arms fanning out across the top is a beautiful greeting.
Alta
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
My GOD why does this look so freaking fantastic?
recipes2share
This looks right out of a deli! What a great alternative way of serving asparagus.
Elyse
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
The tart tasted delicious. Thanks!It was great to see you today.
Christy
I love asparagus and this looks yummy!
s. stockwell
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
Looks really delicious!!
Anonymous
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
Yum! I love asparagus at this time of year!
Jessie
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
looks gorgeous!
Alpinebluesky
I am absolutely craving this now!
Barbara Bakes
What a gorgeous tart! I'm impressed that it is from Light & Healthy.
Christie @ Fig & Cherry
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
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
Beautiful spring dish! I know I am going to love this one!
Dawn
now this is a good way to eat your veggies!
Marthe
Shelby, this looks absolutely delicious!! I got to get my hands on some asparagus now!! Yum!