Mini Quiche 4 Ways

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 12×18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2
Place tart shells on the prepared baking sheet and prick the sides and bottoms with a fork.

Step 3
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. The partial cook will help keep the pastry crispy on the bottom. Allow shells to cool slightly, in the pan, about 10 minutes.

Step 4
To make the mini-quiches: when shells are cooled but still warm, place 1 tablespoon Cheddar cheese in the bottom of 8 of the partially-baked tart shells. To 4 of the Cheddar-filled shells, add 1/2 piece of bacon, crumbled, and 1 tablespoon bell pepper. To the remaining 4 Cheddar-filled shells, add 1 tablespoon diced ham, 1 tablespoon broccoli, and 1/8 teaspoon thyme.

Step 5
Place 1 tablespoon Gruyere on the bottom of remaining partially-baked tart shells. To each of 4 of the Gruyere-filled shells, add 1 tablespoon cooked onion, 1 tablespoon of cooked, minced mushrooms, and 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder. To each of the remaining Gruyere-filled shells, add 1/4 of the diced prosciutto, 1 tablespoon cooked spinach, 1/8 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend, and a pinch of nutmeg, if using, to taste.

Step 6
Briskly stir eggs together with cream, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Pour 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the egg mixture into each of the 16 filled shells.

Step 7
Top the bacon/bell pepper mini quiches with a cherry tomato half. Top the ham/broccoli mini quiches with 1 teaspoon diced red onion. Top the onion/mushroom mini quiches with 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley, and top the prosciutto/spinach mini quiches with 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh basil.

Step 8
Place mini quiches in the oven, and reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake until the egg mixture is set and the crust is lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool on a rack, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.