Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because mushrooms bring so much flavor to a relatively simple egg dish. Sautéing them until golden concentrates their earthy taste and removes excess moisture, giving me a frittata that is flavorful rather than watery.
I can also adapt the recipe depending on which mushrooms I find. Cremini, shiitake, oyster, maitake, and chanterelle mushrooms all work beautifully, and I often combine several varieties for a more interesting texture and flavor.
Another reason I enjoy this frittata is its versatility. I can serve it warm from the oven, at room temperature, or chilled, making it convenient for brunches and meal prep.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Large eggs
- Mixed wild mushrooms
- Shallot
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Unsalted butter
- Heavy cream or whole milk
- Gruyère, Parmesan, or goat cheese
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh parsley
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
I like using a combination of mushrooms because each variety contributes something different. I might combine meaty cremini mushrooms with delicate oyster mushrooms and shiitakes for a deeper, more complex flavor.
Directions
- I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and make sure I have an oven-safe skillet ready.
- I clean the mushrooms and slice or tear larger varieties into bite-sized pieces. I avoid soaking fresh mushrooms in water because they can absorb excess moisture.
- I heat the olive oil and butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, I add the mushrooms, spreading them out so they have enough room to brown.
- I cook the mushrooms for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they release their moisture and become golden around the edges.
- I add the finely chopped shallot and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. I then stir in the garlic and fresh thyme and cook briefly until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, I whisk the eggs with the cream or milk, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
- I reduce the skillet to medium-low heat and arrange the mushroom mixture evenly across the bottom.
- I pour the egg mixture over the mushrooms and sprinkle the cheese across the top. I cook everything on the stovetop for about 2 to 3 minutes, just until the edges begin to set.
- I transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until the eggs are just set in the center.
- I remove the frittata from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. I finish it with fresh parsley, additional thyme, black pepper, or a little extra cheese before slicing.
Servings and Timing
I usually prepare this frittata in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet. It makes approximately 6 servings when I serve it as part of a breakfast or brunch.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Resting time: 5 minutes
- Total time: about 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
Variations
For a spinach and mushroom frittata, I add fresh baby spinach to the mushrooms during the final minute or two of sautéing. I cook it just until wilted before adding the eggs.
When I want something particularly creamy, I use crumbled goat cheese. Its tangy flavor contrasts nicely with the earthy mushrooms. Gruyère gives me a nuttier flavor, while Parmesan provides a sharper, saltier finish.
I sometimes add cooked bacon or pancetta when I want a heartier frittata. I cook the meat first, remove excess fat, and then use the same skillet to sauté the mushrooms.
For additional vegetables, I can add asparagus, leeks, caramelized onions, or roasted red peppers. I make sure any vegetables with a high water content are cooked before adding the egg mixture.
For extra herbal flavor, I replace or combine the thyme with chives, tarragon, rosemary, or parsley.
Storage/Reheating
I let leftover Wild Mushroom Frittata cool before transferring it to an airtight container. I refrigerate it promptly and keep it for up to 3 to 4 days.
When I want to reheat individual slices, I warm them gently in the microwave until heated through. I can also place the frittata in a covered oven-safe dish and warm it in a 325°F (165°C) oven. I prefer gentle reheating because excessive heat can make the eggs rubbery.
I can enjoy leftover frittata cold or at room temperature as well. If I am serving refrigerated frittata at room temperature, I avoid leaving it out for extended periods.
I generally prefer refrigerating rather than freezing this dish. Freezing is possible, but I find that eggs and mushrooms can release moisture after thawing, which changes the texture.
FAQs
What mushrooms are best for a Wild Mushroom Frittata?
I like combining varieties such as cremini, shiitake, oyster, maitake, porcini, or chanterelle mushrooms. I choose whatever looks fresh and flavorful, and I use a mixture whenever possible to create more variety in texture and taste.
How do I keep my mushroom frittata from becoming watery?
I cook the mushrooms thoroughly before adding the eggs. Mushrooms release considerable moisture as they cook, so I continue sautéing until that liquid evaporates and the mushrooms begin to brown. I also cook other high-moisture vegetables before adding them.
Can I make Wild Mushroom Frittata ahead of time?
Yes. I can prepare the entire frittata ahead, refrigerate it, and serve it chilled, at room temperature, or gently reheated. This makes it particularly convenient when I am planning a brunch and do not want to cook everything immediately before serving.
Can I make this frittata without dairy?
Yes. I can omit the cheese and replace the cream or milk with an unsweetened dairy-free alternative. I prefer a neutral-flavored option so it does not compete with the mushrooms and herbs.
What can I serve with Wild Mushroom Frittata?
I like serving it with a simple green salad, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit, or crusty bread. For brunch, I often pair it with toast and a lightly dressed arugula salad, which balances the richness of the eggs and cheese.
Conclusion
Wild Mushroom Frittata is one of my favorite ways to turn simple eggs into a flavorful and versatile meal. I love the combination of golden mushrooms, fresh herbs, creamy eggs, and melted cheese, and I can change the mushroom varieties and add-ins depending on what I have available.
PrintWild Mushroom Frittata
A savory Wild Mushroom Frittata filled with golden mushrooms, shallots, fresh herbs, creamy eggs, and melted cheese. This versatile one-skillet dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 10 large eggs
- 12 ounces mixed wild mushrooms, sliced or torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 3/4 cup shredded Gruyère, grated Parmesan, or crumbled goat cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 10-inch oven-safe skillet.
- Clean the mushrooms and slice or tear larger varieties into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and spread them into an even layer.
- Cook the mushrooms for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until their released moisture evaporates and they become golden around the edges.
- Add the shallot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook briefly until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream or milk, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and arrange the mushroom mixture evenly across the bottom of the skillet.
- Pour the egg mixture over the mushrooms and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top. Cook on the stovetop for 2 to 3 minutes, until the edges begin to set.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the eggs are just set in the center.
- Remove the frittata from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley, additional thyme, black pepper, or extra cheese before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Cremini, shiitake, oyster, maitake, porcini, and chanterelle mushrooms all work well; use a mixture for more complex flavor and texture.
- Cook the mushrooms until their excess moisture evaporates and they begin to brown to prevent a watery frittata.
- For a spinach variation, add baby spinach during the final 1 to 2 minutes of cooking the mushrooms and cook until wilted.
- Cooked bacon or pancetta can be added for a heartier variation.
- Asparagus, leeks, caramelized onions, or roasted red peppers can be added, but high-moisture vegetables should be cooked before adding the eggs.
- For a dairy-free variation, omit the cheese and replace the cream or milk with a neutral unsweetened dairy-free alternative.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Serve leftovers chilled, at room temperature, or gently reheated in the microwave or a 325°F (165°C) oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 frittata
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 345 mg