Sauteed peppers and onions, browned ground beef, cheese, eggs, and cream…Sounds like I’m about to make a really tasty omelette.  The same ingredients baked in a crust takes this from really tasty omelette to another level of special: Beef & Peppers Quiche.

Don’t get me wrong, omelettes can be pretty special(think asparagus, crab & bacon) and even served to company for dinner, using that whole “breakfast for dinner” approach.  Quiche, on the other hand, can be pulled together with humble leftovers but still come off as fancy.  This quiche, made using some leftover ground beef, elicited many oooos and aaaahs from my folks.  You’d have thought they’d been on a strict diet of Cream of Wheat(Not that there’s anything wrong with Cream of Wheat).

Saute peppers and onions in olive oil with salt and pepper

Along with cheese, add egg mixture to cooled beef and peppers.

Beef & Peppers Quiche
makes one 10-inch quiche

1/2 pound ground beef, browned*
1 cup red pepper, sliced
1 cup yellow pepper, sliced
1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced
2 cups shredded cheese(I used a mix of white and sharp cheddar)
4 eggs
1 cup half & half
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 deep dish pie crust, store bought or use this recipe

*Browned Ground Beef: In a heavy skillet on medium heat, cook beef, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, stirring occasionally until meat is browned through and crumbly, about 7 minutes.  Drain excess fat and allow to cool to room temperature before assembling quiche.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare pie crust recipe or use purchased(thawed) pie crust dough.  Line quiche pan or tart pan(10″round-2″ deep) with pie crust.  Prick all over with a fork.  Place on baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes.  Remove oven and set aside until ready to fill and bake.

In a heavy skillet, saute peppers and onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper until softened and onions begin to caramelize.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Once cooled, place in a large bowl with browned beef, and cheese.  In a separate bowl, beat eggs and milk until well blended.  Add egg mixture to bowl with beef, peppers, and cheese, stirring to combine and pour into crust.  Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees and bake for 40 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes before cutting.