Spicy Chorizo Quiche Recipe

Let’s make quiche! A delightful blend of cream and eggs inside a savory pie shell, baked in the oven to silky perfection. Throwing together a quiche is not as intimidating as you may think. There are tons of easy quiche recipes out there, and once you learn the basics of how to make quiche, adding your own ingredients to it and making it your own makes quiche one of the most versatile and easy to make dishes out there. For this recipe, the star of the show will be Portuguese chouriço, a smoky and garlicky Portuguese sausage that is packed with flavour.

This Spicy Chorizo Quiche combines smoky Portuguese chourico, sharp pecorino, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant herbs in a buttery pie shell for a gourmet brunch or weeknight dinner option. If you’re new to quiche recipes or just want to spice things up, this is the best quiche recipe to try next.

What is Quiche?

Quiche is a savory French tart traditionally made with a creamy egg custard base and baked in a pastry shell. Classic quiche recipes often include cheese, meats, or vegetables, making them perfect for brunch, lunch, or light dinner. Though French in origin, the quiche is versatile and easily customizable with your favorite ingredients. Whether you want a vegetarian version or a spicy chorizo quiche like this one, there’s a recipe for quiche to suit everyone. The combinations are truly limitless.

What Makes the Perfect Quiche?

How to make the perfect quiche? Well, the best quiche recipe is all about balance—rich custard, a crisp crust, flavorful fillings, and a golden finish. Here’s what to look for:

• Custard Ratio: The rule of thumb is 4 eggs to 1 cup of cream. The right mix of eggs and cream creates a silky, stable filling. You know you’ve done it right if the filling melts in your mouth while eating it.
• Cheese Selection: A balance of salty and melty cheeses adds depth. Mozzarella and parmesan cheese are a great start. You can experiment with different cheeses once you get the hang of how to make the perfect quiche.
• Par-Baked Crust: This ensures your crust stays crisp, not soggy.
• Sautéed Fillings: Pre-cooking meats and vegetables adds flavor and prevents wateriness.

Spicy Chorizo Quiche Ingredients

Here’s a breakdown of the key quiche ingredients used in this spicy chorizo quiche and why they make this recipe shine:

Portuguese Chourico: A spicy, smoky sausage that adds deep flavor and a meaty bite. It’s the star of this chorizo quiche.

Shallots & Garlic: Aromatics that give a subtle sweetness and punch.

Fresh Parsley: Brightens up the richness of the custard.

18% Cream: Makes the custard silky, rich, and indulgent.

Whole Eggs: Binds everything together and creates that iconic quiche texture.

Pecorino Romano & Mozzarella: The sharpness of pecorino pairs perfectly with the melty, mild mozzarella.

Smoked Paprika & Garlic Powder: Bring warmth, depth, and a smoky finish.

Olive Oil: Used to sauté the chourico and aromatics, enhancing flavor.

Pie Shell: A buttery, flaky crust that holds it all together.

How to Make Quiche

These are the basic steps for making any quiche:

1. Prep your crust: Use store-bought or homemade. Par-bake to prevent sogginess.
2. Prepare your fillings: Sauté meats or veggies to develop flavor.
3. Mix the custard: Combine eggs, cream, cheese, seasonings and pre cooked filling.
4. Assemble: Mix filling in with the custard, pour into parbaked pie shell and bake in the oven..
5. Bake: Until the center is just set and the top is golden. There should be no jiggle when shaking the quiche.
6. Rest: Let it cool briefly so it slices cleanly.

Spicy Chorizo Quiche Recipe (Step-by-Step)

Quiche Custard 

Ingredients

• 4 whole eggs
• 1 cup 18% cream
• 1/2 Portuguese chourico, finely diced
• 1 medium shallot, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano
• 1/4 cup mozzarella, grated
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 9-inch unbaked pie shell

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Gently poke holes in the base of the pie shell with a fork (don’t go all the way through). Parbake the shell for 15 minutes.
2. Sauté chourico in olive oil on medium-high until browned. Lower heat, add shallots and garlic, and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and mix in chopped parsley.
3. Mix custard: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, spices, cheeses, and the chourico mixture.
4. Assemble: Pour the custard into the par-baked pie shell.
5. Bake for 45 minutes or until set.
6. Rest: Let quiche sit for 5 minutes before slicing.

Herb Chorizo Crumble

The chorizo and parsley crumble adds crunch and depth to the dish and it’s a great way to use our Portuguese chouriço in a fun and interesting way. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 Portuguese chourico, diced
• 3/4 cup fresh parsley

Instructions

1. In a frying pan, saute chouriço with a bit of olive oil over low-medium heat. You want to slowly cook and render all the fat out while making them crispy. This will take about 5 minutes.
2. Remove crispy chouriço, drain the fat, spread over a tray lined with paper towel. Let the chouriço dry and cool down. Pat down the top with paper towel to absorb as much of any leftover fat as possible.
3. Once chouriço is completely dried and cooled down, add all of it into a coffee grinder (mince with a knife if you don’t have a grinder) along with your parsley. Grind it until you achieve a crumble consistency. 

Herb Spring Mix Salad

A bright, herbaceous side to balance the richness of your quiche.

Ingredients

• 2 cups spring mix greens
• Handful of fresh dill & parsley
• Zest & juice of 1/4 lemon
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Mix greens and herbs together in a bowl
2. Zest your lemon and squeeze about a quarter of a lemon in.
3. Drizzle a bit of olive oil in. Season with salt and pepper.

Optional Quiche Add-Ins

Want to customize this quiche recipe? Here are a few flavorful ideas:

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Roasted red peppers
• Feta or goat cheese
• Spinach or kale
• Crumbled bacon

Quiche FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake it a day ahead, cool completely, and store in the fridge.

Can I freeze quiche?
Yes. Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven.

Can I use milk instead of cream?
You can, but the texture will be lighter and less rich. The sweet spot is 18% cream.

Why is my quiche watery?
It might be underbaked or include too many watery veggies that weren’t pre-cooked.

Expert Tips for the Best Quiche

• Don’t skip the par-bake: It prevents a soggy crust.
• Let it rest: This helps the filling set properly.
• Use quality sausage: The chourico is key to the flavor. But any good quality chorizo or sausage will do.
• Grate your own cheese: It melts better than pre-shredded.
• Go low and slow on the sausage: Rendering the fat builds better flavor.

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 325°F until heated through (about 10-15 minutes).

Final Thoughts

This spicy chorizo quiche is a bold, comforting, and satisfying spin on the classic. Whether you’re new to making quiche or a seasoned brunch lover, this easy quiche recipe will quickly become a favorite. It’s packed with smoky sausage, creamy custard, and layered flavor—perfect for any occasion. Try it once and you’ll be making it again and again.

Looking for more quiche recipes? Stick around—At Home Gourmet has you covered.