Introduction
Oh, the cozy feeling of fall! There’s something magical about crisp air, changing leaves, and the comforting aroma of home-baked goodness filling the kitchen. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that perfectly captures that feeling: a stunning Roasted Pumpkin Quiche. It’s a little bit rustic, a little bit elegant, and a whole lot delicious. Forget those fussy, time-consuming quiches – this one is surprisingly simple and comes together with minimal fuss, making it a true weeknight wonder or a showstopper for your next brunch. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone you share it with!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Easy: Seriously, this comes together quicker than you might think.
- Giftable: Imagine gifting a slice (or a whole quiche!) to a friend – pure thoughtfulness!
- Crowd-Pleasing: The combination of sweet pumpkin, savory caramelized onions, and tangy blue cheese is a winner every time.
- Beautifully Rustic: The phyllo dough crust gives it a gorgeous, artisanal look without all the fuss of traditional pastry.
Ingredients
Let’s gather our goodies! This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing those sweet onions)
- 2 cups sliced onions (the star of our savory base – go for yellow or sweet onions!)
- Water, as needed (just a little splash to help those onions get nice and soft)
- 2 cups cubed pumpkin or butternut squash (fresh is best, but good quality canned works in a pinch!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting our squash – adds a lovely depth)
- Salt and pepper, to taste (the essential seasonings!)
- 8 sheets phyllo dough (this is our secret to that amazing crispy crust!)
- ¼ cup olive oil (for brushing our phyllo layers – don’t be shy!)
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten (the binder that holds our delicious filling together)
- 1 cup half and half (for that perfect creamy texture – you could also use milk and cream!)
- 2 ounces crumbled Gorgonzola or other blue cheese (adds a wonderful tangy bite that complements the sweet pumpkin)
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced sage (fresh sage is like a hug for your taste buds in fall recipes!)
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! It’s simpler than you think, and the results are just chef’s kiss.
- Preheat your oven: Get it nice and toasty at 350°F (175°C).
- Caramelize those onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in your sliced onions. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften. If they look dry, add a tiny splash of water. Now, here’s the magic: keep cooking, stirring every so often, until they turn a beautiful, deep golden brown. This could take 20-25 minutes, but oh, is it worth it! Set them aside once they’re perfectly caramelized.
- Roast your pumpkin: Grab a baking sheet and toss your cubed pumpkin or butternut squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out in a single layer. Pop them in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re tender and have little browned edges. Set these aside with the onions.
- Build your rustic crust: Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate. Take one sheet of phyllo dough and lay it in the pie plate, letting the edges hang over a bit. Brush it lightly with olive oil. Now, keep layering the rest of the phyllo sheets, brushing each one with olive oil. Don’t worry about perfection here – the rustic charm is part of the beauty!
- Layer the flavors: Spread your gorgeous caramelized onions evenly over the bottom of the phyllo crust.
- Add the pumpkin: Scatter the roasted pumpkin or butternut squash over the onions.
- Whisk up the custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together your lightly beaten eggs and half and half. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pour it all in: Gently pour the egg mixture evenly over the pumpkin and onion layers.
- Top it off: Sprinkle your crumbled Gorgonzola cheese and thinly sliced sage over the top. That cheese will get wonderfully melty and those sage leaves will infuse so much flavor!
- Bake to perfection: Slide your quiche into the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the center is set (it shouldn’t jiggle much) and the crust is a beautiful golden brown. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy the deliciousness!
Substitutions & Additions
Feel free to play around with this recipe! It’s a fantastic canvas for your creativity.
- Cheese Swap: If blue cheese isn’t your jam, try crumbled goat cheese, sharp cheddar, or Gruyère.
- Veggie Boost: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted red peppers would be delicious additions.
- Herb it Up: Thyme or rosemary can be lovely substitutes or additions to the sage.
- A Little Spice: A pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cayenne pepper can add a subtle warmth.
- Squash Alternatives: Acorn squash or even sweet potato can work in place of pumpkin or butternut squash.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets to make your quiche absolutely perfect:
- Onion Patience: Don’t rush the caramelization of the onions. That slow cooking is what brings out their incredible sweetness.
- Phyllo Handling: Keep your phyllo dough covered with a damp kitchen towel while you work with it so it doesn’t dry out. Work quickly!
- Don’t Overfill: Be careful not to overfill the phyllo crust with the filling ingredients, as it can make it harder for the quiche to set properly.
- Prep Ahead: You can caramelize the onions and roast the pumpkin a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. This makes assembly on baking day a breeze!
How to Store It
Leftovers are a good thing, right? This quiche is delicious cold or reheated.
- Once cooled, wrap any leftover quiche tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat, you can gently warm slices in a toaster oven or a conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. Microwaving works too, but the crust might lose some of its crispiness.
FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use canned pumpkin puree instead of roasting fresh?
A: Yes, you can! If using canned, drain it very well to remove excess moisture. You’ll want about 2 cups. Stir it into the caramelized onions before adding the egg mixture.
Q: My phyllo dough is tearing, what should I do?
A: Don’t worry! That’s the beauty of a rustic crust. Just layer the torn pieces as best you can, brushing each with oil. It will all bake together and look amazing.
Q: How do I know if the quiche is fully cooked?
A: The center should be set and barely jiggle when gently shaken. If you insert a knife near the center, it should come out mostly clean.

Golden Harvest Roasted Pumpkin Quiche
Equipment
- Skillet for sautéing onions
- Baking Sheet for roasting pumpkin
- 9-inch pie plate for assembling the quiche
- Medium bowl for whisking custard
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
- 2 cups sliced onions yellow or sweet onions recommended
- as needed water to help onions soften
For the Roasted Pumpkin
- 2 cups cubed pumpkin or butternut squash fresh or canned (drained)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for roasting
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
For the Crust and Filling
- 8 sheets phyllo dough
- 0.25 cup olive oil for brushing phyllo
- 4 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup half and half or milk and cream
- 2 ounces crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced sage fresh
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Caramelize the onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add a splash of water if dry. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown (20-25 minutes). Set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Roast the pumpkin: Toss cubed pumpkin with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Spread in a single layer and roast for 15-20 minutes until tender. Set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Build the crust: Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate. Layer phyllo sheets, brushing each with olive oil. Let edges hang over.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Layer the flavors: Spread caramelized onions evenly over the phyllo crust.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the pumpkin: Scatter roasted pumpkin over the onions.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Whisk the custard: In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and half and half. Season with salt and pepper.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pour the custard: Gently pour the egg mixture over the pumpkin and onion layers.
- Top it off: Sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese and sliced sage.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Bake: Bake for 35-45 minutes until the center is set and the crust is golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.