The Only Frittata Ratio You Need To Commit To Memory

Frittata can be enjoyed any time of the day, but it works best as a breakfast staple. Loaded with protein and other good stuff, it helps curb hunger until your next meal. It's best relished when it comes out all fluffy and smooth — the glorious result of adding milk and heavy cream — but it's easy to mess it up and accidentally make a soggy batch. To help you achieve the frittata trifecta, Chowhound spoke with chef Billy Parisi, who exclusively told us: "A [ratio of] 6 large [eggs] to ¼ to ½ cup of milk, half and half, or heavy cream... is the standard I adhere to. It lets the eggs be front and center while leveraging the cream to add some richness to it." So, there's no need to overdo it with the dairy, as a small amount goes a long way.

That being said, not accounting for other ingredients you've introduced is a kitchen mistake that will ruin your food. "Frittatas are usually pretty forgiving, but any additional moisture could throw this off, like water vegetables such as spinach or tomatoes," Parisi advises, adding that high-moisture cheese, like mascarpone, might also mess up the ratio. However, this doesn't mean that you need to completely steer clear of water-rich vegetables — though you'll need to swap to other cheese options. "The best thing to do is to pre-cook the vegetables so that they release as much moisture as possible and then use low-moisture cheeses," he says.

Frittata is quite versatile, so you can add almost anything to it — but, of course, low-moisture ingredients are best if you want a velvety finish, without losing the essence of the eggs entirely. Asparagus can be a satisfying addition if you enjoy layers of different textures in your meal. For a savory and meaty touch, you may even introduce sausages to the pan, but it's best to fry them beforehand to avoid messing up the ratio. Cured meats are a no-brainer, though go easy on them if you're keeping your sodium intake in check.

If you really want to get in touch with the dish's Italian roots, leftover pasta can be the key to the ultimate breakfast frittata, but opt for dry pasta, which has 12% less moisture content compared to its fresh counterpart. And to make it an even more fulfilling morning treat, you can even add high-protein vegetables you might be overlooking. Overall, there are endless ingredients that can give a frittata a whole new look, allowing you to customize the dish to better suit your tastes. When in doubt, and you don't want to put your thinking cap on, you can always have fun with the process and ultimately create your own version that makes you feel like you're starting the day right.