Frittata with Orzo and Ham

October 24, 2014

Weekday mornings are a freakshow at my house. Is it just me? Please, let it not just be me.

I don’t get it. Even though I make lunches the night before, make sure homework is done and favorite t-shirts are clean, get the backpacks loaded and ready, set alarm clocks in advance…it’s still chaos. Just pure pandemonium.

Someone can’t find her library book. Or her gym shoes. Or the hairbrush. Someone’s going through a growth spurt of epic proportions and needs three breakfasts before heading out the door. The dog is desperate to go outside and the cat is sneaking dog food and Holy Jesus, who clogged that toilet?

If there’s any trick or shortcut that can make my mornings even a sliver more manageable, I jump on it.

In my case, it’s the humble frittata. If I have slices of frittata on hand, there’s at least one person in the morning who I don’t have to worry about: my husband.

Yeah, I make my husband breakfast on weekday mornings. Doesn’t everyone?

You do, right?

Ahem.

Well, in any case, I do. He works really hard and chalks up some serious hours at the hospital, and I just feel better if I can send him off in the morning with something nourishing in his belly, so he won’t be chowing on a big, greasy bear claw or donut later.

Frittatas fit the bill. I make a huge frittata loaded with goodies on Sunday, let it cool, and then cut it into individual portions, wrap ’em up, and it’s ready for the week.

A week overflowing with freakshow mornings that I never seem to get a handle on.

This frittata is a little different, because it uses pasta in place of the usual potatoes. I like it because it feels a little bit lighter than the potato-studded variety, and it slices beautifully and keeps together well when portioned out and stored in the refrigerator. My husband likes it because it’s delicious and reheats like a dream.

Even if you aren’t afflicted with freakshow mornings, you should give this a try. It also makes for a terrific lunch or light supper when paired with a green salad (and perhaps a glass of Pinot Grigio).  You’ll love it, I promise.

 

Frittata with Orzo and Ham

adapted from recipe by Giada De Laurentis

serves 5-6

 

3/4 cup orzo pasta

6 eggs

1/3 cup whole milk ricotta

1/4 cup sour cream

2 cups diced cooked ham

2 chopped shallots

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

1/2 cup diced roasted red bell pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

 

Preheat the oven to 375.

Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook about 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine eggs, ricotta and sour cream. Whisk together until everything is combined. Add the cooked pasta, ham, shallots, parsley, roasted bell pepper, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.

Pour the mixture into a well-buttered 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until just set. Turn on the broiler and place the dish under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the frittata is golden on top. Cut into wedges.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Jamie October 24, 2014 at 5:52 am

Best. Wife. Ever.

But I’ve seen pics of hubby, so I know why’d you do such a crazy thing ;)

Reply

Lisa @ The Meaning of Me October 24, 2014 at 7:31 am

I’m going to have to crawl out from under my rock and make a frittata. I’ve never actually eaten one, never mind made one.

Reply

Annie October 24, 2014 at 11:16 am

Oh wow do I need this right now in my weekday mornings. Insanity is correct. I feed my husband too and he usually needs more than a muffin. Love the use of pasta- the kids will be all over it also!

Reply

Erica October 24, 2014 at 11:25 am

I love leftover frittata for exactly that reason. I never though of using pasta. Genius! I’m doing that this weekend. Thanks!

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Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes October 24, 2014 at 11:49 am

My husband is a strict no-breakfast-er. So I never have to worry about him. But I do love frittata. Many an dinner has been saved by this humble, yet versatile dish.

Reply

Virginia October 28, 2014 at 7:25 am

Woohoo! I do so love frittatas! I’ll have to try this one, I’ve never tried one with pasta and I totally have orzo lying around.

Orzo is probably my secret favorite pasta. It’s so small I forget about it but then I eat it and am all, “Oooh! You are so awesome!”.

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Tiffany November 19, 2014 at 8:24 pm

You are an awesome wife!

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