One of the most traditional Italian recipes loved by kids and grown-ups. Learn all the tips and tricks to make perfect potato frittata every single time!
Italian Potato Frittata is one of the most traditional Italian recipes you can recreate.
Incredibly easy to make, with very simple ingredients, it's the go-to dish most Italian mums make on a busy weekday, and for loads of good reasons!
This simple everyday dish is cheap, doesn't take more than 30 min to make, and paired with a large green salad, makes a great vegetarian and gluten-free meal on their own.
*This post is sponsored by AHDB Potatoes. All opinions are my own*
What is a Frittata?
There is not an exact translation for the Italian word frittata, but we could roughly translate it to "fried" in English.
Frittata is a traditional Italian egg-based dish, similar to a french omelette, or scrambled eggs.
Meats, cheese or vegetables are usually added into the mix, and is served often for lunch or dinner rather than breakfast.
Frittata VS Quiche
What’s the difference between a French quiche and an Italian frittata?
One of the most obvious differences is that the quiche has a crust base, although it’s not always the case, frittata instead has no crust at all, ever.
The filling is also different.
French quiche has an egg custard filling, made with eggs and milk ( or heavy cream). On the other end, classic frittata has little milk, but usually, it doesn't have milk at all.
Ingredients
This easy and healthy frittata is made in a large skillet (preferably cast iron) and only requires 5 simple ingredients:
- large potatoes
- free-range eggs, parsley
- Grana Padano or Parmesan cheese (which you can omit to make this recipe dairy-free and vegetarian)
- extra virgin olive oil
Like my mum, I love using potatoes as much as I can. They're the most versatile wholesome ingredient I've got in my pantry.
So, I immediately jumped on board when the AHDB Potatoes (the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) contacted me.
They asked me to create a potato recipe for the campaign Potatoes: More than a bit on the side, to show you how incredible this spud is. And I mean, I couldn't go wrong by sharing my favourite potato frittata recipe.
Instructions
There are two different techniques to cook the frittata. Some people prefer to cook frittata using the stovetop-to-oven skillet method.
However, if you want to follow the Italian way, you should cook it entirely on the stovetop.
This involves a little risk-taking, and flip the frittata in the skillet (that doesn’t always end well honestly).
I use the two methods interchangeably, so I’ve added both below.
I've cooked loads of frittatas over the years, but growing up with my mum's tasty potato frittata (which she would make on a weekly basis), this is definitely my favourite.
Now, let's see how simple and pretty much straight forward is to make this favourite Italian recipe.
- Start by peeling and cube all the potatoes, boil them up for 5 minutes, or until just tender.
- In the meantime, whisk the eggs with parsley and cheese (if using) until well combined.
- Whisk generously, because this will give your frittata a nice fluffy texture.
- Add in the potatoes and season the whole mixture generously with salt and pepper.
- Although the classic recipe doesn't call for it, you can also add some finely sliced stir-fried red onions into your frittata mixture.
The key for a great frittata is a very hot no stick frying pan.
- Heat a 6-inch (16 cm) skillet over medium-low heat, and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
- Pour the mixture into the pan, and cook with the lid on for about 5 minutes, gently shaking the pan every now and then.
- When the surface of the frittata looks cooked through, the frittata is almost ready.
- To finish it off, you can transfer the skillet (in this case, make sure you’re using a cast-iron skillet) into a hot oven and broil for 2 minutes.
Alternatively, you can go the traditional route, and flip the frittata.
- Slide a spatula beneath the frittata to separate it from the skillet, then place a plate with the same diameter of the frittata, on top of it, and flip it on to the plate.
- Slide the frittata back into the skillet, and cook it without the lid, for a further 2 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and carefully slide the frittata onto a serving plate, ready to serve.
You can also totally make mini frittata to serve for breakfast or to dinner parties.
Simply pour the potato and egg mixture in a well-oiled muffin tin, and bake in a pre-heated oven to 180 C for about 20 minutes.
More traditional Italian recipes to try:
- Water Cake: A Dairy-free, Egg-free, Magic Cake
- Tuscan Panzanella Salad with Parma Ham
- Italian Homemade Pizza Dough
Classic Italian Potato Frittata
Ingredients
- 500 gr medium-large potatoes
- 6 eggs
- handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 60 gr Grana Padano or Parmesan Cheese, grated (optional)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel and chop the potatoes into 1-inch large cubes.
- In a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, boil the potatoes for about 5 min, until just tender.
- In the meantime, in a large bowl whisk the eggs until well combined, add in chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper.
- Drain well the potatoes and add them into the bowl with the eggs. Fold in the cheese and lightly mix all ingredients.
- Heat a large pan with the olive oil over medium heat. Fold in the frittata mixture, making sure to distribute the potatoes evenly over the bottom of the pan.
- Cover with a lid and cook for 10 min, gently shaking the pan every now and then. When the frittata is easily pulled off from the bottom, is ready to be turned. Using a plate with the same diameter of the frittata, carefully put it on top and flip the frittata on the other side.
- Cook on the other side for a further 5-7 min, this time without the lid.
- When the frittata is fully cooked, remove from the pan and serve on a large plate.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I’m looking for frittata recipes and I picked this one as the best. I would probably bake it instead because I don’t have that iron pan. How long and what temperature you think is good? Can I use these nonstick pan instead of iron pan? Appreciate your advice thank you.
Hi Sue, I'm so glad you picked this recipe, and I can guarantee it's my absolute favourite (and I'm Italian, so I grew up eating frittatas!). Non-stick pans unless specifically made for oven uses, cannot go in the oven, so you have two options: either make it the Italian way and use a non-stick pan over the hob, then place a plate to turn the frittata and put it back in the pan half-way through cooking time (I explain this process better here: https://www.thepetitecook.com/italian-frittata-with-spinach-and-peas/ ), or you can place the frittata mixture in a cake pan and bake it in the oven at 180C/360F for about 30 minutes (but check every 10 minutes to be sure). If you need any help or you have any question, please send me a message on my Instagram (www.instagram.com/thepetitecook) so I can get back to you straight away!
Love to make these easy, 6 ingredient dishes! This one is gorgeous and I'm wishing I had it in front of me for breakfast right now! Just pinned...great recipe 🙂
I love frittatas! We often have them dinner too! It is really comfort food at it's finest! I didn't know that originally they had parmesan in them.
This looks absolutely delicious. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or tea and something the whole family would love!
Love that this is an easy recipe! Great photos btw!
Frittatas are always a hit in our house and this one looks so hearty and delicious. I love the idea of pairing it with a green salad and maybe a glass of chilled wine! Perfection.
This frittata is very similar to a Spanish potato omelette, this does sound incredible, and like you said the perfect midweek dinner, easy to make and cheap
So how many potatoes is 500 gr?
I want t9 make this tonight for the first night of Lent...
Hi Theresa, 500gr of potatoes are roughly 3 large potatoes, but make sure to weight them first 🙂
I’m a total chicken, I would need to finish this off under a grill. If I attempted to flip, it would be all over the kitchen floor!
I Love Potetos! So I think It's the perfect for me!
Love the simplicity of this recipe.
Great and easy filling breakfast with goodness of eggs and potatoes Love it any day. brings this simple classic dish make start of the day great
This is such a comforting meal and it need ingredients that are available in every pantry. Looks wonderful!
I love frittata.. and potato is always a great addition. I love how simple and quick this is to make. We a big potato eaters in our house so this would be awesome for our weekend breakfast.
I love frittatas. So easy & comforting, and they can be eaten any time of the day. Yours looks delicious!
Beautiful frittata. An easy meal that does well for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. My mamma and papà loved meals like this and so did I. I just don't make it often enough! That is about to change.
Aah, I want this dish so bad right now! I love potatoes and I love frittatas. I'll definitely be making this recipe soon! Beautiful photos too!
I love the simplicity of this recipe. I cant wait to try this dish on Sunday's breakfast.
Potatoes and eggs are a classic combination. I think every culture has a traditional dish or meal made with these two items. Your recipe seems easy enough to make even on a busy morning.
Such a beautiful dish! Looks hearty and satisfying - perfect for a family weekend breakfast or brunch!
Very nice twist to a frittata, I grew up enjoying Spanish Tortilla a la Espanola which is made with eggs and potatoes too. Perfect to eat as a meal or for appetizers and tapas. Yummy!
What a great dish. Perfect for brunch or dinner. I am a potato lover, and we often have eggs for dinner. This is a win win all the way around.
I love those big golden chunks of potatoes in there...this looks wonderful!
Cheap and fast, my kind of meal! We love potatoes, and my husband and daughters love eggs, so this is the perfect dish for our family.