Western Omelet Frittata

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This Western Omelet Frittata is packed with bell peppers, red onion, ham, and cheese for an easy, healthy, and high-protein breakfast. It's absolutely delicious!

267 CAL 6g CARBS 16g FAT 24g PROTEIN 4
1 Comment

This Western Omelet Frittata is packed with bell peppers, red onion, ham, and cheese for an easy, healthy, and high-protein breakfast. It's absolutely delicious!

This western frittata takes all the flavors of this classic diner omelet and combines them in a simple baked frittata. It's great for meal prep, delicious warm or room temperature, and works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

I have always been a sucker for a good Western omelet, especially on brunch dates! I love the combination of red onions, bell peppers, ham, and cheese. However, I don't love the calorie count. Many restaurant omelets have between 500-750 calories and between 30-40 grams of fat! As much as I crave this omelet, I couldn't justify using a good chunk of my calories on one dish.

Luckily, it's easy to make a healthier version at home that tastes just as good. Since omelets can be a bit tricky, I like to make a frittata instead. Plus, it keeps better in the fridge if there are leftovers!

Whether you call this an omelet, frittata, or just an egg recipe, you are going to love it! Enjoy it for breakfast, or brunch, or even save it for your lunch later in the week. Egg lovers will also want to try these recipes: Broccoli and Cheese Frittata, Sweet Potato and Spinach Egg Muffins, and Asparagus Feta Frittata.

Western frittata made with eggs, bell peppers, red onion, and ham  served on two plates with a fork.

What You’ll Need and Easy Swaps

All of the ingredients are whole and fresh and add incredible flavor to this egg recipe. Here's what I used in my frittata.

  • Eggs: I used the entire egg for this frittata. If you are trying to replace egg yolks with egg whites, the rule to remember is that it takes 2 egg whites to equal 1 egg.
  • Milk: Use skim milk. If you are lactose intolerant, you can use your favorite type of non-dairy milk. Just make sure it is unsweetened.
  • Olive Oil: You only need enough olive oil to coat the bottom of your skillet so you can cook the vegetables. You can replace olive oil with avocado oil or ghee.
  • Onion: Dice the onion really small, unless you enjoy the taste of onion slices. I used red onion, but you can use white or yellow instead.
  • Bell Peppers: Any type of peppers will taste delicious in this omelet! I used red and green bell peppers, diced up really small. You can use yellow bell peppers or add some jalapenos or serranos for a little spice.
  • Ham: To cut back on fat and calories, use lean ham. I like to dice up ham steaks or lean lunch meat. You could also swap in turkey bacon, sausage, or deli turkey but then it won’t be a true western omelet.
  • Garlic: Mince a garlic clove fresh for the best flavor. In a pinch, you can use garlic powder instead. This isn’t traditional but I love the extra flavor it adds.
  • Shredded Cheese: Use reduced-fat cheese or full fat - whatever you prefer. Cheddar cheese is typically used in a Western omelet, but you can have fun and use any other type of cheese. Pepper jack will add some spice, mozzarella will add a creamier texture, goat cheese or feta cheese gives you some more bite.

What To Serve With A Western Omelette

What you serve with it depends on when you are eating it. Since this has so much protein in it, I like to enjoy a bowl of sliced fruit on the side. This banana berry smoothie has lots of fruity flavors and protein in it too. For extra fiber, enjoy an English muffin with some butter!

If you are making this for your breakfast, then make some Greek yogurt and flax pancakes with it. They are full of gut-healthy fiber and nutrients.

Or, these baked blueberry banana squares are perfect any time of day. They add a bit of sweetness to the savory omelet.

If you are serving this omelet for lunch or dinner, pair it with this tasty Spinach Salad or a bowl of spicy tomato soup.

Recipe Tips And Ideas For The Western Frittata

Follow these tips to make sure that this frittata turns out perfectly every single time!

  • Pan-fry the vegetables before you use them in the omelet. This will soften them, so they aren't too crispy in the soft eggs. Try different veggies like in this Vegetable Frittata.
  • Pre-cook the omelet in the frying pan. This helps the edges and middle firm up and prevents it from burning in the broiler.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet! This way, you will be able to do all the pan-frying and move it to the broiler without trying to figure out how to transfer it to an oven-safe dish.
  • Turn leftovers into the most delicious Breakfast Tacos.

Piece of a western frittata on a serving fork with eggs, peppers, onions, and ham cooked in a skillet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…

Can I add tomatoes to it?

Yes, tomatoes will taste delicious in this omelet frittata. Either slice them really thin and add them to the egg mixture or chop up some cherry or grape tomatoes and mix them in. Both options are perfect ways to add tomatoes!

What are some healthy condiments to add to frittatas?

This frittata has so much flavor that you might want to use a lighter-tasting condiment. Sugar-free ketchup, salsa, or even some hot sauce or all great low-calorie options.

What is the difference between an omelet and a frittata?

The main difference between them is how you cook them. Frittatas are slowly cooked over low heat, while omelets are cooked quickly over high heat. In my recipe, I did a combination of both! I cooked it really quickly on the stove and then placed it under the broiler.

How do you store leftover frittata?

The best way to store leftover frittata is in an airtight food storage container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do you make this dairy-free?

It's really easy to make this frittata dairy-free. Just use your favorite dairy-free milk replacement instead of skim milk. I like unsweetened almond milk the best. Then, replace the cheese with your preferred dairy-free cheese. It will still taste delicious!

Cast iron skillet with a Western frittata cooked with cheddar cheese, lean ham, peppers, and onions being held by two hands.

More Delicious Egg Recipes You’ll Love:

The Recipe
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Western Omelet Frittata

267 CAL 6g CARBS 16g FAT 24g PROTEIN 4
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 20 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 8 eggs
  • 1/4 cup skim milk
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup green pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup red pepper, diced
  • 1 cup diced lean ham
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

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Instructions

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1

Preheat the broiler. Whisk together the eggs, egg whites, milk, salt, and pepper.

Eggs, milk, salt, and pepper being whisked in a bowl.
2

Heat the oil over medium heat in a nonstick pan. Add the onions, green peppers, and red peppers. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add the ham and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

Diced ham, bell peppers, onions, and garlic cooking in a cast iron skillet.
3

Pour the egg mixture over the top and sprinkle cheese over top. Cook until edges are set and middle is just beginning to firm up, about 4-5 minutes.

Whisked eggs and shredded cheese being added to a skillet.
4

Place under the broiler, about 6 inches away, and cook until eggs are cooked through and puffed up about 3 minutes. Let cool and cut into slices to serve.

Western omelet frittata cit into slices and being served.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 267
Calories from Fat 139
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g
24%
Saturated Fat 5g
25%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 394mg
132%
Sodium 701mg
30%
Total Carbohydrate 6g
2%
Dietary Fiber 1g
4%
Sugars 3g
Protein 24g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
1 Comment
On Western Omelet Frittata
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Christine R.
November 7, 2022 - 05:02
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5
I work for a group home on the weekends and got a request from one of our individuals for a western omelet. I used your slimmed down recipe for a frittata because it was a lot healthier and easier to make for 6 people than individual omelets. The only thing I changed was to cut the ham down to 1 cup, since our individuals are obstructed from being as active as most people. They loved, loved, loved it! Thank you so much for sharing.
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