Hunting for the Original Bisquick Impossible Quiche Recipe
Impossible Quiche
Impossible Quiche - A Much Loved Retro Family Recipe
Some of you may recall Bisquick® impossible quiche, made popular in the 1970s as a recipe printed on boxes of Bisquick mix. Easy and quick to make, this tasty pseudo-quiche dish was a huge hit in our family for years. We would make it for breakfast, for lunch, or as a main course for dinner, and we also enjoyed the leftovers cold from the refrigerator.
This dish was called “impossible” because it made its own crust as it baked. There was no need to create a separate bottom crust before adding the main ingredients, which were bacon, onion, eggs, milk, cheese, and Bisquick mix. Baking in a hot oven, this concoction magically became a glorious, thick quiche-like pie with a golden surface. Once out of the oven and cooled a bit, it sliced cleanly and released from the pan flawlessly.
Impossible Quiche Recipe Gone Missing
About two years ago I developed an inexplicable craving for impossible quiche. I don’t know what triggered the urge. For two decades I had never once thought of this dish, but all of a sudden I was on a mission to buy a box of Bisquick. I was stunned to discover that not one box of Bisquick in the store featured this recipe from my early married years. I probably looked like an idiot in the baking goods aisle, reading glasses perched on my nose, pulling out different sized boxes of Biquick, scouring the minuscule print on tops, bottoms, sides, fronts, and backs for any sign of the impossible quiche recipe.
At some point, the impossible quiche recipe had disappeared from the Bisquick box. The disappearance wasn’t anything we noticed, because by the 1980s we had drastically changed the way we ate. In keeping with the low-fat diet recommendations that became so popular in the early 80s, I had tossed many recipes for the heavy, rich foods we favored then into the back of my wooden recipe card file and basically forgot about them, as I had forgotten the impossible quiche. Then, with the advent of computers and word processing, I started saving new recipes on disk, and the old wooden box slipped somewhere out of sight and out of mind.
I remember coming home from the store that day to spend entirely too much time searching the Internet for the recipe I remembered. I found plenty of Bisquick "impossible pie" recipes, and even some sites claiming to hold the "original Bisquick impossible quiche recipe". But none of these recipes rang the right bell in my memory. Time passed, once again, as I put the craving and the hunt for the original recipe out of my mind.
The Found Recipe
The Past Appears in the Present
A few weeks ago, in a major cleaning and reorganizing spurt, I tackled my bookcases with a vengeance. I was tired of hunting for books in a system which had become disorganized through the years, and I was seriously questioning why I still hung on to books I hadn't given a thought to in a long, long time. On a shelf, behind a group of Nevada Barr paperbacks, I discovered the old wooden recipe file box.
I was surprised to see how well it was organized, especially in contrast to the disarray that had befallen the bookcases. Index divider cards separated categories of recipes in alphabetical order: appetizers first, desserts next, and so on. I looked through each category, curious about what I had so carefully saved and then abandoned. Behind the index card labeled "Main Dishes", I found a hand-written card labeled "Impossible Quiche".
A Word about Salt
Through the years, our family has tended to use less and less salt. If you’ve been cutting down on salt, too, then you will find this impossible quiche shockingly salty.
To reduce the salt content, eliminate the salt called for in the recipe and use six or eight strips of bacon instead of 12. You could also try reduced sodium bacon.
The Impossible Quiche Recipe, Just as I Found It
- 12 Bacon strips, cooked to crisp, drained, and crumbled
- 1 Cup Swiss cheese, shredded (about 4 ounces)
- 1/3 Cup onion, diced
- 2 Cups milk
- 1 Cup Bisquick
- 4 Eggs
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/8 Teaspoon ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Lightly grease a 10-inch pie plate.
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and diced onion (in that order) evenly over the bottom of the pie plate.
Beat the eggs with the salt and pepper.
Stir in the milk.
Add the Bisquick and beat until smooth.
Pour over the ingredients in the pie plate.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the quiche comes out clean.
Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Makes 8 servings.
A Slice of Impossible Quiche
Variations
After the quiche is assembled in the pie plate, scatter about a cup of any of these coarsely chopped vegetables, alone or combined, onto the surface:
- Frozen or fresh broccoli
- Frozen spinach that has been thawed and thoroughly pressed to remove all water
- Fresh green, red, or yellow sweet bell peppers
Serving Suggestions
For breakfast, pair with sliced mango or fresh orange sections.
For lunch, serve with a fresh green salad tossed with your favorite dressing.
For dinner, serve with sides of steamed sugarsnap peas and mashed rutabaga or steamed carrots. These vegetables add beautiful color to the plate and provide a good nutritional balance to the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the quiche.
True to Memory
Although I have no direct proof, such as the physical recipe cut from the Bisquick box, nor any memory of transcribing the recipe from the box onto the card, it does appear that this would be the original recipe. It makes sense that I would have written the short recipe onto a conveniently sized card rather than risk losing a small square of cardboard at the bottom of the file box.
This Easter my daughter and I added the quiche to our dinner menu. She did not remember this recipe from those long-ago times, but from the moment I took the quiche from the oven, sliced it into wedges, and took the first bite, I knew this was the original recipe, that is, until forensic culinary science provides evidence to the contrary.
Comments
LOL Fay...I'm not the only one! Make it, make it! It will bring back wonderful memories, and for those who have never had it, their socks will get knocked off.
Bisquick is remarkable -- with just about anything. I have started making a crustless quiche (carb-watching), and it is remarkably good. But not as good as the real thing! This looks like a great my-son-just-got-home-from-college breakfast. He will love it. Thanks!
My mom used to make these pies all the time! I too forgot about them until a couple of months ago, I came across my grandmother's "Bisquick Cookbook"! It has all the great impossible pie recipes in there! Such a wonderful blast from the past! Love those impossible pies! A fun hub, thanks!
Sally, that's the perfect occasion for this hearty, delectable, sinfully good comfort food. Don't forget the fruit...it'll make everybody feel less guilty. :)
Erin, I am so glad to read your comment. I'll have to do a bit more research now into the editions of the "Bisquick Cookbook." At the time I knew this recipe, it was called Impossible Quiche, not Impossible Pie. Looks like I'll have to get away from the laptop and take a trip to the library, or at least query the current Bisquick empire to get some historical information. Meanwhile, can you tell me whether your grandmother's book called this dish pie or quiche, whether it called for four eggs or two, and in what year the book was published?
Thanks so much for a great comment and sharing your experience, like mine, of having forgotten.
Okay, the name of the booklet is The Best of Bisquick from Betty Crocker and is dated 1983. Now looking at it, I realize that your recipe IS a quiche and NOT a pie! But this book is full of Impossible Pie recipes...everything from Impossible Green-Chili Cheese pie to Impossible Cheesecake. They only call for 2 eggs vs. the 4 eggs in your quiche. Unfortunately, they don't have the quiche recipe in this book! Bummer! Sorry, I thought they were the same thing! But I still love those Impossible pies and find them so convenient and yummy! Have a great day!
Erin, TY so much for that. As I said earlier, there's room for forensic culinary science, if it were a discipline, which it seems it is not.
I did find a recent Hub here on HP which referenced the 4 eggs instead of 2, and also listed the exact ingredients from my Hub. I'll get in touch with the author to find out where she found that recipe.
Life is good.
Your photo looks delicious, and I think this quiche would be a great potluck brunch item. I go to a Methodist church and we turn everything into a potluck dish, you know!
dearabbysmom, I love potlucks! You know, if you want to play around with cooking times, you could probably make these in muffin tins, lined or not, as canapés. One recipe would probably make a lot. Lucky church members when you arrive with these. :)
Yum, that is the best quiche ever, thanks, the pictures are awesome, mouthwatering.
Ruby, you're making ME hungry! Thanks so much for reading and leaving the good words. I enjoyed taking those pictures, btw.
Oh, wow--I was just thinking about this last week, and wondering once again, what kind of chemical magic happens in the oven to cause the crust to form automatically!
I used to like this, as well! Thanks for finding and testing the recipe. Bookmarked!! Voted up, useful & awesome!
Lizzy, isn't it interesting how we get those longings, seemingly out of nowhere? A few weeks ago I got to thinking about this awful-looking mess my mother would make out of hamburger meat and cream of mushroom soup. Probably one of those wonderful vintage recipes off the soup can. Since then, I've made it three times, and finally got it to where I remember it. It is soooo bad for you, and so, so good! Thanks for sharing!
Beautifully written and thank you for the recipe.
Oh boy! Bisquick! I love it as much today as i did growing up. I've never made the quiche, or the pies, but I do use it for pancakes and dumplings. As you know, one of my daughter's favorite meals that I make is the stew with dumplings. I like the pancakes because they come out fluffier than the packaged mix.
A nice memory here :)
H,h, you are welcome, and thank you for the good words!
Trish, Bisquick certainly is one of those iconic foods from our past. I'm happy it's still so popular today. I wish I had a bowl of your stew with dumplings right now, because I know exactly how good it tastes!
I too also remember eating this years ago. We would have it quite often. Now I am craving it :) Thanks so much for finding your recipe and for writing this as I will be making this really soon. I also want to try your variations.
Susan, it's been really nice to make this recipe after so many years. Although my daughter ate it as a young child, she didn't remember it. So when I made the quiche you see in the photos, I asked my daughter to come over and help. We had such a good time working and talking in the kitchen! This recipe is even more special to me now. I hope when you make it, you'll be also making new happy memories.
Hi Sally - isn't it wonderful when you find what you were looking for right under your very nose! What a great way to present a recipe! I remember that quiches were big in the 70's. I always used lots of spinach!
Dolores, I loved the serendipity of re-discovering this recipe. Who knew? Glad you enjoyed the presentation. Every recipe has a story behind it, just waiting to be told. :)
Impossible Quiche -- I love it.
Love this hub! When my kids were in high school I bought the new Betty Crocker Bisquick 2 Cookbook. I was so excited about it we had Bisquick meals for probably a month straight. We sort of over dosed on Bisquick. I still like it, but I don't think my adult children will be searching for recipes any time soon.
marimccants, thanks for reading and commenting!
Green Art, I hear you. It's really easy to get carried away with Bisquick, and then having too much of a good thing kicks in. But don't be surprised when one of your adult children gets a craving for one of those meals one day and surprises you with a Bisquick pie!
I have a feeling that this is the recipe I've been looking for that a local little breakfast place is making! Thank you!!!!
That is so cool, Audrey! That little breakfast place has a smart cook. :)
Oh my god, this hub make me feel hungry. It makes me recall the taste of quiche that my mum made for me and my sister previously. Thanks.
I looove Quiche. I will definitely have to try this. I made Quiche 1 time but it didn't tasted very good.
I remember my mother making something simular to this. I am a fan of baking things from scratch, so I have developed a habit of collecting old cookbooks. (I have one that was made by Carrie Ingalls...Lara Ingalls Wilder's sister.) I will have to bookmark this so I may make it for my family. Thanks!!
Yongat and Pamela, thanks so much for reading and commenting.I promise you, this recipe makes a delicious impossible quiche!
I haven't made this recipe in a long time, but it's one of my favorites!
You're gonna fall in love all over again. :)
I remember this recipe. I always loved it and will try it again.
LULU, good for you. It's the best!
Looks good, I may try to make one too, nice article too.
Thanks for the good words, Jack. It's really easy to make...enjoy.
How very delightful! I remember this quiche too, only I never copied the recipe and put it away, but have often wondered why I didn't! I'm so happy you found this little box behind the novels and shared this with us. This will make a lovely Sunday brunch when the kids come home for a visit.
Duchess, I was so surprised, and so happy, to find that hand-written recipe. I'm delighted that you'll now be able to make your memory.
Guess what? My daughter wanted to make Rice Krispie treats the other day, and the recipe is no longer on the cereal box! This is going to be another one of those great food industry recipes that bites the dust without proper conservancy. LOL!
I have the recipe if you want it LOL
Yea! So some of us are indeed preserving it for the future. :)
I have the original recipe booklet from 1983...all the impossible pies are in it...from Impossible Bacon, to Seafood, to Taco, to Brownie to Cheesecake to Zucchini/Tomato...the only one I am having trouble with is the Cheesecake...It was on the back page and some of the edge of the booklet chipped off (that's how dried up this booklet is)...so now I don't know the exact measurements for sugar and Bisquick in the recipe...the rest is all there.
If anyone wants any of the recipes...I'll be more than glad to send them to you! I remember it was on the box when my mother bought it back in '83...I was 18 years old then. I have made most of the pies in it...I just made the Bacon Pie and now I am going to do the Buttermilk dessert pie.
Juliette, thank you so much for sharing your memories. A great way to share these old recipes and your memories about them would be to open an account on HP. It's a fun and supportive writing community. You could write a Hub like I did. That would also give you an opportunity for conversation with the many here who are interested in food...and memories.
I know what you mean by dried-up booklets. I spent this past weekend with my mother, going through her books. She's wanting to pare them down to make clean spaces. We started with cookbooks. What treasures we found, many of them dried-up or worse. Some of them were from food brands like McCormick or Betty Crocker, and some were collections of local family recipes that were put together into books to be fund-raisers for churches and schools. Most of these books were yellowed, a bit torn here and there, and very dry! I took all of them home with me, because they are a wealth of information, not just about food, but about how we lived at those times.
It was hard for my mom to give these up. I admired her so much when she said to me, "You'll give them a new life with your writing."
You can do that, too.
Thanks again for your awesome comment.
quiche I never heard about something like this. your quiche
I think I am gonna like it. If u have any video of your quiche making please notify me
I first learned of this recipe when I met my wife 27 years ago. She introduced me to the Impossible Quiche recipe. She said she had been making it since she moved out on her own in the mid 1970s.
The one she shared with me varied slightly from the one you posted. The difference is that hers includes 3 eggs and a stick of butter. All the ingredients, with the exception of the shredded cheese (and what ever addional sprinkles are added, bacon, broccoli, shrimp, spinach etc) are placed in a blender and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is added to a greased pan and the cheese and other ingredients are then dropped into the liquid mix. it is then baked at 350 for 45 to 60 minutes, doneness determined by the dry toothpick method.
sagar-chinese, no, I have no video. *sigh* Maybe some day.
Ken, TY so much for sharing.
lol, I loved this hub! I have never made it, but it seems like I remember my mother making something similar to this with chicken. yummy!
TY so much, stayingalivemoma, for commenting and sharing. Now you have the essential recipe...replace most of the bacon with chicken!
Your quiche looks and sound delicious. I think I will make it for our next teacher's meeting potluck. It's sure to be a winner.
KKG, hot or cold, it is a winner!
My mom used to make this in the 70's. It was one of the few ways to get me to eat eggs. But hers had 3 eggs and 1/2 cup butter! I still make it but I have the butter down to 2 T. We always added sautéed mushrooms along with the bacon. And green onions. I have one in the oven right now!!
Vencogirl, thanks so much for sharing how your mother's recipe has been a part of your life. The mushrooms and green onions sound like wonderful additions!
A great addition to this recipe is tomato. I've used a can of diced tomato, drained, it is just great with ham and cheese.
AtoZMOM, I love adding a can of diced tomato to just about anything. Thanks for this tip!
This is totally sends me back! I'm going to start listing recommended recipes at the bottom of mine, starting with this one! Yum!
LOL Eloise. TY so much for the comment!
I meant the bottom of my recipes, not my bottom! (didn't put that clearly, somehow...)
I thought you were quite clear...didn't misunderstand at all :)
I also have an old recipe flyer from Bisquick,for impossoble pies. Have had since the 80's....in an old wooden recipe box. I keep all the oldies but goodies. Enjoyed your piece!
quilt827, thank you so much for your comment. Sounds like you and I have clipped a lot of recipes through time. I'm finding that my collection is bringing a great deal of joy not only to me but to others. The recipes remind me of times gone by and serve as a stimulus to writing about what was going on then. I love that you have one of those old wooden boxes, too!
I was looking all over for the impossible quiche recipe, looked at my Bisquick box and no recipe...went on-line..not the recipe I remebered it to be.I made regular quiche tonight, then looked on-line again for the Bisquick recipe, found yours! I can't wait to make it. Thank you so much!
eileen, what a great comment! You are testament to the fact that this original impossible quiche recipe is not so easy to find. Thanks so much for sharing your experience...you will love it when you make it. :)
Wonderful! I made this tonight for my family; my son recently chose to become a vegetarian and is looking for high protein options without the gooey eggy texture. This fit the bill perfectly. I browned the onions and other vegetables slightly before adding them to the recipe. Thanks for bringing back the memories and the recipe!
Kathleen, thanks so much for leaving your very informative comment. There are plenty of non-meat ways to get flavor into this dish without using the bacon, and then this dish is perfect for a vegetarian meal. Your son has an awesome mother!
Hi- Kathleen again. I forgot to mention in my last note that I used Morningstar Farms vegetarian bacon when I prepared the Impossible Quiche!
LOL Kathleen...so you do have the bacon flavor. I've never used the product, so I'd never have thought about it. Thanks so much for adding this info. :)
Back a few comments Sally Trove mentioned that Rice Krispie treats are not written on the boxes anymore. Surpise look inside the box, as long as you purchase the
original Rice Krispies the receipe is on the inside.
I am making small muffin tin impossible quiches for an exchange, hope they work out ok. Thanks for posting the receipe, I'm sure it will bring back good memories!!
Bcmama, TY so much for that tip about looking inside the box. I never thought of that, nor did my daughter! Will do. Now, why would they put that inside the box and not on the outside...must be some extraordinary marketing reason for that, especially since Autumn TV campaigns to advertise Rice Krispies featured making treats in Halloween designs.
As for the impossible quiches in muffin tins, yes! Please let us know how that worked out for you.
I always tought this was one of the best Bisquick recipes ever, and have always wondered why they don't put it on the box anymore-- maybe because it doesn't use very much Bisquick. I still make it, but my variation is with cheddar, ham dices, a little Mexican seasoning and canned ortega green chilies-- serve with salsa.
Works for brunch or supper.
Rochelle, I don't know why they don't put it on the box anymore. It was a classic hit in the 70s and very much the reason I bought Bisquick in those years. Who knows?
Your variation is awesome! A taste of Mexico. I'll have a margarita with that, please. TY for sharing.
I have the 1983 The Best of Bisquick recipe book and it is called Impossible Ham & Swiss Pie but it does offer a variation using 12 crispy strips of bacon. This has been a long standing favorite of our for years.
Jean, thanks for sharing your experience and also for giving a clue to the original impossible quiche recipe. I think that by 1983, the recipe had come off the box. But we do all love it, in any variation. :)
Hi I misplaced my impossible quiche recipe and went online and found this site. I was nice so many people besides me likes this recipe. I dropped the meat and use only two cups of sharp chedder cheese. I introduced this to my community outreach ministry thirteen years ago as a quick and easy meal for lunch with juice and fruit, it was such a hit and I have been making monthly it ever since! I am preparing one for a holiday brunch tomorrow.
Jewel, thank you for sharing your modifications to this time-tested impossible quiche recipe. You are so right...it's easy and always satisfying, and definitely a hit at gatherings!
Impossible Quiche? This brings back memories. I loved this recipe years ago but I have to say that I'd forgotten all about it. Thanks for sharing your quest and the recipe too.
Sinea, thank YOU for reading and commenting. I hope you'll make this impossible quiche soon and let it bring back the good memories. :)
Yes, I remember those impossible pies from my childhood and after reading all the comments decided to clean out my frig by making my variation of impossible pie, added mushrooms, onions, zuchinni, 1/2 pet milk, 1/2 milk, swiss cheese and will top it with chopped tomatoes and parmesan when removing from oven. My Oh My what a wonderful Supper!!
caregvr, how awesome! The beauty of this recipe is that it can incorporate anything you like, including stuff that needs to leave the fridge. Super comment.
For the past 3-4 months I have been making an Impossible Quiche for our church's after service social time which is sort of a mini potluck. Each week I make a different variation to keep them from getting bored. Everyone loves them!
One time I forgot to put the melted butter into the blender! It turned out just fine withou all that extra fat. (I usually use only 1/2 of the original amount anyway.)
Another time I heard the timer go off and thought, I'll get it in a minute. I plumb forgot and 20 minutes later frantically remembered to pull it out. No problem. Not even leathery!
This is a very versitile AND forgiving recipe!
Enjoy all the feedback from everyone.
Happy New Year to all!!!!!
Dr. Ken
HorseyHubby (Dr. Ken), I agree with you completely. This is a totally versatile and forgiving recipe. I have no idea what anyone could ever do to make it fail.
Thank you for sharing about making Impossible Quiche for potlucks. It's always a winner!
I have been looking for this receipe for a very long time Thanks for sharing great winter lunch !!!
Oh, winter lunch! You are so right, Carole.
Your recipe seems great. I would like to try this sometime.
Please do, how-to-make, it's so easy and such a wonderful comfort food. It will quickly become a family favorite. :)
I hope to find it easy while cooking. Yes, I think that my family would love it too. I would let you know about its taste after having it for the first time.
Happy Sunday Sherri! I love quiche so much. I love bacon and salt, but have to cut way down because I am hypertensive so will have to reduce the bacon. Cheese has a lot of sodium too so that should be enough salt.
Cardisa, there's also salt in the Bisquick mix. This is definitely not a recipe for someone who needs to monitor their sodium intake. Take a look at the Bisquick label and see how you can adjust this recipe for you.
I had forgotten about this recipe and it is wonderful. Thank you so much for posting it. Rated up.
Thanks Sally's Trove. I had a breakfast casserole that was made with Bisquick and was about to look for the recipe. I'm glad now I don't have to.
I've heard of this for years, but never had the recipe! Can't wait to try it for my next potluck or bigger dinner at home (otherwise, I'll eat all of it by myself!). It's good to know we can substitute ingredients, since I don't eat real bacon! Thanks for sharing this!
TY for your comments, Pamela99, Millionaire Tips, and Marcy.
@Marcy, I've done exactly that in the past...eaten the whole thing myself. Don't do it! Trust me, it's a bad idea. LOL! Meanwhile, substitutions of almost any kind work well. The universal ingredient is the Bisquick mix. All things can follow from that.
Quiche is one of my favorite all time food and to make it with Bisquick and no crust is even better. Thanks for finding your wonderful recipe box and sharing this delightful retro recipe with us here! Amazing. I can't wait to try it.
PegCole17, I'm so glad to hear your thoughts. This is a retro recipe that went underground, in its original form, for many years. Enjoy!
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I just had to tell you that I've made this recipe several times since I first read it here not long ago. I love it; it's lighter than regular quiche because there's no heavy crust, and there are fewer eggs. I don't eat meat (beef or pork), so I've made it with spinach, mushrooms and other veggie choices. I have one in the oven now with asparagus, mushrooms, onion and a bit of kale.
Thanks for sharing this - I'd heard of it for years but never found the recipe. I think if you keep the basic ingredients (1 cup Bisquick, 2 cups milk and four egss), you can vary it any way you want.
Marcy, thanks so much for sharing your "field" report here. You are so right, no meat need be involved. The basic ingredients and their proportions are all that are needed, just as you say.
I'm so glad to hear back from you about your experimentation and also that you'd been looking for this recipe for a long time. It's an old-time winner!
Thanks for posting. I just found my recipe since I wanted to make it tomorrow. Mine is similar--3/4 c bisquick and we mix it in a blender! Our says to bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
Barbara, thanks for sharing your variation. This is such a versatile recipe!
Fay Paxton 13 months ago
I remember this recipe. I used to make it all the time with all kinds of variations and then, I don't know what happened, but I just forgot all about it. Oh happy day! I am so glad you shared this. I've got a box of Bisquick!
up and very useful