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Spanish Omelet

Spanish Omelet

Origin: SpanishPeriod: Traditional

Spanish Omelet, as presented in this recipe, is a baked or pan-cooked egg dish incorporating potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and onion, enriched with Parmesan and part-skim mozzarella cheeses. While sharing its name with the classic Spanish tortilla española, this variant reflects a lighter, vegetable-forward interpretation that diverges from the traditional preparation through its use of multiple vegetables and cheese. The dish is characterized by a firm, layered interior and a golden exterior, drawing on both Spanish culinary tradition and contemporary health-conscious adaptations.

Cultural Significance

The tortilla española, or Spanish omelet, is one of the most iconic dishes in Spanish gastronomy, with roots tracing to the early nineteenth century in the Iberian Peninsula, where it served as an economical and sustaining meal for rural and working-class populations. Its simplicity and versatility made it a staple across all social strata in Spain, and it remains a defining symbol of everyday Spanish cuisine today. This recipe represents an evolved, internationalized interpretation that incorporates additional vegetables and cheese, reflecting the dish's global adaptation beyond its traditional Castilian origins.

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Total45 min
Servings4
Difficultyintermediate

Ingredients

Method

1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium oven-safe skillet or baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
5 minutes
2
Dice the potatoes into small cubes and cook them in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil until golden and tender, stirring occasionally. Season with a pinch of salt and set aside.
10 minutes
3
In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion, sliced mushrooms, and chopped zucchini over medium heat until softened and any excess moisture has evaporated.
7 minutes
4
Return the cooked potatoes to the skillet and stir to combine all the vegetables evenly, spreading them out in a single layer.
2 minutes
5
In a bowl, whisk together the whole eggs and egg whites with a pinch of salt until well combined. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the vegetables in the skillet.
3 minutes
6
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded part-skim mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the egg and vegetable mixture.
1 minutes
7
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake until the eggs are fully set and the cheese on top is lightly golden and bubbly.
20 minutes
8
Remove from the oven and let the omelet rest for a few minutes before slicing into wedges and serving warm.
3 minutes

Other Variants (1)

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