An omelet is the easiest dish you can make and it is great to eat for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. The dictionary defines an omelet as beaten eggs cooked on a frying pan, usually with some fillings, until the eggs are set.
Here are 8 easy and delicious ways to make an omelet with fillings and there is also a recipe included for vegetarians and vegans.
1. Easy basic omelet with vegetables and meat
Ingredients
- Eggs – 3
- Oil and butter – ½ tbsp each
- Water – 2 tbsp
- Cream of tartar – a pinch
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped vegetables, minced meat, cheese (grated) or cubed
Method
- On a standard cooking pan, heat the oil and butter on medium heat, until warm and not smoking.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and add water, salt, and pepper.
- Once the butter and oil are hot, add the beaten eggs and tilt the pan until the egg mixture coats it evenly.
- While the eggs are setting, prepare the filling. Add the tartar sauce.
- Once the sides of the eggs start becoming crispy and start to lift add the fillings in one half of the omelet. Fold the empty half over the filled half.
- Cook until the egg is set and the filling is cooked.
- Gently remove the omelet on a plate.
2. Omelet with cheese and ham
This sizzling classic will melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large potato, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 eggs – beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated manchego cheese
- ¼ cup chopped ham
Method
- In a pan, fry shredded/chopped potatoes until crispy.
- Next, add in the onions and cook until crispy and brown.
- Add one-half of the beaten eggs and make sure they run under the cooked vegetables. Sprinkle salt over the eggs.
- To the remaining eggs in the bowl, add ham and cheese and whisk gently.
- Add the mixture to the pan.
- Let the omelet turn golden brown before flipping with a spatula. You can also flip the omelet by placing a plate over the pan and turning the pan over and returning the omelet to the pan. Cook the other side until brown.
3. Easy Spanish omelet recipe
The Spanish omelet is also called tortilla de Patata. It is a commonly served dish in Spain where cafes and bars even serve it as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- 6-7 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced into pieces approximately 1/8th inches thick
- 5-6 large eggs
- 1 whole yellow onion, chopped into ¼ inch pieces
- Salt to taste
- 2-3 cups of olive oil for frying
Method
- Place the onions and potatoes in a bowl and salt them.
- Heat oil in a pan, and once hot, place the onion and potato slices in it. The oil should cover the potatoes. Turn down the heat and fry the potatoes. You can check with a spatula to ensure the potatoes are done. If the spatula can easily cut the potato, then the potatoes are done.
- Remove the onion-potatoes from the pan using a slotted spoon so that the oil can drain. You can place the mixture in a colander so more oil can drain out. You can reuse this oil for cooking.
- In a bowl, crack the eggs, add salt, and whisk gently. Add the onion-potato mixture and whisk.
- In another pan, heat some olive oil.
- Add the potato mixture and spread the omelet evenly.
- Allow the egg to cook evenly along the edges.
- Carefully lift the egg to see if the omelet is done. The inside of the omelet will still be runny.
- Once the mixture is browned on the bottom, it is ready to be cooked on the other side.
- Place a plate over the pan and turn the plate over. Now again heat some oil in the pan and slide the omelet on its uncooked side back into the heated pan, after approximately 30 seconds.
- Let the omelet cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Serve on a plate. When eating for breakfast, serve with toasted French bread. If serving as an appetizer, cut the omelet into pieces and serve over toasted baguette with tomato sauce.
Here is a great Spanish omelet recipe on YouTube.
4. Easy French omelet recipe
Ingredients
- All ingredients of the basic omelet above
- Vegetables – minced leek, shredded onions, diced mushrooms.
Method
Follow the recipe in No. 1 above.
5. Easy Italian omelet recipe
Ingredients
- All ingredients of the basic omelet above
- For the filling, use onions, green peppers, pepperoni, sausage, ham, cheese, tomato, and pizza sauce.
Method
Follow the recipe No. 1 above.
6. Sweet omelet recipe
Ingredients
- All ingredients of the basic omelet above
- Chopped strawberries, cream cheese, and vanilla extract.
Method
Follow the recipe in point No. 1 above.
7. Easy low-fat omelet recipe
Ingredients
- Use only egg whites.
- You can add vegetables of your choice.
- Go for herbs, garlic, and seasoning.
- Meats – use lean meat like turkey and salmon.
- Use only olive oil instead of butter.
Method
Follow the recipe in point No. 1 above.
8. Vegetarian omelet recipe
Some vegetarians (and vegans) do not eat eggs. They can substitute eggs with chickpea flour which, when mixed with a liquid, gives a similar texture and taste similar to beaten eggs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
- Pinch of black salt (this is what gives the eggy flavor)
- ½ tsp each cumin and dried thyme
- ¼ tsp each garlic powder, paprika, and turmeric
- A pinch of black pepper
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp water, divided
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups each chopped/sliced mushrooms, kale or other greens
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes and onions
Method
- In a large bowl, mix together the chickpea flour, herbs, seasonings, and spices. Stir in little water and keep mixing until the batter is lump-free. You may add a bit of water if the mixture is still too dry. It should be of a pancake batter consistency. Add in the chopped tomatoes and onions.
- Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the mushrooms and kale and cook until the vegetables until they release water. Pour these cooked veggies into the chickpea batter.
- In the same pan, add a bit of oil and once hot, pour in a ladleful of chickpea batter. Spread the batter evenly around to desired thickness. Cover and cook the omelet for a few minutes.
- Once the sides lift up, check if the omelet is golden brown and flip to cook on the other side. Remove on a plate.
- Repeat with remaining batter adding a bit of oil or cooking spray between omelets.
You can make these vegetarian omelets ahead of time. They even stay in the refrigerator for a couple of days. To reheat, pop them in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. Serve them inside bread, wraps, or burger buns with lettuce, avocados, mustard, tomatoes, and your favorite dressing.
Check out this hilarious video from The Easy Vegan for a delicious vegetarian omelet recipe.