A traditional Greek spinach pie, this Spanakopita Recipe is easy to make and can be served as an appetizer or a main dish.
Have you ever had spanakopita? It’s a Greek dish made of spinach and feta cheese, wrapped in phyllo dough. It’s delicious, and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Here I’ll show you how to make a simple spanakopita recipe. So if you’re looking for a new and tasty dish to add to your repertoire, be sure to check out this recipe!
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When planning my menu for the holidays, I usually start testing recipes in the late summer to early fall. Most of the time I have a list of things that I want to either try for the first time, an old recipe from grandma’s book that needs a bit of work, or something that we have been making for forever that just needs to be photographed.
This spinach pie was a recipe that I found in grandma’s book that I remembered from childhood. So I had some friends over to help me whip it up and then enjoy it later that day.
I’m so glad I did – this recipe is such a classic that should be at every holiday table. I know you’ll love it as much as we do.
Here are some commonly asked questions
What is Spanakopita?
Traditionally, spanakopita is a Greek dish made with phyllo dough, spinach, and feta cheese. The dough is layered with the spinach and cheese filling, then baked until golden brown. While there are many variations of this dish, the classic version is still one of the most popular.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional spanakopita recipe or something with a modern twist, this recipe is sure to please. From easy spanakopita pies to bite-sized phyllo cups, there’s something for everyone. Give it a try and see for yourself!
What recipes are similar to Spanakopita?
There are many similar recipes to spanakopita, such as tiropita (a cheese pie), bougatsa (a custard-filled pastry), and various other pies and pastries made with phyllo dough. If you’re looking for something similar to spanakopita but with a different flavor profile, these recipes are worth trying.
Bougatsa: This custard-filled pastry is popular in Greece and Cyprus. It is made with phyllo dough that is filled with a semolina custard and baked until golden brown.
Tiropita: Tiropita is a cheese pie that is popular in Greece and other parts of the Balkans. It is made with phyllo dough that is filled with a variety of cheeses, such as feta, kasseri, and kefalotyri.
Pites: Pites are pies that are popular in Greece and the Balkans. They can be made with a variety of fillings, including meats, vegetables, and cheeses.
Pastries: There are many types of pastries that are popular in Greece, such as baklava, kataifi, and galaktoboureko. These desserts are made with phyllo dough and typically have a sweet filling, such as honey or syrup.
Spinach Pie
Ingredients for Spanakopita Recipe
- olive oil
- onion – chopped
- green onions – sliced
- garlic – minced
- fresh spinach
- eggs
- ricotta cheese
- crumbled feta cheese
- salt
- black pepper
- dill weed
- puff pastry
Difference between phyllo dough and puff pastry
Phyllo dough and puff pastry dough are both types of dough that are used in a variety of recipes, such as pies, pastries, and tarts. They are similar in that they are both light and flaky, but there are some key differences between them.
Phyllo dough is made with flour, water, and fat, but no yeast. This dough is rolled out very thin and is used in many Greek and Middle Eastern dishes.
Puff pastry dough is made with flour, water, fat, and yeast. This dough is also rolled out very thin, but it has a higher fat content than phyllo dough. This makes puff pastry dough more puff and flaky than phyllo dough.
Both types of dough can be used in a variety of recipes, but they will produce different results. If you’re looking for a light and flaky dough, phyllo dough is the way to go. If you’re looking for a dough that is more puffy and flaky, puff pastry dough is the way to go.
How to Make Spanakopita Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Line a 9 x 9 baking dish with parchment paper. Spritz with cooking oil.
- In an extra-large skillet over medium heat, pour 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and heat. Add the onion, green onions, and garlic, cooking until the onions are soft.
- Add the spinach in batches, cooking until it wilts. Remove from the heat.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta cheese, feta cheese, salt, black pepper, and dill weed.
- Stir the cheese mixture into the spinach mixture until well blended.
- Place one sheet of the puff pastry in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add the spinach mixture and then top with the remaining sheet of puff pastry.
- Brush the top with the remaining olive oil.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
Can this be made with Phyllo Dough instead?
Yes – traditionally this recipe would be made with phyllo dough. So you can definitely swap it out if you can find it in the store. We made it here with puff pastry because it is so much easier to find when shopping these days.
What are some tips for making Spanakopita?
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect spanakopita:
- Use fresh spinach: This will ensure that your spanakopita is packed with flavor. If you can’t find fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw it first and squeeze out any excess water.
- Use good quality feta cheese: This is a dish where you really want to use good quality feta cheese. The better the feta, the better your spanakopita will taste.
- Don’t overdo it on the filling: You want to use just enough filling so that your spanakopita is hearty and satisfying, but not so much that it’s overly stuffed.
- Use good quality phyllo dough or puff pastry: This will make a big difference in the overall quality of your spanakopita. If you can’t find good quality phyllo dough, you can make your own or use a store-bought puff pastry dough.
- Don’t over-bake your spanakopita: You want the phyllo dough to be golden brown and crispy, but if you over-bake it, the dough will become dry and tough.
With these tips in mind, you’re sure to make the perfect spanakopita. Give it a try and see for yourself!
What to serve with Spanakopita?
Spanakopita is typically served as a main dish, but it can also be served as an appetizer or side dish. If you’re serving spanakopita as a main dish, it goes well with a salad and some crusty bread. See the below list for our favorites.
If you’re serving it as an appetizer or side dish, it goes well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tzatziki or hummus.
No matter how you serve it, spanakopita is sure to be a hit! Give it a try and see for yourself.
Bread
- Crusty Artisan Bread
- 20-Minute Cheddar Biscuits
- One Hour Dinner Rolls
- Homemade French Bread
- Irish Soda Bread
- Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
- Heavenly One Hour Dinner Rolls
Salads
DON’T MISS THESE HOLIDAY E-BOOKS!
Products I love when making spinach pie…
This Spanakopita recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made homemade spinach pie filling before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this tasty recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)
If you love this easy spinach pie recipe, you’re going to love these other great recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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Spanakopita Recipe (Spinach Pie)
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 onion chopped
- 6 green onions sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 pounds fresh spinach
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 5 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dill weed
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Line a 9 x 9 baking dish with parchment paper. Spritz with cooking oil.
- In an extra-large skillet over medium heat, pour 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and heat. Add the onion, green onions, and garlic, cooking until the onions are soft.
- Add the spinach in batches, cooking until it wilts. Remove from the heat.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta cheese, feta cheese, salt, black pepper, and dill weed.
- Stir the cheese mixture into the spinach mixture until well blended.
- Place one sheet of the puff pastry in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add the spinach mixture and then top with the remaining sheet of puff pastry.
- Brush the top with the remaining olive oil.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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