Savory Greek Spinach Pie (Spanakopita)
Delight in the flavors of the Mediterranean with this Savory Greek Spinach Pie, or Spanakopita. Inspired by cherished family recipes, this dish combines fresh, vibrant ingredients like tender spinach, aromatic herbs, and rich cheeses, all wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo dough. Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or party snack, it embodies the spirit of Greek cuisine with each flaky bite. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a delicious journey through my family's culinary legacy that I am excited to share with you!
6
Servings
367
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
Garlic
4 cloves (minced)
Onion
1 (chopped)
Green Onion
1 bunch (chopped)
Spinach
2 lbs (rinsed and chopped)
Fresh Parsley
1/3 cup (chopped)
Ricotta Cheese
3/4 cup
Feta Cheese
1 cup (crumbled)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Phyllo Dough
(as needed)
Salt
(to taste)
Black Pepper
(to taste)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green onions, and minced garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onions are soft and translucent.
3
Add the chopped spinach and parsley to the skillet, stirring until the spinach is wilted and cooked down. Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool slightly.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the beaten eggs, ricotta cheese, and crumbled feta cheese. Mix well until smooth.
5
Once the spinach mixture has cooled, stir it into the cheese mixture until fully combined.
6
Prepare your phyllo dough by laying one sheet into a 9x9 inch baking dish, brushing it lightly with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering a total of 6 sheets.
7
Spread the spinach and cheese filling evenly over the layered phyllo.
8
Continue layering with phyllo, adding another 6 sheets in the same manner, brushing each with butter before adding the next.
9
Once the final layer is complete, place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
10
Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
24g
Fat
20g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Greek Spinach Pie (Spanakopita)?
Spanakopita is a traditional Greek dish featuring layers of crispy phyllo dough filled with a savory mixture of spinach, herbs, and cheeses like feta and ricotta.
Is this Spanakopita recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as a vegetable dish and contains no meat, making it suitable for vegetarians.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long should I bake the spinach pie?
Bake the dish for 30-40 minutes or until the top layer is golden brown and crispy.
What types of cheese are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese and 3/4 cup of ricotta cheese.
How much spinach is needed?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of spinach, which should be rinsed and chopped.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 367 calories.
How do I prepare the phyllo dough layers?
Lay one sheet into a 9x9 inch dish, brush it with melted butter, and repeat until you have 6 layers for both the bottom and the top.
What size baking dish is required?
A 9x9 inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
What aromatics are used in the filling?
The filling includes chopped onion, one bunch of green onions, 4 cloves of minced garlic, and 1/3 cup of fresh chopped parsley.
Do I need to cook the spinach before adding it to the pie?
Yes, you should stir the spinach into the skillet with the onions and garlic until it is wilted and cooked down.
What is the fat content per serving?
One serving contains 24g of fat.
How much protein is in this dish?
There are 15g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 20g of carbohydrates per serving.
Should the spinach mixture be hot when mixed with the cheese?
The instructions recommend letting the spinach mixture cool slightly before stirring it into the cheese and egg mixture.
How many eggs are used?
Two beaten eggs are used to help bind the cheese and spinach filling.
Can Spanakopita be served cold?
While the recipe suggests serving it hot, Spanakopita can be enjoyed hot, warm, or at room temperature.
How many total layers of phyllo are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 12 sheets in total: 6 for the base and 6 for the top.
What kind of fat is used for sautéing and brushing the dough?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of melted butter.
Is fresh parsley necessary?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of fresh chopped parsley to provide the best aromatic flavor.
What is the primary flavor profile?
The profile is savory and Mediterranean, characterized by tangy feta, earthy spinach, and buttery, crispy dough.
How should I prepare the garlic?
The 4 cloves of garlic should be finely minced before being added to the skillet.
Does the recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and black pepper are added to taste during the sautéing of the onions.
How do you achieve the crispy top layer?
By brushing each of the top 6 sheets of phyllo dough with melted butter and baking until golden brown.
Is this a family recipe?
Yes, the description notes it is inspired by cherished family culinary legacies.
Can this be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it is perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or party snack.
What is the ingredient count?
This recipe utilizes a total of 12 ingredients.
How should the onions be cooked?
Sauté the chopped onions and green onions in butter for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
How should I handle the pie after taking it out of the oven?
Remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing into portions.