The Zesty Greek Spanakopita Greens Pie Recipe You’ll Adore

Crispy, golden layers of phyllo embrace vibrant spanakopita greens pie with Mediterranean charm.

Verdant spinach and herbs burst through delicate pastry shells, creating a symphony of flavors.

Crumbled feta cheese adds tangy richness to each delectable bite.

Mediterranean kitchens have perfected this rustic delicacy for generations.

Wholesome ingredients dance together, promising a memorable culinary adventure.

Savory and light, this pie captures the essence of Greek home cooking.

You’ll want to slice into this irresistible creation and savor every moment.

Spanakopita Pie Full of Greens and Greek Taste

• Quickly Assemble: Minimal prep time makes this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with nutritious greens and cheese, this pie offers a kid-friendly way to sneak vegetables into everyone's diet while providing tasty, crowd-pleasing flavors.
• Mediterranean Magic: Captures the authentic taste of Greek cuisine with traditional ingredients like filo pastry, dill, and feta, bringing a slice of Mediterranean comfort directly to your dining table.
• Versatile Dish: Serves perfectly as a light lunch, impressive appetizer, or weekend brunch option that can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, making it ideal for various occasions.

Greek Pie (Spanakopita) Must-Have Items

Main Ingredients:

• Spinach: Provides the primary green base and fresh flavor for the pie.
• Spring Onions: Adds a mild, oniony crunch and sharp green notes.
• Dill, Mint: Fresh herbs that bring brightness and aromatic complexity to the filling.

• Ricotta, Feta: Creamy cheeses that add richness, tang, and protein to the pie.

• Filo Pastry: Delicate, thin layers that create a crispy, flaky golden exterior.

• Eggs: Helps bind the filling together and provides structure.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Olive Oil Spray: Helps create golden, crispy pastry layers.
• Black Sesame Seeds: Provides a nutty crunch and visual appeal to the top of the pie.

Greens Pie Spanakopita Baking Method

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to 180C (350F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Filling

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Chopped spring onions
• Fragrant dill
• Refreshing mint
• Eggs
• Creamy ricotta cheese
• Tangy feta cheese
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed and create a vibrant green mixture.

Step 3: Layer the Delicate Pastry

Carefully arrange the thin filo pastry sheets, lightly spraying each layer with olive oil to create a crispy, golden base.

The key is to build a delicate, flaky foundation for your pie.

Step 4: Spread the Green Goodness

Evenly distribute the spinach mixture across the layered pastry, making sure to spread it to the edges for a consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Fold and Finish

Gently fold the pastry edges over the filling, creating a rustic, free-form pie.

Spray the top with olive oil and sprinkle black sesame seeds for an extra crunch and nutty flavor.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Look for a golden-brown, crispy exterior that promises a delightful crunch with every slice.

Pie Baking Tips for Spanakopita Greens

• Remove excess moisture from spinach by pressing it with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to prevent a soggy pie crust.
• Brush each filo sheet with olive oil gently to ensure a crispy, flaky texture that doesn't tear easily during preparation.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley or add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the traditional Greek flavor profile of the spanakopita.
• Swap ricotta with cottage cheese or use a blend of cheeses like goat cheese for a unique tangy twist on the classic recipe.
• Prepare the pie in advance and refrigerate unbaked, then bake just before serving to save time and maintain maximum freshness.

Spanakopita Pie Leftover Help

• Store leftover spanakopita in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Warm slices at 180C (350F) for 10-15 minutes to restore crispy pastry texture.
• Quickly heat individual pieces for 30-45 seconds, but expect slightly softer pastry.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Great Pairings for Spanakopita Pie

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled glass of Assyrtiko from Greece, its citrusy and mineral notes perfectly complement the herb-rich spanakopita, cutting through the creamy cheese and enhancing the fresh spinach flavors.
• Match with Bright Greek Salad: Create a light, tangy side dish with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and kalamata olives dressed in olive oil and oregano to balance the richness of the pie and add a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Tzatziki Dip: Prepare a cool, creamy yogurt-based sauce with cucumber, garlic, and dill that provides a smooth, cooling element to the warm, crispy pastry and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Complement with Lemony Roasted Potatoes: Add a zesty, herb-infused potato side that echoes the Mediterranean flavors of the spanakopita and provides a satisfying starchy component to the meal.

Spanakopita Greens Pie Savory Twists

• Gluten-Free Greek Pie: Replace filo pastry with gluten-free phyllo or use almond flour-based pastry sheets for celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Spinach Bake: Swap eggs and cheeses with tofu scramble, nutritional yeast, and cashew ricotta to create a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Greens Casserole: Substitute filo with thinly sliced zucchini layers or use cauliflower as a base for keto-friendly adaptation.
• Protein-Packed Green Pie: Add cooked quinoa or chopped chicken to the spinach mixture for extra protein and more substantial meal option.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Spanakopita?

The key ingredients are spinach, filo pastry, spring onions, dill, mint, eggs, ricotta, and feta cheese. These create a classic Greek-style savory pie with rich, herbal flavors.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, this Spanakopita is vegetarian. It uses eggs and cheese for protein but contains no meat, making it perfect for vegetarian diets.

• Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Absolutely! If using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out all excess moisture before mixing with other ingredients. This prevents the pie from becoming soggy.

• What does filo pastry contribute to the dish?

Filo pastry creates a light, crispy, and flaky texture that’s essential to traditional Spanakopita. Each layer, when sprayed with olive oil, becomes golden and crunchy when baked.

Spanakopita Greens Pie Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Greek spinach pastry spanakopita weaves Mediterranean magic with crisp phyllo layers and rich herbed filling. Flaky, savory comfort arrives straight from traditional Greek kitchens, promising delicious exploration of classic culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients (Greens and Dairy):

• 750 grams (1 lb 11 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
• 300 grams (10 1/2 oz) fresh ricotta
• 200 grams (7 oz) feta, crumbled
• 4 eggs

Herbs and Aromatics:

• 6 spring onions (scallions), finely sliced
• 1/2 bunch dill, fronds picked and finely chopped (or chopped parsley)
• 1/4 bunch mint, leaves picked and finely chopped

Pastry and Seasoning:

• 8–10 sheets filo pastry
• 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• Olive oil spray
• Black sesame seeds, to sprinkle

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 180C (350F) and protecting the baking surface with parchment paper.
2. Create a vibrant green filling by thoroughly combining chopped spinach, finely sliced spring onions, fragrant dill, fresh mint leaves, whisked eggs, creamy ricotta, crumbled feta, and seasoning until ingredients are uniformly distributed.
3. Construct the pie’s foundation by meticulously layering delicate filo pastry sheets, lightly misting each sheet with olive oil to ensure optimal crispness and golden texture.
4. Distribute the verdant spinach mixture evenly across the prepared pastry base, ensuring consistent coverage and balanced flavor distribution.
5. Carefully fold the pastry edges inward, encasing the lush green filling and creating a rustic, artisanal appearance.
6. Enhance the pie’s visual appeal and texture by generously spraying the surface with olive oil and sprinkling black sesame seeds for a nutty, decorative finish.
7. Transfer the prepared pie to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the pastry transforms into a rich, golden-brown crisp that signals perfect doneness.

Notes

• Ensure spinach is thoroughly drained to prevent soggy pastry, patting leaves dry with paper towels after chopping or thawing.
• Create extra crispy layers by brushing melted butter between filo sheets instead of using olive oil spray for a richer texture.
• Experiment with additional greens like Swiss chard or kale to boost nutritional value and create interesting flavor variations.
• Make this dish gluten-free by substituting filo pastry with gluten-free alternatives or using phyllo made from alternative grains.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg