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Sharing my favorite take on Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita).
Also known as flakey, buttery, phyllo dough spinach pie with cheese. Also known as SO GOOD.
SIDE NOTE: I semi hate the abbreviation AKA and one hundred percent prefer to write it out. Who is with me?
I’m not sure if this dish is well known or not, but if you don’t know about Greek spinach and feta pie, I am so excited to be the one to tell you all about it. It’s actually a pretty simple thing, but the three main ingredients are what make it so good, phyllo dough, spinach, and feta cheese. It’s a combo that cannot be beat and it’s one that for some reason always reminds me of springtime.
Here’s the deal, I totally made this recipe with one person in mind, my mom. The main reason I love to cook is because I love being able to see the happiness on family and friends faces when I cook for them. Providing them with so much happiness, simply by making food that comforts them, fills me with happiness. It’s a win, win situation for all. Anytime I make a recipe specifically for someone, I have to be there when they try it. Their facial expressions say it all, you know? Whenever I cook for my mom, I get the bonus of a nice little therapy session out of it as well. I swear, I don’t even know I’m stressed when I start talking, but every time we get together over food I’ll talk mom’s ear off for an hour. And then I feel one hundred times more relaxed. Mom’s just have that way with people don’t they?
Anyway, moving along here…
My mom has been working so hard lately on the Studio and I really just wanted to surprise her with a recipe that I knew she would love and enjoy. Some of mom’s favorite things are buttery pastries, and spinach is probably one of her most liked vegetables. So I knew she would love a pastry dish stuffed with spinach and feta cheese.
And that’s where this Greek inspired spinach pie comes into play. It’s basically all of her favorites wrapped up in phyllo dough.
Traditionally, this dish is referred to as Spanakopita, but since I can’t even begin to pronounce that word (for real though…), I simplified things a bit and called the recipe exactly what it is, Greek spinach and feta pie.
This savory pie is really very simple flavor wise, but trust me, it’s so delicious. Basically it’s just a mix of a lot of spinach with some eggs, herbs, and a generous amount of feta cheese. The filling is very similar to that of a frittata, but it’s the phyllo dough crust that takes this pie to another (better) level.
The spinach and feta filling get wrapped into phyllo dough and baked to a golden perfection. Now, I know phyllo dough gets a bad wrap of being hard to work with, but here’s the key to success when working with phyllo…butter. Brushing the dough with melted butter keeps the dough from drying out and tearing, not to mention adds yet another layer of delicious flavor.
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While I made this recipe with mom in mind, it’s also perfect for the spring days ahead. Plus, you can serve it up in so many ways…brunch, light lunch, dinner, a fancy side dish, or even an appetizer. I suppose this can even be eaten warm or cold, but you guys know me, I definitely prefer it warm. Actually, right out of the oven best. The cheese is soft, the spinach is hot, and the dough is buttery, flakey, and all kinds of amazing.
When I finally got this recipe perfected (it took a few tries), I showed up at my parent’s house with a fresh out of the oven pie. Because like me, mom needs all her food to be steaming hot. The verdict?
She loved it. Not surprised since I knew it had all the flavors she loves most!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
For real though, that crust and that spinach feta filling? The BEST.
This looks AH MAZE ING!! I LOVE spinach pie…I pretty much love anything with phyllo dough! I’m happy to have found you!
Thank you Myriah! I am happy you found this recipe as well! I hope you love it!
This looks incredible, love the flaky phyllo layers!
Thank you!
Oh yes… definitely familiar with this dish. Your version looks so delicious… and those flaky layers photographed beautifully!
Thank you Natasha!
So excited to try this recipe out! Just wondering if the consistency would change if I used fresh Spinach instead?
Thanks!
HI! you’d just have to cook the spinach down before adding to the pie. I would cook down 8 cups fresh spinach, cool, and then use as directed. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! ?
Your photos are beautiful! I love this dish and I’m inspired to make it ASAP!
Thank you Jennifer!
so beautiful! I love phyllo dough!!
Thank you Alice!
You had me at flakey and buttery. So comforting, love this!
Thank you Matt!
That looks so perfectly crunchy and cheesy! It would make a great Easter appetizer.
Thank you Christina!
WOW! This looks incredible! LOVE the crust!!
Thank you Gina!
Greek food rules as does this gorgeous recipe. I love the flourish on top of your spanakopita pie. Got to travel to 3 Greek Islands back in the mid-90’s and it still remains close to my heart. Santorini was more old Greece and ate in the places the locals would go and got real home cooked fare. Some owners would ask what you wanted and they would round up the ingredients for you to come back next day that they made for you. Keep on exploring all these awesome World cuisines, they rock as do you!
Wow that sounds so amazing! Thank you so much Tammy. I hope you love this recipe!
I’m that way with ASAP! Seems too demanding. AKA however always seems sort of cool and James Bond to me! Funny how responses vary! I guess it just reminds us to be careful what we write, because what we type may sound one way in our head, but come across totally different.
I love your blog and your candor. I hope that comes across as a compliment, because that’s what I mean!
Thank you so much Joanne!
Hey Tieghan,
I love spanakopita (span-ah-ko-pita) and my mom makes it for her partner (he’s Greek). They love the pie and it brings back good memories for my step dad. This would be lovely for spring. That’s nice that you were able to talk with you mom over some hot pie. 🙂
Thank you for responding to my email the other day. I’ve been loving your posts lately and am excited to hear more about the studio.
I hope all is well.
That is so sweet of her! I hope you love this as well Kristin! Thanks!
This is SO gorgeous! It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser for Easter!
Thank you Lindsay!
i bet your mom totally loved this Tieghan! Who wouldn’t? It looks awesome.
Thank you Mary Ann!
I looooove spanakopita – this looks great! Gonna have to give it a whirl.
Serious Eats has a really fun variation that’s like a cross between traditional spanakopita and chicken pot pie, all done in a cast iron skillet to save time. Highly recommend – https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2015/11/one-pot-chicken-spanakopita-skillet-pie-recipe.html
Thank you Mandy! I hope you love this!