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Sharing my favorite take on Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita).

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

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?

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

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.

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

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.

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

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!

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita)

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories Per Serving: 418 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, eggs, olive oil, feta, parmesan, basil, dill, oregano, lemon zest, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. 
    3. Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on the prepared baking sheet and brush the phyllo with melted butter. Repeat, layering 2 more times, placing the sheets of dough over top each other. Now brush another sheet of dough with butter and place perpendicular to the bottom layer, creating an X. Repeat this layer 2 more times. Brush another sheet of dough with butter and place slightly off center of the x. Repeat this layer 2 more times. Simplistically, you are using 9 sheets of phyllo dough, 3 layers, in 3 different directions, kind of like a star.
    4. Take the spinach filling and spoon it onto the center of your phyllo dough star, leaving about 2 inches of edge space. Bring the edges of the dough up and over the spinach.
    5. Brush the remaining 3 sheet of phyllo dough with butter and layer over top of the spinach, crinkling them slightly to fit. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the dough. 
    6. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, until phyllo is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. 
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Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita) | halfbakedharvest.com #greek #easter #spring #spinach

For real though, that crust and that spinach feta filling? The BEST.

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Comments

    1. HI! Yes, you can do it in a pie pan. That will be great. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! x Tieghan

      Reply

  2. 5 stars
    Made this paired with the recent NYT recipe for Greek baked shrimp. A restaurant-quality meal. Perfect addition to the Meatless Monday menu.

    Reply

  3. I’m 3/4 Greek, so I grew up on Greek food. I have to say that your take on this recipe I’m used to seeing it baked in a 13X9, but your method makes the presentation awesome! I love spanakopita!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    The recipe looks damm tasty. will definitely try. The way you described each and everything with pictures is just awesome. Thanks for this recipe.

    Reply

  5. Thoughts on how well would this reheat? There are only two of us eating at my house, so it would need to survive a meal or two as leftovers. I’ve got all my fingers crossed, because I LOOOOOVE spanikopita. Thanks!

    Reply

    1. HI! Leftovers are DELICIOUS! 🙂 Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂

      Reply

  7. 5 stars
    Made this for brunch and WOW what a bright and balanced dish. The fresh herbs and lemon worked beautifully together. I did not buy enough feta so I had to add a few ounces of shredded mozzarella. Loved this!!! Thank you!!

    Reply

  8. 5 stars
    I made this tonight and it was delicious! The trio of herbs, lemon, and red pepper flakes put a nice spin on the traditional recipe. This one’s a keeper!

    Reply

  9. 4 stars
    My daughters favourite dish in our local Greek restaurant was Spanakopita, which came in three small triangular parcels, but unfortunately for her they took it off the menu and I’ve been on the lookout for a good recipe since. I did make some spinach bourekas before but using puff pastry not phyllo (or filo as it’s known here in Ireland) pastry. Anyway, I made this for dinner on Monday night and really enjoyed it. Might cut back just a touch on the lemon the next time for the kids but overall the filling was very tasty, I loved the mix of herbs, and the pastry was lovely and crisp and it looked so gorgeous with the sesame seeds on top. I’ve printed off the recipe and it’s now in my food file so I’ll definitely cook this again. Thanks for another great recipe Tieghan.

    Reply

  10. 5 stars
    Hi there! So you baked this right on a baking sheet, not in a pie dish? It holds shape okay? Thanks! Making for Easter Sunday 🙂

    Reply

    1. HI! Yes, I just baked it right on the baking sheet, no pie plate. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂

      Reply

  11. At the local farmer’s market in NE Ohio, one of the vendors sells exactly this, and I buy them in bulk and freeze them. I love, love, love them!!! I can’t wait to try your recipe! (P.S. – While in CLE, you should check out the downtown location of Heinen’s grocery store. You will think you are in the Sistene Chapel, it is amazing! It is within walking distance of the Q and Progressive field. Have fun in the foodie city of CLE!)

    Reply

  12. Going to make this for Easter! Sounds delicious. I LOVE your recipes, Tieghan… your scrumptious photos and authentic writing style are the best! QUESTION…. what suggestions do you have to add a simple meat dish to our Easter spread, along with the Spanakopita? (and I’m making your blueberry cheesecake bars for dessert)! Thanks so much…

    Reply

    1. It depends what kind of meat you are looking for, but here are a few options. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂

      https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-beef-tenderloin-with-mushrooms-and-white-wine-cream-sauce/?highlight=beef+tenderloin

      https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-rack-lamb-basil-goat-cheese-sauce/?highlight=lamb

      https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/greek-lamb-souvlaki-plates-with-avocado-tzatziki/?highlight=lamb

      https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/lemon-and-oregano-grilled-chicken/?highlight=roasted+chicken

      https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/skillet-roasted-moroccan-chicken-and-olive-tagine/?highlight=roasted+chicken

      Reply

  13. 5 stars
    I also think simply changing some of the artwork around in your house can make a huge difference! This is assuming you are still buying prints because you clearly aren’t swanky enough to afford, you know, actual paintings yet *waves* Switching your art around can bring new colours into new spaces and really make them pop. Also, new cushion covers! H&M cushion covers are a budget-gal’s home decorating BFF <3

    Reply

  14. 5 stars
    Another winner!! Made this today because I HAD to – LOL. I only had a large container of baby spinach from Costco, so my prep was a little longer and I was able to add some diced onions in the saute. But I did make a trip to the local Mediterranean market for fresh herbs – love fresh dill – and their feta; they also had pine nuts which I toasted and added to the top with the sesame seeds. Really liked the free-form shape and the ending look and presentation. IT WAS DELICIOUS – I don’t want to share. Took me back to my travels in Greece. Thank you for posting a recipe with so much flavor and eye appeal!

    Reply