Vegan and Vegetarian
Easy Spanakopita – Greek Spinach Pie
Easy Spanakopita – this Greek Spinach Pie with phyllo pastry, spinach, feta cheese and herbs is delicious and popular with vegetarians
- Serves 20 slices
- Prep 15 minutes
- Cook 45 minutes
- Total 1 hour
Check out my Spanakopita Triangles (Spanakopitakia) and Spiral Spanakopita recipes!
Get to Know Spanakopita
Spanakopita (which translates as “spinach pie”) is, arguably, THE most popular and beloved Greek recipe. This vegetarian pie made with phyllo pastry, spinach, herbs and feta cheese is delicious served warm or cold. Spanakopita is a staple of my Greek childhood and absolutely fantastic as a snack or main meal.
Although my mum’s spanakopita with homemade pastry is superior, it involves a huge amount of work and so only gets made on special occasions. This easy spanakopita recipe is so much quicker!
Spinach Pie Ingredients
You can make spanakopita using fresh or frozen spinach. Using frozen spinach is easier and slightly cheaper but fresh spinach tastes better. I will leave it up to you!
If you use fresh spinach you will have to wilt it first – and don’t be surprised at the HUGE amount needed! Strain the cooked spinach to remove most of the juices before mixing with the other filling ingredients.
Authentic Greek spanakopita also packs LOTS of fresh herbs into the filling, plus spring onions and leeks. Crumbled feta cheese and eggs are mixed in and the filling is encased is several layers of pastry.
The phyllo needs to be brushed with oil and melted butter so that it crisps up in the oven. Assembling your spinach pie is a bit messy but the results are so worth it!!
How to Make Spanakopita
- Brush your pie dish with the melted butter then start layering the phyllo pastry, brushing each leaf with butter, in the dish letting the ends hang over the edge.
- Layer 5-6 phyllo sheets over the bottom of the dish then add the filling in an even layer. Fold the edges over the top and brush with butter/oil.
- Add some additional phyllo leaves over the top if needed. You shouldn’t be able to see the filling through the phyllo!
- Score the pastry before baking to make it easier to slice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake for 45 minutes, covering with foil after 15-20 minutes to avoid the pie colouring too quickly.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to keep phylo pastry covered while you work as it dries out quickly and becomes brittle.
- I recommend using an enamel roasting tin as the phyllo will crisp up so much better.
- Make sure you squeeze the moisture out of the spinach to avoid a soggy spinach pie!
- Greek barrel aged feta tastes miles better than feta-style cheese. Check it is suitable for vegetarians.
- Add chopped mint, toasted pine nuts or different types of cheese (such as ricotta, cream cheese or Gorgonzola) to add variety.
- Do not cover the pie while it is hot out of the oven – the moisture will soften the phyllo.
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Recipe
Easy Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)
Easy Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) with phyllo pastry and a delicious spinach and feta cheese filling. This hearty vegetarian pie can be eaten hot or cold
- Serves 20 slices
- Prep 15 minutes
- Cook 45 minutes
- Total 1 hour
Ingredients
- 28 oz (800g) frozen spinach ((or fresh, chopped))
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 spring onions (scallions) (finely chopped)
- 2 large leeks (white part only, finely chopped)
- 1 tsp salt (or more, as needed)
- 2 cups (100g) fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 cups (100g) fresh dill (chopped)
- 2 large eggs
- 14 oz (400g / two blocks) feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 lemon (zest only)
- 1 pack frozen phyllo pastry (thawed if frozen)
- ½ cup (113g) butter (melted)
- ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
Method
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and place a tray on the middle shelf.
- 2
Thaw the spinach and squeeze most of the moisture out. If using fresh spinach you will need to wilt it in a pan before using and then strain to remove the juices.
- 3
Sauté the green onions and leeks in a pan with a splash of olive oil. Add the salt and cook until softened.
- 4
Add the herbs and cook for a couple more minutes. Stir in the spinach and leave to cool before adding the feta and eggs.
- 5
Mix in the crumbled feta and have a taste, adding more salt if needed. Add the eggs and lemon zest, mix well to combine and set aside.
- 6
Combine the oil and melted butter. Brush your pie dish with the butter / oil then start layering the phyllo pastry, brushing each leaf, letting the ends hang over the edge.
- 7
Layer 5-6 phyllo squares over the bottom of the dish then add the filling in an even layer, packing it down. Fold the edges over the top and brush with butter/ oil. You might want to add some additional phyllo sheets in the middle, if needed.
- 8
Use a knife to score the pie so that it will be easier to slice once baked. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
- 9
Bake for 45 minutes, covering with foil after 15-20 minutes to avoid the pie coloring too quickly. Cool before slicing (otherwise you won’t be able to slice neatly).
Notes
The pie is best eaten on the day it is baked but will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.
Equipment
- Pastry brush
- Paring Knife
Nutrition
- Calories209 kcal
- Carbohydrates13 g
- Protein7 g
- Fat15 g
- Saturated Fat7 g
- Trans Fat1 g
- Cholesterol46 mg
- Sodium494 mg
- Potassium274 mg
- Fiber2 g
- Sugar2 g
- Vitamin A5944 IU
- Vitamin C18 mg
- Calcium191 mg
- Iron2 mg
