Best Spanakopita Spinach Pie Recipes

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan. Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH TRIANGLES OR PIE)

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saute pan, add half of the spinach and saute until spinach wilts, tossing with tongs, about 2 minutes. Remove spinach and squeeze out excess liquid, then chop roughly. Repeat with remaining spinach, using 1 more tablespoon of olive oil. Pour off any liquid from the pan, and add remaining olive oil. Add scallions and saute until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the spinach to the scallions, along with the parsley, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat to cool. (This part can be done ahead and kept refrigerated).
• Stir the feta and as much beaten egg to moisten the cooled spinach mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with some of the melted butter.
• Unroll the filo dough on a flat surface and keep it covered with waxed paper and a damp towel so it doesn't dry out and become brittle. Using a sharp knife, cut the filo into 3 by 11 inch strips, and recover with the towel. Use a pastry brush to brush a strip of filo with melted butter. Place a small spoonful of spinach filling 1 inch from the end of the pastry. Fold the end over the filling to form a triangle, then continue to fold up the strip in triangles, like folding up a flag. Continue with remaining strips of dough, placing filled triangles on the baking sheet and keeping them covered with a towel until all are ready to bake.
• Brush the triangles lightly with butter, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Serve hot. (These may be frozen before baking, layering waxed paper between layers of triangles to keep them from sticking. Bake frozen triangles an extra 10 minutes.)

SPINACH PIE IN PUFF PASTRY (SPANAKOPITA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment (preferable) but you can use aluminum foil with a light spray of cooking oil.
• Melt butter and cook onions for a few minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
• Beat eggs in medium bowl. Add cooked onion, spinach, feta, parmesan, bread crumbs. Add salt, pepper, & nutmeg. Mix well with fork.
• Place one unfolded sheet of puff pastry on the parchment or sprayed aluminum foil. Spread the spinach mixture over the pastry, leaving a border of one inch all around the edges. Keep the spinach flat; do not pile high.
• Brush the edges with the egg wash made with the last egg. Cover with the second sheet of pastry that has been slightly flattened with a rolling pin to one inch bigger than the first sheet. (This ensures all the spinach will be covered). Press edges together with fingertips or fork, making sure mixture is sealed well. Brush just the top with egg wash, careful not to drip any down the sides. Cut a few slits in the top with a sharp knife to allow steam to escape.
• Bake 30-40 minutes, until golden brown. Can be served hot or at room temperature.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH PIE) BY INA GARTEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• In a medium saute pan on medium heat, saute the onions with the olive oil until translucent and slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the salt and pepper and allow to cool slightly.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach and stir to ensure that all of it is covered in the water. Boil until the spinach turns a bright green color, about 1 minute, then drain. Squeeze out and discard as much of the liquid from the spinach as possible.
• Pulse the pine nuts in a food processor if desired. Gently mix the spinach with the onions, eggs, nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, feta, and pine nuts.
• Butter a casserole pan and lay a sheet of phyllo dough sideways so it hangs over the sides. Place a damp cloth over the remaining sheets of phyllo dough so they don't dry out. Brush the part of the phyllo dough that's in the pan with butter, then press another sheet over the top of it in the same way. Continue alternating sheets of phyllo dough with butter until there are 6 sheets in the pan.
• Pour the spinach mixture into the middle of the phyllo dough in the pan. Fold up the hanging edges of the first sheet of phyllo dough so it covers the spinach mixture, then brush with butter. Continue this pattern with the remaining sheets flaps until the spinach filling is sealed. Pinch together any open spots. Brush the rest of the butter over the top of the pastry.
• Bake for 1 hour, until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt until combined. Add the shortening and pulse until the mixture resembles cornmeal mixed with pea-sized bits, about 10 times. While the motor is running, drizzle in the water until a dough forms.
• Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Divide the dough in half; press half the dough up and around the inside of the pan. Set the remaining dough aside covered with plastic wrap.
• Line the pan with foil and fill with dried beans. Bake the dough for 20 minutes and remove the beans and foil. Continue baking the crust until golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Let the pan cool on a rack.
• Meanwhile, make the spinach filling: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the spinach, little by little (adding more as the previous batch wilts), and cook, stirring, until completely wilted. Season with the salt and pepper and stir in the parsley, dill, and scallions.
• Drain the spinach mixture in a colander in the sink and let cool.
• Once the spinach is cool, stir in the feta and spread the mixture into the crust. Roll the remaining dough out on a well-floured surface, into a rectangle large enough to cover the baking pan. Top the spinach with the dough and pinch around the sides to seal. Score the top of the pie in the center, brush the surface of the dough with egg wash, and bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes.
• Remove the pie from the oven, let cool, cut into squares and serve.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH AND FETA PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375º F.
• (For fresh spinach) Working in batches, wash and drain the spinach. Discard any large stems and chop the leaves coarsely. Combine the spinach, parsley, dill, green onions and salt. Let stand in a colander for 15 minutes and then press out the liquid. (For frozen spinach) Thaw the spinach and squeeze out most of the water, leaving just a little to prevent it drying out in the oven. Combine with the parsley, dill, green onions and salt.
• Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the onions and saute until transparent.
• Adjust the heat to medium, add the spinach mixture in batches and saute until the spinach and herbs are wilted.
• Turn off the heat and stir the feta and black pepper into the mixture.
• Butter a 10"x17"x2" baking pan and lay 8 filo sheets in the bottom, brushing each layer with butter or spraying it with oil.
• Spread the spinach mixture into the baking pan.
• Cover with the remaining filo sheets, brushing each layer with butter or spraying it with oil.
• Bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium heated saute pan, add butter (all except 6 tablespoons), onion, and scallion. Cook until translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• In a sauce pot, boil spinach in water until tender. Strain and pat dry until all water is out. In a large mixing bowl, mix spinach, onion-scallion mixture, parsley and dill together. Add cheese, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add back into sauce pot and boil for five minutes. Place aside.
• Moisten filo dough one by one with the remaining butter (melted) with pastry brush. In a baking pan, add five layers of dough to bottom. Next, add spinach mixture. Spread evenly. Add another five layers of dough on top, tucking in corners. Place in oven and bake for approximately one hour.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)

Steps:

• Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan and sauté the onions and leek until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach and saute until the leaves have wilted and the liquid has cooked off, about 8-10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool somewhat. When cool enough to handle, finely chop the spinach and place in a large bowl.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Lightly oil (always use olive oil!) a 12 inch in diameter, metal baking pan (you can use a larger baking pan - you will just have a thinner pita, but don't use a smaller one), or a 10 x 15 inch rectangular baking pan.
• Add dill and feta cheese to the spinach. Add salt and pepper to taste (careful with the salt - the feta will add quite a bit of its own). Pour the eggs over and give a stir to combine well.
• Open up the phyllo pastry and place on a work surface. If using the country style pastry proceed, if using the thinner phyllo; cover with a damp cloth. (Continue to cover the pastry sheets with the damp cloth each time you remove one as you prepare the pie.).
• Layer the phyllo in the pan, allowing the edges to hang over the sides of the pan, brushing each phyllo layer generously with olive oil.
• Use up half the phyllo sheets to make the bottom pastry layer, allowing excess pastry to drape over edge of pan.
• Put the spinach mixture in and press the top down gently to smooth filling. Tuck in the pastry draping over the edges.
• Repeat layering with the remaining phyllo, oiling each sheet generously.
• Using a sharp knife, score the upper layers of pastry into the size pieces you will want to serve once the pie is baked- BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT THROUGH BOTTOM PASTRY.
• Bake the pie in the middle of the oven for approximately 40-45 minutes until it is golden brown. For the last 15-20 minutes, I put my baking pan directly on the oven floor to crisp it better.
• Cool till just warm (we never, but never eat this hot! The flavours just wouldn't come through properly). Cut into serving pieces and serve either just warm or at room temperature.
• Note: If my spinach filling appears to be too 'wet', I often take 2 of the phyllo sheets and use them as a 'layer' between the spinach filling; these sheets absorb the extra liquid (they must not be brushed with oil).
• It's also worth noting that Greeks love their olive oil! I have used olive oil with a lighter hand than most Greeks in this recipe - but it may still be too much for you. Feel free to add the amount you feel most comfortable with, but be aware that flavour may be compromised.

GREEK SPINACH & HERB PIE (WITHOUT CHEESE) A.K.A. SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Coarsely chop spinach and place in a colander. Salt lightly and let drain for 10 minutes. Press or squeeze to remove all excess liquid.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine spinach, dill, parsley, garlic, onions, leek, pepper, and mix well until ingredients are well blended.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Spray 9" round or square pyrex plate with cooking spray. When laying the sheets in the pan, leave an overlap of phyllo outside the pan rim all the way around. Lay half the phyllo sheets on the bottom, spraying each one lightly with Pam cooking spray.
• Spoon in the spinach mixture and spread evenly. Fold the extending phyllo in over the mixture. Lay the remaining phyllo sheets on top, spraying each with cooking oil except the top sheet. Tuck or tim eadges. I like to kind of ruffle mine.
• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes in the middle of the oven. When done, remove from the oven and allow to cool 1/2 hour before serving.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH AND CHEESE PIE)

Steps:

• Mix spinach, feta, cottage cheese, onion, parsley, dill and salt.
• Add beaten agges and combine well.
• Brush bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish with the softened butter.
• Unfold the filo leaves and cut in half, crosswise.
• Wrap and refreeze one half of the filo.
• Cover the other half of the filo with a damp towel.
• Gently separate one filo leaf from the stack.
• Place it in the baking dish and fold over the edges to fit the bottom of the dish.
• Brush the entire surface of the filo lightly with melted butter.
• Repeat steps 7-9 until you have used half of the filo leaves.
• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the filo in the dish.
• Layer the remaining filo over the spinach mixture in the same manner as the first half of the filo.
• Cut through the top layers of the filo leaves with a sharp knife, making a diamond pattern (this will make it easier to cut the spanakopita later).
• Cook uncovered until golden, about 35 minutes.
• Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH AND CHEESE PIE)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Lightly butter the inside of the pie plate.
• heat 3 tablespoons of butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add in the onion, green onion and garlic and saute for about 3-4 minutes or until softened.
• Add/stir in the chopped spinach and parsley; continue to cook for 3-5 minutes or until the spinach is limp; remove from heat and cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until well blended.
• Add in ricotta cheese and feta, then add to the spinach mixture; mix to combine with a wooden spoon.
• Season the mixture with salt and black pepper (at this point I add in about 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, but that is optional).
• Layer 4 sheets of thawed phyllo dough into prepared pie plate, brushing each layer with melted butter or oil (to prevent drying out, follow the instructions on the phyllo dough package).
• Pour the spinach mixture on top of the dough.
• Repeat the layers of phyllo dough.
• Tuck the overhanging dough into the pie plate and crimp edges.
• Brush with melted butter.
• Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes.

EASY SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH AND FETA PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Gently roll out each sheet of puff pastry to the size of your pan (approximately 9 x 13). Spray pan with spray and place the first sheet of pastry.
• Making sure that all the liquid has been squeezed and drained from the spinach, mix spinach with the feta, cottage cheese, eggs, pepper and dill. Spread mixture in pan.
• Top mixture with second sheet of pastry and brush with egg wash (optional).
• Bake till golden brown, approximately 35 minutes.

ATHENA'S SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH AND FETA PIE)

Steps:

• Place spinach and water in large microwave-safe bowl. Cover bowl with large dinner plate. Microwave on high power until spinach is wilted and decreased in volume by half, about 5 minutes. Using potholders, remove bowl from microwave and keep covered, 1 minute. Carefully remove plate and transfer spinach to colander set in sink. Using back of rubber spatula, gently press spinach against colander to release excess liquid.
• Transfer spinach to cutting board and roughly chop. Transfer spinach to clean kitchen towel and squeeze to remove excess water. Place drained spinach in large bowl. Add remaining filling ingredients and mix. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using pastry brush, lightly brush 14 by 9-inch rectangle in center of parchment with melted butter to cover area same size as phyllo. Lay 1 phyllo sheet on buttered parchment, and brush thoroughly with melted butter. Repeat with 9 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter (you should have total of 10 layers of phyllo).
• Spread spinach mixture evenly over phyllo, leaving 1/4 inch border on all sides. Cover spinach with 6 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter and sprinkling each with about 2 tablespoons Pecorino cheese. Lay 2 more phyllo sheets on top, brushing each with butter (these layers should not be sprinkled with Pecorino).
• Working from center outward, use palms of your hands to compress layers and press out any air pockets. Using sharp knife, score pie through the top 3 layers of phyllo into 24 equal pieces. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Bake until phyllo is golden and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 10 minutes or up to 2 hours. Slide spanakopita, still on parchment, to cutting board. Cut into squares and serve.

YUMMY GREEK SPINACH PIE (SPANAKOPITA)

Steps:

• Saute onion, green onions and garlic, salt and pepper to taste, until soft in 3 or 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Stir in spinach and parsley,until spinach is limp.
• Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• in a bowl mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta.
• Stir in spinach mixture.
• Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in a 9x9 in baking dish and brush lightly with melted butter.
• Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with butter, and repeat with four more sheets of phyllo.
• Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and place another 6 sheets of phyllo in the same process as before.
• Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Serve while hot.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH AND FETA PIE)

Steps:

• Combine butter and olive oil in large heavy pan and fry onion and garlic until soft.
• Wash and drain spinach and remove thick stalks, then blanch for a minute or two in boiling water.
• Add blanched spinach to onion and garlic mix and cook for further 5 minutes or so.
• Spinach should be deep green colour and stalks should be tender.
• Add eggs (I use no eggs, but the traditional receipe calls for them) and dill.
• Crumble feta into pan and stir well for a minute or two.
• Eggs should be cooked by then.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Butter baking pan.
• If using phyllo, separate sheets, and brush each sheet individually with melted butter.
• Use 15-20 sheets, and overlap them, making sure that sheets hang well over the edge of the pan.
• If using short-crust or puff pastry, roll out a sheet big enough to line pan with plenty hanging outside.
• If making bite-sized pies cut squares approximately 2 1/12" square.
• Drain spinach mixture by pressing lightly and allowing liquid to drain into a cup or bowl.
• The filling should not be too wet or the pastry gets mushy.
• It should also not be too dry or the pie is not juicy enough.
• Put filling into pastry and bring edges up to enclose filling.
• (Fill each bite-size square with a spoonfull or so, fold over pastry into a triangle).
• Seal by crimping, tucking in, or any means that work.
• Score the top lightly, not enough to reach filling, and brush with egg.
• Bake in moderate oven until pastry is golden and done.
• Good hot or cold.

SPINACH PIE (SPANAKOPITA CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• 1. Mix first 8 ingredients together.
• 2. Butter the bottom of 9" X 13" baking pan. Place 4 phylo leaves on bottom, buttering after each leave.
• 3. Place half of the spinach mix on phylo leaves and then place 4 more leaves on top of spinach, buttering after each leaf. Place remainder of spinach and place one more phylo leaf on the very top. (For a thicker and flakier crust, add more phylo leaves on top.) Sprinkle with butter. Turn phylo at edges towards rim of the pan. Bake in moderately hot oven, 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

SPANAKOPITA, SPINACH PIE

Steps:

• Heat the washed spinach, do not add water the moisture from washing the spinach is enough.
• Saute until just wilted 3-5 minutes,remove from pan set aside.
• Fry onion in the oil for 10 minutes, add green onion and fry a further 5 minutes In a large bowl mix onions& spinach, add parsley, dill or fennel, nutmeg, cheeses and eggs.
• Stir to combine and check taste for the amount of salt& pepper you want.
• Brush a 12x10" baking dish with butter and line with a sheet of fillo.
• Brush sheet with butter and place in another sheet of fillo continue to brush each sheet until you have 5 layers.
• Pour in the spinach mixture and top with remaining 5 sheets of fillo buttering each sheet.
• Brush top layer with butter and score it with a very sharp knife or a razor blade in serving size squares.
• Sprinkle with water to keep the fillo from curling.
• Bake in 350f oven for about 45 minute, or until it has puffed and is golden.
• allow to sit for 5 minutes and serve.

GREEK SPINACH PIE (SPANAKOPITA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C); lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan.
• Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.

MOLDED SPINACH PHYLLO PIE (SPANAKOPITA SE FORMA)

Steps:

• Saute scallion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Cook spinach in water until wilted in a large saucepan. Drain, pressing out as much liquid as possible. (If using frozen spinach, simply thaw and drain thoroughly.) Mix together scallion, eggs, feta, cottage cheese, farina, parsley, dill, and spinach. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Butter a two-quart ring mold. Unfold phyllo and wrap in plastic wrap to keep from drying out. Remove one sheet of phyllo and, using a pastry brush, lightly dab it with melted butter. Fit into the mold, allowing at least an inch to hang over the edge. Repeat, using about 20 sheets of phyllo, making sure to distribute the sheets evenly on all sides. Fill mold with spinach mixture. Fold overhanging bits of phyllo over filling. Arrange remaining sheets, individually by buttering one at a time and placing it over the filling so that the mold is completely covered. Remove pastry dough from the mold's center hole.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place mold on baking sheet and bake for 1 1/4 hours or until golden brown and puffed. Let stand 10 minutes before unmolding onto a platter. If top crust is not crisp and golden, return to oven briefly to brown top.

MY MUM'S GREEK SPINACH PIE (SPANAKOPITA)

Steps:

• For the filo: Put in a big bowl the flour, the salt and start adding the water until you have a hard dough that doesn't stick to the fingers. Knead for 2-3 minutes.
• (I usually make the dough one day before and I put it in a plastic bag in the fridge. That way it is easier to work it into the filos the next day.).
• Divide the dough in 5 pieces for 5 filos. Place one ball on a dusted-with-flour counter and roll into a big circle, a little bigger than the pan you are using. It's hard work, I know! Start using each filo in the pan and then work with the other piece of dough.
• Filling: Mix the spinach, the sping onions, the leek, the dill and the parsley. Add one teaspoon of salt and start rubbing by hand for 3 - 4 minutes. The greens start getting softer and their liquids start running. Drain them and then add the feta cheese, the pepper and the rice or couscous. Rice helps to absorb the extra liquid.
• Lighty oil a 14 inch in diameter, round baking pan. Layer one filo in the pan, allowing the edges to hang over the sides of the pan. Brush the filo with olive oil and repeat with another filo.
• Put the spinach mixture in and add the olive oil of the filling. Tuck in the pastry draping over the edges.
• Repeat layering with the remaining 3 filos, oiling each one gernerously.
• Using a knife, score the pie into the size pieces you prefer, but avoid cuting through the bottom.
• Brush the pie with some more olive oil.
• Bake at 375°F for 1 hour.