Best 8 Dinner Spanakopitas Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to Greece with our mouthwatering spanakopita recipes. These delightful pastries, boasting layers of flaky phyllo dough enveloping a savory filling of spinach, feta cheese, and herbs, are a testament to the country's rich culinary heritage. Whether you prefer the classic spanakopita, a vegetarian delight, or variations like the tiropita, which showcases a blend of cheeses, or the kreatopita, featuring minced meat, our recipes cater to diverse preferences. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds as you explore the versatility and delectable flavors of spanakopita, a dish that has captivated hearts and palates for centuries.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SPANAKOPITA



Spanakopita image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, half a turn of the pan
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
Salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ground or freshly grated
4 ounces feta with black pepper or plain feta, crumbled into tiny bits
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons sour cream
4 (13 by 17-inch) sheets, defrosted phyllo pastry dough
3 tablespoons melted butter

Steps:

  • Place oven rack in center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
  • Preheat a small pan over medium to medium high heat. Add oil and onion and saute 5 minutes. Place onion in a bowl. Add chopped dry, defrosted spinach and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add feta to the bowl and combine it with spinach. Add beaten egg and sour cream to the bowl and combine with cheese, spinach and onion.
  • On a large work surface, place 1 sheet of phyllo. Paint half of the sheet with a little melted butter, paying extra attention to your perimeter. Fold sheet in half. Pile 1/4 of your spinach mixture into a log shape working 2 inches from bottom and each side. Tuck bottom up and fold both sides in, then roll and wrap upwards until you reach the edge of the dough sheet. Each pastry will resemble an egg roll. Paint the seam and the ends of the roll with butter and set roll seam side down on a cookie sheet. Repeat and make 4 rolls. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly golden all over and serve.

SPANAKOPITA



Spanakopita image

Spanakopita, the classic Greek savory pie, is elegant and impressive, yet easy to make. The star ingredient is spinach, and lots of it (two pounds to be exact). This pie tastes best when made with fresh spinach, though you could also use the same amount of frozen spinach - just be sure to thaw completely and squeeze out all the excess water before using. This recipe can be baked a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator overnight, then rewarmed at 400 degrees until heated through, about 15 minutes. Cut into small squares or triangles to serve as an appetizer, or for a more complete meal, serve larger squares of the pie alongside soup or salad.

Provided by Kay Chun

Categories     casseroles, vegetables, main course

Time 2h

Yield One 9-by-13-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
5 scallions, trimmed and finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 pounds baby spinach (32 ounces)
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups crumbled feta (6 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup/115 grams unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
8 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed and halved crosswise

Steps:

  • In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion, scallions and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes.
  • In batches, stir in spinach until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Strain spinach mixture through a sieve, pressing out excess liquid to prevent a soggy crust. Transfer to a large bowl and cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs, feta, Parmesan and parsley and stir until combined.
  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch pan (2 inches deep) with butter. Lay one half sheet of phyllo dough in baking dish. Using a pastry brush, brush dough with butter. Repeat 7 more times to form crust. Spread spinach mixture evenly over crust. Brush one half sheet of phyllo dough with butter and lay on top of filling, butter side up. Repeat with remaining 7 sheets of dough. Using a serrated knife, lightly score top layer of dough into squares (this will make it easier to cut once baked). Bake until crust is lightly golden and filling is heated through, 50 to 60 minutes. Serve warm.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)



Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) image

This is an authentic, really rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses and herbs that are all enfolded by crispy, flaky phyllo dough.

Provided by SILVERWOLF

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 1h30m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds spinach, rinsed and chopped
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup ricotta cheese
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
8 sheets phyllo dough
¼ cup olive oil

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 494.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 100.3 mg, Fat 34.7 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 11.5 g, Sodium 893.9 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

SPANAKOPITA



Spanakopita image

Greek spinach pie.

Provided by Bea Gassman

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 1h50m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 ½ cups finely chopped onion
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 ¼ cups shredded Swiss cheese
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 dash ground cinnamon
1 cup butter, melted
1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Place spinach in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender, about 2 to 6 minutes. Drain and press to remove all water. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion until tender, but do not brown. Stir in cooked spinach and continue cooking until all moisture has evaporated. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  • In a large bowl combine feta cheese, Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley and cinnamon. Stir in spinach and onion mixture.
  • Brush the bottom of a 17x11 inch jelly roll pan with butter. Place 1 sheet of dough in the bottom of the pan; brush with butter. Continue to layer 13 more sheets of dough, brushing every other sheet with butter. Spread spinach and cheese mixture over dough. Continue layering with remaining dough, brushing every other sheet with butter. Tuck edges of dough under. Brush top sheet with butter and, using a sharp knife, score top layer into diamonds.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 496.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31.1 g, Cholesterol 125.2 mg, Fat 34.5 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 17.2 g, SaturatedFat 20 g, Sodium 816 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH TRIANGLES OR PIE)



Spanakopita (Spinach Triangles or Pie) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h25m

Yield 60 triangles or 1 (9 by 13inch

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup olive oil
2 pounds spinach, washed and drained
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound feta cheese, crumbled
1 to 2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 pound filo pastry sheets

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.)

DEEP DISH SPANAKOPITA



Deep Dish Spanakopita image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

500 grams frozen spinach (about two 9-ounce packages)
10 sheets frozen phyllo dough (about 280 grams/10 ounces)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 garlic clove, grated
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped dill
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 cups crumbled feta cheese (about 250 grams)
1 egg
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (75 grams)

Steps:

  • Defrost the spinach and phyllo dough in the fridge overnight.
  • For the filling, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened and lightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the parsley, dill, red pepper flakes, nutmeg and lemon zest. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Drain the spinach through a strainer lined with a clean kitchen towel or a few layers of sturdy paper towel. Gather the spinach up in the towel and squeeze out as much of the water as possible. Transfer to a bowl and add the lemon juice and feta. Stir in the cooled onion mixture and the egg.
  • Retrieve the phyllo from the fridge, unroll it and cover it with a clean kitchen towel to keep it from drying out. Place a 9-inch springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet and brush the bottom and sides lightly with butter. Lay out one sheet of phyllo, brush with butter and transfer it to the prepared pan. There is no need to be extra careful here - the phyllo might tear, crack or rumple up a bit but that just makes for more texture in the end result. Layer on two more buttered sheets of phyllo across the bottom of the pan.
  • Continue buttering the phyllo as before but begin placing the remaining sheets off-center around the pan so that their edges overlap in the center of the base and the other edge hangs over the sides, gently pressing along the bottom and up the sides to create a crust. Transfer the spinach filling into the phyllo crust and spread into an even layer.
  • Gather and fold the overhanging phyllo overtop of the edges of the spinach, leaving the center bit of spinach exposed. Brush the phyllo with remaining butter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan and serving.

SPANOKOPITA



Spanokopita image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     appetizer

Time 47m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup olive oil
1 bunch chopped scallions, white and green parts
2 (10-ounce) boxes frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
7 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
40 sheets (1 box) frozen phyllo dough (such as Pepperidge Farm), defrosted overnight in the refrigerator
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Heat the olive oil in a saute pan and add the scallions. Cook for 5 minutes or until soft. Meanwhile, squeeze most of the water out of the spinach and place it in a bowl. Add the scallions, dill, eggs, feta, salt, and pepper and mix together.
  • Keep the phyllo dough sheets covered with a damp kitchen towel. Unfold 1 sheet of the phyllo dough. Brush the sheet with melted butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Repeat the process by laying a second sheet of phyllo dough over the first sheet, brush it with melted butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs until all 10 sheets have been used. Spoon 3/4 cup of the spinach mixture into a sausage shape along one edge of the phyllo dough. Roll it up. Brush the top with butter and score the roll into 1-inch rounds. Place it on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat until all the pastry and filling have been used.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Serve warm.

EASY SPANAKOPITA APPETIZERS



Easy Spanakopita Appetizers image

I love having appetizers on hand in the freezer, especially when the holiday season is fast approaching. This easy spanakopita recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Everyone loves them, they're easy to prep and they bake up in about 20 minutes. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 1h

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
15 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size)
1/2 cup butter, melted
Optional: Tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges and fresh dill sprigs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, mix the first 9 ingredients. Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface; brush with butter. Layer with 2 additional phyllo sheets, brushing each layer. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.), Arrange 3/4 cup spinach mixture in a narrow row along the long end of phyllo to within 1 in. of edges. Fold bottom edge of phyllo over filling, then roll up. Brush end of phyllo dough with butter and press to seal. Repeat 4 times with phyllo sheets, butter and the spinach mixture. Place rolls on a parchment-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan, seam side down., Cut rolls diagonally into 2-in. pieces (do not separate). Brush tops with remaining butter. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. If desired, serve with tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges and dill sprigs. , Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked rolls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until firm. Transfer to a freezer container; return to freezer. To use, bake rolls on a parchment-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan in a preheated 375° oven until heated through and golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 96 calories, Fat 8g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 155mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach has a better flavor and texture than frozen spinach. If you're using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it and squeeze out all the excess water before using.
  • Don't overcook the spinach: Spinach cooks very quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked spinach will be mushy and lose its flavor.
  • Use a good quality feta cheese: Feta cheese is the key ingredient in spanakopita, so it's important to use a good quality cheese. Look for a feta cheese that is firm and crumbly, with a sharp, salty flavor.
  • Use filo dough that is at room temperature: Filo dough is very delicate and can easily tear if it's too cold. Before you start working with the dough, let it come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  • Brush the filo dough with butter: Brushing the filo dough with butter will help it to brown and crisp in the oven.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: When you're baking the spanakopita, don't overcrowd the pan. The spanakopita needs room to breathe so that it can cook evenly.

Conclusion:

Spanakopita is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. It's perfect for any occasion, from a casual get-together to a formal dinner party. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily make spanakopita at home. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give spanakopita a try. You won't be disappointed!

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