Best 3 Tips Spanakopita Spinach Pie Recipes

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Spanakopita, a traditional Greek dish, is a savory pie consisting of layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with a mixture of spinach, feta cheese, eggs, and herbs. This versatile dish can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish, and is often enjoyed during special occasions and gatherings. Spanakopita can be prepared in various ways, with different regions and families having their own unique variations. Some common variations include adding different types of cheese, such as mizithra or ricotta, or incorporating vegetables like onions, leeks, or zucchini. Additionally, the dough can be brushed with butter or olive oil before baking, resulting in a golden and crispy crust. This article presents a collection of three distinct spanakopita recipes, each offering its own unique flavors and textures to tantalize your taste buds.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

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 (SPINACH PIE)



Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 7 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound butter or margarine
1 medium onion, diced
5 scallions, diced
3 pounds fresh spinach
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh dill
1/2 pound feta cheese
6 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound filo dough

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.

GREEK SPINACH PIES (SPANAKOPITA) RECIPE BY TASTY



Greek Spinach Pies (Spanakopita) Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: olive oil, green onion, fresh spinach, garlic, feta cheese, ricotta cheese, fresh dill, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, phyllo dough

Provided by Pierce Abernathy

Categories     Dinner

Yield 8 triangles

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup green onion, chopped
15 oz fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup feta cheese
½ cup ricotta cheese
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
8 sheets phyllo dough

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
  • In a large pan over medium heat, cook the green onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft.
  • Add half the spinach, giving time for some to cook down before adding the rest.
  • Once the spinach has cooked down, transfer to a medium mixing bowl to cool slightly.
  • Add the feta, ricotta, egg, dill, parsley, salt and pepper, and mix until evenly spread.
  • Set in refrigerator.
  • Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough on a dry surface. Using a pastry brush, coat evenly with olive oil.
  • Add another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the oiled sheet and repeat the oiling process. Continue until there is a stack of 4 oiled sheets. Repeat process on a new stack with remaining 4 sheets.
  • Cut your dough into 4 sections using a pizza cutter.
  • With a single section, add a spoonful of your spinach mix and begin folding over your pastry, brushing each fold with oil. Repeat this process for the remaining sections.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 9 grams, Sugar 2 grams

Tips for Making Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

  • Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor and color than frozen spinach. If you're using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess water before using.
  • Don't overcook the spinach: Overcooked spinach will be mushy and lose its flavor. Cook the spinach until it is just wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Use a good quality feta cheese: Feta cheese is the key ingredient in spanakopita. Be sure to use a feta cheese that is made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep's and goat's milk. Avoid using feta cheese made from cow's milk, as it will not have the same flavor.
  • Use filo dough that is at room temperature: Filo dough is very delicate and can tear easily. To make it easier to work with, let it come to room temperature before using.
  • Brush the filo dough with melted butter: This will help to keep the filo dough from becoming dry and brittle. You can also brush the filo dough with olive oil if you prefer.
  • Be careful not to overfill the spanakopita: If you overfill the spanakopita, it will be difficult to fold and may burst open during baking.
  • Bake the spanakopita until it is golden brown: The spanakopita is done baking when it is golden brown on top and the filling is hot and bubbly.

Conclusion

Spanakopita is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover spinach. With a few simple tips, you can make a spanakopita that is sure to impress your family and friends.

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