Spanakopita Pie

If you love spanakopita, the classic Greek spinach and cheese pie, you will adore this easy and fun spanakopita pie recipe! It has all the flavors and textures of the traditional dish, but with less phyllo dough and more spinach filling. Plus, it looks beautiful and impressive as a brunch or lunch dish. Serve it with a simple salad or some Greek dips for a satisfying and delicious meal.

What is spanakopita?

Spanakopita is a savory pie made with layers of crispy phyllo dough and a creamy filling of spinach and feta cheese. It is usually cut into triangles or squares and served as an appetizer or snack in Greece. Spanakopita can also be made into individual hand pies or rolls for a portable treat.

How to make spanakopita pie

This spanakopita pie recipe is very easy to make and requires only 30 minutes of active time before baking. Here are the basic steps:

1. Make the spinach and cheese filling. Cook some onion and garlic until soft, then add fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Drain the excess liquid and chop the spinach mixture. Transfer to a bowl and add eggs, feta cheese, a mild melty cheese (like mozzarella or Monterey Jack), fresh dill, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
2. Layer the phyllo dough in a pie pan. Brush or spray a 9-inch pie pan with some olive oil. Take one sheet of phyllo dough (keep the rest covered with a damp towel) and place it over the pie pan, letting some of the dough hang over the edges. Brush or spray with more oil, then place another sheet of phyllo dough on top, rotating it slightly to create a star shape. Repeat with 10 more sheets of phyllo dough, brushing or spraying each layer with oil and rotating them slightly.
3. Spread the filling over the phyllo dough. Spoon the spinach and cheese filling over the phyllo dough and spread it evenly.
4. Fold the edges of the phyllo dough over the filling. Gently fold the overhanging phyllo dough over the filling to create a rustic crust. Brush or spray the edges with more oil.
5. Bake until golden and crisp. Bake the spanakopita pie in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes, until the phyllo dough is golden and crisp.
6. Let it rest before slicing. Let the spanakopita pie rest for 10 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving.

Tips for making spanakopita pie

• Use frozen spinach if you want to save time and money. Just make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out as much liquid as possible before adding it to the filling.
• Use spray olive oil for easier and faster application on the phyllo dough. You will also use less oil this way.
• Don’t worry if the phyllo dough tears or crumbles a bit. It will still bake up beautifully and taste great.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

What to serve with spanakopita pie

Spanakopita pie makes a great main course for brunch or lunch, or a hearty side dish for dinner. You can serve it with any of these salads or dips for a complete Greek-inspired meal:

• Greek Salad
• Tzatziki Sauce
• Hummus
• Baba Ganoush
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Enjoy this spanakopita pie recipe and let me know what you think!