Spanakopita (Greek Spinach & Feta Pie)

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach & Feta Pie)

A classic Greek savory pie filled with creamy spinach, tangy feta, fresh herbs, and eggs, all wrapped in shatteringly crisp, golden phyllo pastry. This home-cook-friendly version uses frozen spinach (no wilting required!) and store-bought phyllo dough for a reliable, crowd-pleasing result every time. Perfect as a main dish, side, or party appetizer.

8 servings · Prep 35 min · Cook 50 min · Total 85 min

Appetizer

Filling

  • 2 package frozen chopped spinach thawed completely
  • 1 yellow onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 eggs lightly beaten
  • 16 oz feta cheese crumbled (block feta preferred over pre-crumbled)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 0.5 cup fresh dill roughly chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley roughly chopped
  • 4 stalks green onions thinly sliced
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt taste before adding — feta is very salty

Crust

  • 1 package phyllo dough thawed overnight in the refrigerator, #4 thickness (standard)
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter melted (about 1.5 sticks), or use olive oil
  • olive oil

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Baking Dish
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Paper Towel
  • Kitchen Towel
  • Cheesecloth
  • Kitchen Shears
  • Pastry Brush
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Pan
  • Baking Dish (9 x 13)
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)

Instructions

  1. Thaw the @[Frozen Spinach] completely, then transfer it in batches to a clean #[Kitchen Shears] towel or several layers of cheesecloth. Wring it out as firmly as you can — you want it as dry as possible. This is the single most important step: excess moisture will make your pie soggy. Set aside.
  2. Heat the @[Olive Oil] in a #[Skillet] over ^[medium heat]. Add the diced @[Yellow Onion] and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about ~[5–6 minutes]. Add the @[Garlic] and cook for ~[1 more minute] until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a large #[Mixing Bowl], combine the wrung-out @[Spinach], sautéed @[Yellow Onion] and @[Garlic], beaten @[Eggs], crumbled @[Feta Cheese], @[Ricotta Cheese], @[Dill], @[Flat-Leaf Parsley], @[Green Onions], @[Nutmeg], and @[Black Pepper]. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined. Taste the mixture and add @[Kosher Salt] only if needed — @[Feta Cheese] is quite salty on its own. Set the filling aside.
  4. Preheat your #[Oven] to ![375°F]. Brush a 9x13-inch #[Baking Dish] generously with melted @[Butter]. Unroll the @[Phyllo Dough] and lay it flat. Immediately cover it with a sheet of #[Plastic Wrap] and then a slightly damp #[Kitchen Shears] towel — @[Phyllo Dough] dries out and cracks within minutes when exposed to air, so keep it covered whenever you're not actively working with it.
  5. Lay one sheet of @[Phyllo Dough] into the buttered #[Baking Dish], letting any excess drape over the sides. Brush it all over with melted @[Butter]. Repeat with 7 more sheets (8 total), brushing each one with @[Butter] before adding the next. This forms your bottom crust.
  6. Spread the @[Spinach] and @[Feta Cheese] filling evenly over the @[Phyllo Dough] base, smoothing it into the corners with a #[Spatula].
  7. Layer 8 more sheets of @[Phyllo Dough] on top of the filling, again brushing each sheet generously with @[Butter]. For the final top sheet, tuck any overhanging edges down and inward along the sides of the dish to create a neat border, and brush the top thoroughly with @[Butter].
  8. Using a very sharp #[Knife], score the top layers of @[Phyllo Dough] (don't cut all the way through) into the portion sizes you want — typically 8 to 12 squares or rectangles. This prevents the top from shattering uncontrollably when you cut it after baking. Sprinkle a few drops of water on top to help prevent the edges from curling.
  9. Bake in the preheated #[Oven] for ~[45–50 minutes], until the top is deep golden brown and the @[Phyllo Dough] is crisp and flaky. If the top is browning too fast, tent loosely with #[Aluminum Foil] after ~[30 minutes].
  10. Remove from the #[Oven] and let the spanakopita rest for at least ~[10–15 minutes] before cutting. This allows the filling to set so slices hold their shape. Cut along your scored lines and serve warm or at room temperature.