Easy Homemade Greek Spinach Pie Recipe: Flaky Perfection

Greek spinach pie represents a culinary masterpiece that embodies the essence of Mediterranean comfort food.

Delicate layers of translucent pastry embrace a verdant filling bursting with earthy greens and tangy cheese.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this beloved recipe, changeing simple ingredients into a spectacular dish.

Crisp, buttery edges give way to a creamy, herbaceous center that dances with robust flavors.

Each bite tells a story of cultural heritage and passionate cooking traditions.

Skilled bakers understand the subtle art of balancing textures and seasoning in this timeless classic.

You’ll want to savor every morsel of this extraordinary creation.

Why Greek Spinach Pie Is a Flaky Favorite

• Savor Layered Textures: Each bite delivers a delightful contrast between crispy, buttery phyllo pastry and creamy, soft spinach-cheese filling that melts perfectly in your mouth.
• Celebrate Mediterranean Freshness: Packed with vibrant herbs like dill and parsley, this Greek spinach pie bursts with authentic Mediterranean flavors that transport you straight to a sunny Greek island.
• Master an Impressive Technique: Creating multiple delicate phyllo layers requires skill, making this recipe an excellent opportunity to showcase your culinary prowess while impressing family and friends with a professional-looking dish.
• Enjoy Nutrient-Rich Comfort: Loaded with protein from eggs and cheese, plus iron-packed spinach, this pie offers a delicious way to consume a balanced meal that feels indulgent yet nutritionally smart.

What You’ll Need for Layers of Spinach, Feta, and Crispiness

• Spinach: A leafy green that provides the core filling with its rich nutrients and earthy flavor. Fresh spinach works best, but frozen can be a convenient alternative.
• Onion: Adds sweet and aromatic base to the filling. Choose a yellow or white onion for mild flavor.
• Garlic: Provides deep, pungent undertones to enhance overall taste. Fresh garlic cloves are preferred for maximum flavor.
• Dill: Fresh herb that brings bright, tangy notes to the pie. Choose vibrant green sprigs with no wilting.
• Parsley: Adds fresh, green herbal accent to complement other ingredients. Fresh leaves are more flavorful than dried.

• Feta Cheese: Salty, crumbly Greek cheese that gives authentic Mediterranean character. Look for high-quality, traditional Greek feta.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy cheese that helps bind the filling and add soft texture. Choose whole milk ricotta for richness.
• Butter: Used for greasing pan and layering phyllo sheets. Unsalted butter provides best control of dishs saltiness.

• Eggs: Act as primary binding agent for the filling. Fresh large eggs work best.
• Phyllo Sheets: Delicate, thin pastry that creates crispy, flaky layers. Keep covered to prevent drying.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding subtle flavor. Extra virgin olive oil recommended.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste profile.

How to Bake a Golden, Savory Greek Spinach Pie

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish

Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Cook for 6 minutes, stirring frequently until softened. Remove from heat and mix in dill and parsley.

Step 3: Drain Spinach

Remove excess moisture from spinach using a colander or clean kitchen towel. Press firmly to extract water.

Step 4: Create Cheese Mixture

• Eggs
• Feta cheese
• Ricotta cheese

Blend until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine Filling Ingredients

• Cooked onion mixture
• Drained spinach
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 6: Layer Phyllo Base

Carefully unroll phyllo sheets, keeping them covered with damp paper towels to prevent drying. Place one sheet at the bottom of the prepared pan.

Step 7: Create Bottom Phyllo Layer

Layer 9 additional phyllo sheets, brushing each layer thoroughly with butter or oil.

Step 8: Add Spinach Filling

Spread spinach mixture evenly across the phyllo base, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 9: Create Top Phyllo Layer

Add 10 more phyllo sheets, buttering each layer. Tuck excess dough around sides or trim with a sharp knife for a neat appearance.

Step 10: Final Butter Layer

Generously brush the top layer with melted butter for a golden, crispy finish.

Step 11: Bake and Rest

Bake for 35-40 minutes until top turns golden brown. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips to Keep Your Pie Crispy, Creamy, and Well-Balanced

• Master Moisture Control: Squeeze spinach thoroughly to prevent a soggy pie bottom, using a clean kitchen towel or colander to remove excess water.
• Phyllo Preservation Trick: Keep phyllo sheets covered with damp paper towels to prevent drying and cracking while layering.
• Butter Brushing Technique: Coat each phyllo layer generously with melted butter for a crispy, golden-brown exterior that's flaky and delicious.
• Seasoning Balance: Taste your egg and cheese mixture before adding to ensure perfect salt and pepper levels that complement the spinach.
• Cooling Wisdom: Let the pie rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make cutting cleaner and easier, allowing flavors to settle and texture to stabilize.

Best Storage Methods to Preserve the Pie’s Crunch

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Greek spinach pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out and maintain its delicious texture.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place pie slice on a baking sheet and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Covering with foil prevents the phyllo from burning while ensuring the filling gets hot and crispy.
• Microwave Quick Option: For a faster reheating method, microwave individual slices on medium power for 45-60 seconds. Watch carefully to prevent soggy crust, and let the slice rest for 30 seconds before serving to distribute heat evenly.

Tasty Pairings That Love Greek Spinach Pie as Much as You Do

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Assyrtiko perfectly complement the spinach pie's rich, creamy texture and herbal notes, cutting through the cheese's richness with bright, zesty flavors.
• Serve with Greek Salad: A traditional horiatiki salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta creates a refreshing contrast to the warm, flaky pie, balancing its dense filling.
• Add Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Include hummus, tzatziki, dolmades, and kalamata olives to enhance the Greek culinary experience, providing varied textures and complementary Mediterranean flavors.
• Cool Down with Tzatziki Dip: This yogurt-based sauce adds a tangy, cool element that perfectly refreshes the palate between bites of the warm, savory spinach pie.

Ways to Reimagine This Greek Classic

• Mediterranean Veggie Fusion: Replace spinach with a mix of zucchini, roasted bell peppers, and artichoke hearts for a colorful, nutrient-packed alternative that brings vibrant Mediterranean flavors to the classic pie.
• Protein-Packed Power: Incorporate crumbled ground lamb or turkey into the filling, adding depth and protein while maintaining the traditional Greek pie structure and taste profile.
• Vegan Green Goodness: Swap eggs and cheese with tofu, nutritional yeast, and cashew cream, using plant-based phyllo sheets to create a dairy-free, protein-rich version that captures the essence of the original recipe.
• Herb Garden Remix: Experiment with additional fresh herbs like mint, oregano, and thyme to elevate the filling's aromatic complexity, creating a more robust and layered flavor experience that celebrates Greek culinary traditions.

Greek Spinach Pie Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 1 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spanakopita whispers Mediterranean magic through flaky phyllo layers embracing rich spinach and feta. Crisp pastry edges cradle herbal, creamy filling that transports you straight to Greece’s sunlit kitchens.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 20 ounces (567 grams) frozen chopped spinach (thawed)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) ricotta cheese
• 20 sheets phyllo dough (thawed to room temperature)

Aromatic Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) chopped onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chopped fresh dill (or mint)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chopped fresh parsley

Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:

• Sea or kosher salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 12 tablespoons (180 milliliters) melted butter (plus more if needed)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and soft, approximately 6 minutes. Remove from heat and incorporate fresh dill and parsley into the aromatic mixture.
3. Drain excess liquid from spinach using a colander or clean kitchen towel, pressing firmly to remove moisture completely.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, crumbled feta cheese, and ricotta cheese until thoroughly combined and smooth.
5. Gently fold the sautéed onion mixture, drained spinach, salt, and black pepper into the egg and cheese blend, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
6. Carefully handle phyllo sheets, keeping them covered with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Place the first sheet carefully at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
7. Continue layering nine additional phyllo sheets, brushing each layer generously with melted butter to create a crisp, flaky texture.
8. Spread the spinach and cheese filling evenly across the phyllo base, making sure to distribute it to all corners of the dish.
9. Layer the remaining ten phyllo sheets on top, brushing each with butter. Tuck or trim excess dough around the edges for a neat appearance.
10. Brush the top layer with an extra layer of melted butter to ensure a golden, crispy crust.
11. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns a rich, golden brown. Allow the pie to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into neat serving portions.

Notes

• Phyllo dough becomes delicate and tears easily when exposed to air, so keep sheets covered with a damp towel during preparation.
• Squeezing water from spinach prevents a soggy pie and ensures a crisp, flaky crust that holds its shape perfectly.
• Fresh herbs like dill and parsley elevate the traditional flavor, adding brightness and aromatic depth to the classic Greek dish.
• Feta and ricotta cheese blend creates a creamy, tangy filling that melts beautifully and provides rich protein throughout the pie.
• Layering phyllo sheets with butter between each one guarantees a golden, crispy texture that shatters delightfully when cut.
• Letting the pie rest after baking allows filling to set and makes slicing cleaner and more precise for elegant serving.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 525 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 1110mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 21g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 320mg