Spinach and Feta Filo Pie

Spinach and Feta Filo Pie (2)

I’ve loved spinach and feta filo pie (or Spanakopita as the Greek call it) ever since I first tried it. There’s something about the heady mixture of salty feta, fragrant nutmeg and crispy, light filo pastry which really appeals to me. It has all of the elements of a comforting pie, but feels light and guilt free (although, of course, there’s far too much butter and cheese involved for it to be really guilt free).

My love for this pie was hightened on our honeymoon in Kos, where I ate it for almost every meal (yes, that’s right, our hotel served it for breakfast! Yes, it was heaven), and cooking this meal now, in the depths of nasty, cold winter, takes me back to that beautiful, golden island under the beautiful, golden sun. Sigh!

Although we’re eating this as a main by itself, it would work perfectly well as part of a Greek mezze, perhaps as a side to these amazing Greek Chicken Tacos and Za’atar and Olive Focaccia on the side, with a wonderfully simple Greek yoghurt pud.

This will take you up to an hour to make, and will serve 4 as a main, 6 as a side.

Spinach and Feta Filo Pie (1)

Spinach and Feta Filo Pie

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion

200g spinach

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

400g feta

1 egg

6 sheets filo pastry

10g butter, melted

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.

2. Roughly chop your onion and add to a frying pan with the olive oil. Saute over a high heat for 1-2 minutes, then gradually add the spinach until it is all wilted. Stir in the nutmeg, and season with black pepper. Allow to cool.

3. Roughly chop the feta and put in a large bowl. Add the spinach mix and crack in the egg, then stir to combine well.

4. Take a large oven proof dish and brush with a little of the melted butter. Lay one of the sheets of filo pastry over the dish and brush with more butter. Repeat until the dish is completely covered with filo, and you have used 4 sheets.

5. Pile in the feta mix. Spread out evenly, then top with the remaining two sheets of filo pastry. Brush with more butter, then fold the overhanging pieces of filo pastry from the bottom layers over the top, so that it is wrapped like a parcel. Brush with more butter, then bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!

53 responses to “Spinach and Feta Filo Pie”

  1. This looks so delicious. Definitely on my list of recipes to try!

  2. Love the flavours in this Greek pie, very healthy too with all that spinach:-) Thanks for linking to my Focaccia:-)

  3. Oh my goodness, I have to make this very soon… Thanks for this tasty looking post.. hugs

    Take care and happy blogging to ya, from Laura ~

    1. Thanks Laura! Hope you like it x

      1. Harriet, is it alright if I pin the dish ?

        1. Of course it is! Go ahead 🙂

          1. Oh Harriet, thanking you kindly as I am going to be making this dish all the time now… I just adore spinach and filo… oh my I just am drooling over the picture… Thanks again.. hugs

  4. I love Spanakopita / Byrek, when I was in Greece anc Albania I had a lot of it, it’s delicious.
    Your spanakopita looks so temptive ???

    Best wishes,
    Alice

    1. Thanks Alice, it’s delicious isn’t it!

  5. Wow! looks so delicious and beautiful!!

  6. Yum! I used to make this all the time, but I haven’t done so in awhile. Your post inspired me to do it again. Thanks!

    1. I’m glad my post has helped remind you about it 🙂

  7. I love filo and love to work with it. This is a wonderful!!.

  8. This sounds ridiculously amazing, and actually, not that difficult. Would never have thought I could attempt something like this at home, but will now have to give it a try. Thanks for the awesome idea!

  9. It looks superb and so appetizing 🙂

  10. I’ve always wanted… but never had the courage to attempt Spanakopita… must try soon! This looks amazing.

    1. You should give it a go, it’s so easy 🙂

      1. I think it might be on the cards to do this weekend!

  11. This looks delicious and a Greek mezze sounds divine, may have a go at making this.

  12. I took a trip to Greece (Athens and the island Naxos) four years ago. I went with fruit, yogurt and honey every day for breakfast, but I’m right with you on devouring this at every other meal. I’ll have to try this out sometime!

  13. I need to try this one. I’ve always wanted to cook with filo dough, but to be honest, was always afraid I’d mess it up.

    1. It’s so easy – give it a go!

  14. Looks delicious… as do all of your recipes! Thanks for the follow, by the way. (I’ve followed you back) 😉

  15. Spanakopita is the most delicious thing in the world. That looks delicious. I am going to make me one of those!

  16. Loving the idea of a family sized filo pie!

  17. An hour well spent, I say! This looks great. I love, love, love spanikopita, but I’ve never had the guts to try and make it at home. Your recipe makes it look so easy though, so I’ll have to give it a go! Thanks!

    1. Thanks Amanda, I hope you enjoy it!

  18. Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    As you can see I am exploring some food blogs and coming up with gold.. this recipe looks scrumptious…

  19. I can eat this three times a day. S.c.r.u.m.p.t.i.o.u.s. <3

  20. This looks delicious and beautifully made! This dish is super similar to Bulgarian Banitsa (I’m from there and Banitsa uses eggs and walnuts instead of spinach) . Since you enjoyed this dish I think you’d really enjoy this variation as well 🙂

    1. Thank you! Banitsa sounds delicious – I will definitely try it out!

  21. This looks delicious!

  22. This flavor combination is a favorite…and why not for breakfast? I love savory flavor like this for breakfast.

  23. Oh my this sounds sooooo good. I could eat this for any meal of the day! 🙂

  24. Honeymoon pie… how apt on Valentines Day!! 😉

  25. Barely stopping myself to cook it right now! Thank you for your recipe!

  26. Barely stopping myself to cook it right now! Thank you for your recipe!

  27. This looks remarkably easy to cook. When it comes to baking, I’m positively dangerous in the kitchen. But, I think I will give this a try. It may not end up looking pretty but, it will surely be very tasty.

  28. This looks amazing. Spinach and feta cheese is such a great combo x

  29. This looks delicious! Now you need to try making your own filo … just sayin’ … 😉

    1. You’re completely right! Think that’s a weekend job 🙂

  30. Spanakopita is one of my favorites and Greece is #1 on my travel bucket list. Can’t wait to try your recipe!

  31. That looks simple enough for me to pull off! and I love anything involving cheese.

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