What does Spanakopita mean? Spanakopita means spinach pie in Greek. This is an authentic Greek healthy pie that features fresh spinach, onion, egg, and feta cheese.
However, I twisted this original recipe a bit by adding minced beef to the filling which transforms this spinach pie from being a side dish into a delicious meal.
My secret ingredient in this Mediterranean dish is using minced beef; it elevates this savoury pie and makes it more flavourful. This Greek savoury pie makes a lovely dinner, especially if served with yoghurt salad.
Spanakopita Ingredients
- Fresh spinach
- Onion, chopped
- Minced beef
- Minced garlic
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Olive oil
- Filo pastry
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Eggs
- Milk
How to make Authentic Spanakopita (Healthy Spinach pie)?
Preparing the filling: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat then add garlic and onions. Cook until the onions softens. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper and cook for 15-20 minutes. Next, add the spinach in batches, and cook until the spinach is wilted then turn off the heat.
Preparations: Preheat the oven to 190C/374F.
Unroll the Filo sheets.
In a small bowl, whisk milk, eggs, and pinch of salt and pepper.
Assembling the Spanakopita: Line a baking sheet with two Filo sheets, brush with oil then add another two sheets. Repeat until you’ve used half of the Filo sheets.
Next, spread the filling equally over the Filo sheets and top it with the feta cheese.
Then add two Filo sheets and brush them with oil. Repeat until all the Filo sheets are used.
Now, cut the Spanakopita into squares, then pour the milk mixture over it.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, sever warm.
Tips and variations
- I recommend putting the Filo sheets between two clean kitchen towels, so they don’t get too dry while assembling the pie.
- You can replace the oil with melted butter if you prefer.
- You may add a pinch of dry basil, thyme or sage to the beef.
- You can replace beef with minced chicken or skip adding any protein and make the traditional version of this spinach pie.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make it without minced beef, it will turn out just as delicious.
Spanakopita is delicious to eat hot or cold.
Yes, you can; however, you must make sure the spinach is drained well before using it.
Yes, you can make the pie then wrap it in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate then bake it an hour before serving.
Yes, put the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the freezer for 1-2 months.
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Authentic Spanakopita Recipe (Healthy Spinach Pie)
Ingredients
- 450 g fresh spinach
- 1 onion , chopped
- 500 g minced beef
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 150 g feta cheese , crumbled
- ½ cup olive oil
- 400 g Filo pastry
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ cup milk
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat then add garlic and onions. Cook until the onions softens. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper and cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Next, add the spinach in batches, and cook until the spinach is wilted then turn off the heat.
- Preheat the oven to 190C, unroll the Filo sheets. In a small bowl, whisk milk, eggs, and pinch of salt and pepper.
- Line a baking sheet with two Filo sheets, brush with oil then add another two sheets. Repeat until you’ve used half of the Filo sheets.
- Next, spread the filling equally over the Filo sheets and top it with the feta cheese. Then add two Filo sheets and brush them with oil.
- Repeat until all the Filo sheets are used. Now, cut the Spanakopita into squares then pour the milk mixture over it.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, sever warm.
Notes
- I recommend putting the Filo sheets between two clean kitchen towels, so they don’t get too dry while assembling the pie.
- You can replace the oil with melted butter if you prefer.
- You may add a pinch of dry basil, thyme or sage to the beef.
- You can replace beef with minced chicken or skip adding any protein and make the traditional version of this spinach pie.
Nutrition
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Nicole
Can the minced beef be replaced with finely chopped mushrooms? Thanks!
Radwa
Yes, you can use mushrooms instead of minced beef.