Authentic Spanakopita Recipe (Spinach Pie)

I was wondering what Spanakopita means. In Greek, Spanakopita means spinach pie. It is an authentic Greek healthy pie with fresh spinach, onion, egg, and feta cheese, and it is AMAZING!

Spanakopita

I twisted the original spanakopita 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

• Spinach: I highly recommend using fresh spinach.
• Onion & garlic
• Minced beef
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Olive oil
• Filo pastry
• Seasonings: I use only salt & ground black pepper.
• Eggs
• Milk: I use whole milk.

How to make Authentic Spanakopita (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/380F.
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

More Greek Recipes

• Tiropita Greek Cheese Pie
• Galaktoboureko - Greek Custard Pie
• Moussaka (Musaka) Greek Recipe
• Ekmek Kataifi - Greek Dessert Recipe
• Gyro Bread - Greek Pita Bread
• Bougatsa - Greek Filo Custard Pie

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