Layered Spanakopita with Spinach and Feta in Phyllo Pastry
A savory Greek pie featuring spinach, feta cheese, and herbs layered between crisp, buttery phyllo sheets. This greek-inspired vegetarian ready in about 70 minutes pairs fresh spinach, chopped, feta cheese, crumbled, medium onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh spinach, chopped
- 8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 12 sheets phyllo dough sheets
- 6 tbsp butter, melted
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb chopped fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until wilted and excess moisture evaporates. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooked spinach mixture, 8 oz crumbled feta cheese, 2 beaten eggs, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Brush a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tbsp melted butter. Layer 6 sheets of phyllo dough in the dish, brushing each sheet lightly with melted butter (about 4 tbsp total) before adding the next.
- Step 5: Spread the spinach and feta mixture evenly over the layered phyllo. Cover with the remaining 6 phyllo sheets, brushing each with the remaining 2 tbsp melted butter.
- Step 6: Using a sharp knife, score the top layers of phyllo into squares or diamonds to make cutting easier after baking.
- Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the phyllo is golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Layered Spanakopita with Spinach and Feta in Phyllo Pastry take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Layered Spanakopita with Spinach and Feta in Phyllo Pastry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh spinach, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Layered Spanakopita with Spinach and Feta in Phyllo Pastry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Layered Spanakopita with Spinach and Feta in Phyllo Pastry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Layered Spanakopita with Spinach and Feta in Phyllo Pastry?
Greek vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.