Description
This Spanakopita Spiral is a delicious Greek-inspired savory pastry featuring a flavorful spinach and mixed cheese filling wrapped in crisp, golden filo pastry. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, it combines the earthiness of spinach with creamy goat, feta, and cheddar cheeses, accented with pine nuts and fresh herbs, baked to crispy perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 – 1½ lbs Spinach
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 large Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup Parsley, chopped
Cheeses & Dairy
- ½ cup Goat cheese (cream or feta)
- 1½ cups Feta cheese
- ½ cup Cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg, beaten
Pantry
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper powder
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- ½ cup Pine nuts, toasted
- ⅛ tsp Nutmeg, pinch
- 16 sheets Filo pastry
- ½ cup Olive oil (or melted butter)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5). Thaw and drain the spinach thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until translucent and aromatic. Add spinach, cooking until wilted, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, and add lemon juice. Increase heat to high and cook until all liquid evaporates.
- Mix Filling: Transfer the cooked spinach mixture to a large bowl and allow it to cool. Crumble in goat cheese, feta, and cheddar. Add beaten egg, chopped parsley, pine nuts, nutmeg, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir together until well combined.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Brush the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan or 9×13 baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Spanakopita Spirals: Lay two layers of filo pastry on your work surface; brush with melted butter or olive oil. Spread approximately four tablespoons of the spinach filling evenly over the top layer, leaving a 2-inch border all around. Carefully roll the filo and filling into a long tube starting from one end.
- Shape Into Coil: Place the rolled pastry into the prepared pan and coil it in the center. Repeat the rolling and coiling process with remaining filling and filo, arranging the spirals from the center outward. Tuck any excess filo dough around the edges neatly.
- Brush With Oil: Generously brush the top of the assembled spanakopita with olive oil to promote a golden, crispy crust during baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the spanakopita to cool for several minutes. Cut into squares or triangles before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to thoroughly drain the spinach to prevent soggy pastry.
- Use a mix of cheeses for authentic depth of flavor.
- Be gentle when handling filo pastry to avoid tearing.
- To save time, prepare filling ahead and refrigerate.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature, ideal for parties or family meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: spanakopita, spinach pie, Greek pastry, filo pastry, spinach and cheese, savory spiral, vegetarian Greek recipe
