Skillet Spanakopita is an easy way to prepare this Greek vegetarian classic. Also known as Greek Spinach and Feta Pie, layers of flaky, buttery phyllo pastry envelope a savory, seasoned spinach and cheese combination for an impressive dish you'll be proud to serve!
Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
Hey, all! Sharing Skillet Spanakopita, the easiest way I've found to prepare this classic Greek vegetarian dish otherwise known as Greek spinach and feta pie.
Back when I was a vegetarian all those years ago, this was my go-to in Greek restaurants. I've made it several times since then, but found the two levels of phyllo (one on the bottom and one on the top) in the traditional preparation of a spinach and feta pie to be on the "picky" side.
Making this dish in a cast iron skillet cuts the picky phyllo process in half and I think it looks pretty to boot!
What is Spanakopita?
Spanakopita (pronounced span-ah-KO-pi-ta) is a savory Greek spinach and cheese pie made with phyllo (also fillo or filo) dough. Feta is the cheese most often used, but other cheeses such as kefalotiri may be used.
The filling also has onions, fresh herbs, other seasonings and eggs bind the entire combination together.
How to Make Skillet Spanakopita (Greek Spinach and Feta Pie):
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make a skillet spanikopita recipe along with how to prep. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.
Ingredient Notes:
- Frozen Chopped Spinach: Frozen chopped spinach is a great inexpensive convenience item. The main advantage is it's already cooked so you can get a good idea of what your spinach end-game amount will be. (It's hard to tell with fresh spinach.). Be sure to squeeze as much moisture as possible from the thawed spinach. Nothing beats good old elbow grease. You can also use fresh spinach, but it has a lot of water in it so you'll need to drain it well.
- Fresh Dill: Nothing beats the flavor of fresh dill, but you can use dried dill if you need to.
- Phyllo / Fillo / Filo: Phyllo, also known as fillo or filo, means "leaf" in Greek and is a tissue-thin unleavened dough made with flour, water and a small amount of oil. The sheets of phyllo are brushed with oil or melted butter, layered and baked. Making it yourself is very labor-intensive but no worries! Great frozen phyllo dough can be purchased. You'll find it in the frozen desserts section. Because it's so thin, phyllo dough can dry out quickly so it's important to work quickly or keep it covered with a lightly damp towel.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Gather and prep the ingredients:
- Squeeze as much moisture as possible from the thawed spinach.
- Cook the onions in olive oil and butter until soft and turning golden.
- Add the garlic and the spinach and cook briefly.
- Transfer that to a mixing bowl and let cool slightly, then add the remaining ingredients except for the Parmesan and the phyllo.
- Give that a good stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Give the skillet a generous brushing of olive oil.
- Start preparing the phyllo crust. Melt the remaining butter, place a sheet of phyllo on a work surface, brush it with the melted butter and place it horizontally in a prepared cast iron skillet.
- Don't worry if it tears; more layers will be going on top in alternating directions so any tears will be covered up.
- Continue the layering process, brushing each layer with melted butter (you don't need to saturate, just give it a decent brushing).
- The next layer should be the opposite direction (perpendicular), the third at a 45-degree angle, the fourth at a 45-degree angle the opposite direction. Repeat with the other four pieces.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the bottom of the crust. This places a barrier between the filling and the crust to prevent the crust from getting soggy.
- Top with the spinach-feta-egg combination...
- Fold the phyllo dough overhang up and over the filling.
- Dab on a little olive oil or any remaining butter...
- And bake!
- That's it! Skillet Spanikopita or Greek Spinach and Feta Pie! Cut into wedges and serve!
- Serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Let's eat!
Chef Tip:
- As mentioned earlier, phyllo is paper thin and will tear when you are working with it. For best results, place phyllo dough sheets between two slightly damp kitchen towels and work quickly when brushing it with butter. And don't skimp on the butter!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Overall, spanakopita has a lot of vitamins and minerals because of the spinach and cheese. It's high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium.
Unless you're using an enamel cast iron skillet, I don't recommend making the spanakopita ahead of time.
What to serve with Spanikopita:
- Mediterranean Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes
- Roasted Green Beans with Tomato Caper Relish
- Moroccan-Spiced Caponata
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Chickpeas
- Creamy Cucumber Salad with Yogurt
- Greek Village Salad with Marinated Feta Cheese
- Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
More easy vegetarian recipes you'll love!
Get all my vegetarian, vegan and meatless recipes at: Vegetarian / Vegan Entrees - From A Chef's Kitchen
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Skillet Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Feta Pie)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil - plus more for brushing the skillet
- 1 stick unsalted butter - divided
- 1 medium onion - finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 3 boxes (10-ounce each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of excess moisture
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill - or 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes - or to taste
- 1 ½ cups crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 sheets phyllo dough - (fillo dough) thawed
- Lemon wedges - for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Melt 6 tablespoons of the butter in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook for 5-7 minutes or until softened and starting to turn golden.
- Add the garlic and the spinach. Cook 1-2 minutes or until garlic is fragrant.
- Transfer to a bowl and let cool for 10 minutes. Add the eggs, dill, salt, crushed red pepper flakes and feta cheese.
- Wipe out the skillet and generously brush the skillet with olive oil.
- Place a sheet of the phyllo dough on a work surface. Lightly brush a sheet of the phyllo dough with the melted butter and place it horizontally in the skillet. Gently work the phyllo into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
- Brush the second piece of phyllo with melted butter and place it perpendicular to the first.
- Repeat with the remaining pieces of phyllo, placing the third at a 45-degree angle, the fourth at a 45-degree angle the opposite direction until all 8 sheets have been used.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the bottom of the crust. Spoon the spinach filling over the cheese.
- Fold the overhanging edges of phyllo over the filling and toward the center of the pan.
- Brush the top edges with any remaining butter or olive oil.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the center is firm and the crust is golden brown.
- Serve warm with lemon wedges if desired.
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Tim says
I’ve been making this for a while now. It’s delicious and nutritious and looks pretty cool to boot. I’ll throw in other interesting greens sometimes (like beet greens) after wilting and chopping. Also, have been known to add cottage cheese (apologies to anyone of Greek descent) as it bumps up the protein quotient, makes it a little lighter in texture, and it’s something my mom used to do 🙂
Carol says
Hi, Tim, Thanks so much and so happy you enjoy this recipe and have made it your own. Love that you added other greens and love the idea of the cottage cheese. Thanks again!
Molly Schiff says
We can hardly wait to try this! Very explicit instructions. However, my friend with whom I cook, is a "cooking purist" and really doesn't like to use frozen spinach in his dishes. Can we use FRESH spinach from the produce department and cook it until well wilted? THANK YOU!!
Carol says
Hi, Molly, Thanks so much for your question. Yes, you absolutely can! However, remember that with fresh spinach, you will need a lot. I haven't tested this with fresh spinach, so I can't tell you how much. Also, you'll need to drain it really well. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
Linda Frasch says
Can you prepare ahead, freeze and bake a few days later??
Carol says
Hi, Linda, Thanks so much for your question. Yes, definitely freeze BEFORE baking and use something besides cast iron like a round baking dish. Wrap it tightly. You can even bake it from frozen--just add some additional time. Keep an eye on the phyllo so it doesn't get overly browned, however. Thanks again and let me know how it goes!
Kaye says
... but serves only 4 at our house.
Kaye says
There was some general puzzlement and joking in our kitchen about why and how that second layer of filo vertically. I expect you meant to place it perpendicular to the first layer, at least that's what we did. 🙂
Not having a 10" skillet, I used my 9" one. No problem at all. The gap in the center wasn't as big, but that's not really a problem.
I love making the spanikopita in my skillet. Easy to clean, and actually not a bad presentation.
Carol says
Hi, Kaye, Ha! Yes, I meant perpendicular. Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed!
Angela says
This looks AMAZING! Seriously can't wait to try it Carol, thanks so much for another great recipe!!
Carol says
Thank you so much, Angela! Hope you enjoy!