Best 8 Lamb And Spinach Spanakopita Recipes

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Lamb and spinach spanakopita is a traditional Greek dish that combines the flavors of succulent lamb, fresh spinach, and creamy feta cheese encased in layers of crispy phyllo pastry. Whether you are a seasoned cook looking to expand your culinary repertoire or a novice seeking a new and delicious dish to impress your family and friends, this guide will provide you with all the essential information and tips to create the perfect lamb and spinach spanakopita. From selecting the right ingredients to mastering the art of folding and baking the phyllo pastry, we will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring that you end up with a golden brown, flaky spanakopita bursting with flavor.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

LAMB & SPINACH SPANAKOPITA



Lamb & spinach spanakopita image

Make this stunning spanakopita - 'spinach pie'. Traditionally made with filo pastry, feta and spinach, here we've added lamb, slow-cooked in stock

Provided by Esther Clark

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper

Time 3h35m

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 tbsp olive oil
800g lamb neck or shoulder, cut into chunks
500ml lamb or chicken stock
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp butter
1 onion , finely sliced
2 garlic cloves , crushed
1 tsp ground coriander
1 heaped tbsp ground cumin
1 heaped tsp ground cinnamon
500g spinach
150g feta , crumbled
1⁄2 small bunch of mint , leaves picked and finely chopped
2 tbsp pine nuts , toasted
1 egg , lightly beaten
100g butter , melted
270g filo pastry
2 tbsp sesame seeds

Steps:

  • Heat half the oil in a casserole pot over a medium-high heat and fry the lamb for 5-7 mins, or until deep brown all over. Cover with the stock, then add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 11/2 hrs, or until the lamb is tender and falling apart.
  • Heat the remaining oil and the butter in a frying pan, then fry the onions with a large pinch of salt for 15-20 mins, or until golden and sticky. Add the garlic and spices, and cook for 3 mins more. Remove the lamb from its stewing liquid (reserving the liquid), transfer to a chopping board and shred using two forks. Stir the shredded meat into the onion mixture, along with 50ml of the reserved liquid.
  • Put the spinach in a pan with 1 tbsp water, and cook for 3-4 mins, or until wilted. Wrap in a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess liquid, or put in a fine sieve and press it out using the back of a wooden spoon. Roughly chop the spinach, then stir into the lamb and onion mixture along with the feta, mint, pine nuts and egg. Season.
  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, and brush a 22cm round springform cake tin with some of the melted butter. Layer four sheets of filo pastry across the tin, then brush with more melted butter. Spoon in the filling, and fold the overhanging pastry over the top. Scrunch up the remaining pastry sheets, put on top of the pie, and brush with the remaining melted butter. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Bake for 45-50 mins, or until golden and crisp. Will keep in the fridge for up to up to two days.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 784 calories, Fat 55 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 29 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 3 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 41 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium

SPANIKOPITA



Spanikopita image

Phyllo dough and frozen spinach makes this Greek-inspired dish a breeze.

Provided by SnappySpoons

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Pastries

Time 1h10m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat phyllo dough
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Mix the spinach, feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt in a bowl.
  • Arrange one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean work surface and brush with melted butter. Cover the remaining phyllo dough with a damp towel. Place a second sheet of phyllo on top and brush with butter, then place a third sheet on top. Cut the buttered phyllo lengthwise into four strips.
  • Place about 1 tablespoon of the spinach mixture on the bottom of each strip. Take the bottom right corner and fold the dough over the filling to make a triangle. Fold the bottom left corner up to make another triangle. Continue folding until all the dough is folded. Arrange the stuffed triangles, seam-side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush the triangle with butter. Repeat with the remaining phyllo dough and spinach filling.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 182.8 calories, Carbohydrate 19.9 g, Cholesterol 25.5 mg, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 6.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 387.6 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

GREEK SPINACH BAKE



Greek Spinach Bake image

Spanakopita is the Greek name for this traditional dish featuring spinach and feta cheese. You can serve it as a side dish or meatless main dish. My dad and I used to fight over the last piece. -Sharon Olney, Galt, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Side Dishes

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups 4% cottage cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
8 ounces crumbled feta cheese
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, spinach and feta cheese. Stir in the flour, pepper and salt. Add eggs and mix well. , Spoon into a greased 9-in. square baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 160°, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 262 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 178mg cholesterol, Sodium 838mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)



Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) image

This is an authentic, really rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses and herbs that are all enfolded by crispy, flaky phyllo dough.

Provided by SILVERWOLF

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 1h30m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds spinach, rinsed and chopped
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup ricotta cheese
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
8 sheets phyllo dough
¼ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan. Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 494.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 100.3 mg, Fat 34.7 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 11.5 g, Sodium 893.9 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH PIE) BY INA GARTEN



Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) by Ina Garten image

As the title suggests, this is really Ina's recipe...I've made some small changes, but they don't change that fact. The biggest change I made was using fresh spinach, but frozen spinach can be substituted if desired.

Provided by Late Night Gourmet

Categories     Spinach

Time 1h25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups red onions, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
20 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
4 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg, grated
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
6 ounces feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup light butter, melted
6 sheets phyllo dough, defrosted

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • In a medium saute pan on medium heat, saute the onions with the olive oil until translucent and slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the salt and pepper and allow to cool slightly.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach and stir to ensure that all of it is covered in the water. Boil until the spinach turns a bright green color, about 1 minute, then drain. Squeeze out and discard as much of the liquid from the spinach as possible.
  • Pulse the pine nuts in a food processor if desired. Gently mix the spinach with the onions, eggs, nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, feta, and pine nuts.
  • Butter a casserole pan and lay a sheet of phyllo dough sideways so it hangs over the sides. Place a damp cloth over the remaining sheets of phyllo dough so they don't dry out. Brush the part of the phyllo dough that's in the pan with butter, then press another sheet over the top of it in the same way. Continue alternating sheets of phyllo dough with butter until there are 6 sheets in the pan.
  • Pour the spinach mixture into the middle of the phyllo dough in the pan. Fold up the hanging edges of the first sheet of phyllo dough so it covers the spinach mixture, then brush with butter. Continue this pattern with the remaining sheets flaps until the spinach filling is sealed. Pinch together any open spots. Brush the rest of the butter over the top of the pastry.
  • Bake for 1 hour, until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289.2, Fat 19.4, SaturatedFat 8.3, Cholesterol 124.4, Sodium 964.5, Carbohydrate 17.7, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 3.5, Protein 12.9

SPINACH AND FETA SPANAKOPITA



Spinach and Feta Spanakopita image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h

Yield 25 to 30 triangles

Number Of Ingredients 9

One 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups crumbled feta cheese (about 8 ounces)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 large egg, beaten
10 phyllo sheets, thawed if frozen

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Thoroughly squeeze any excess water from the thawed spinach, removing as much liquid as possible. Coarsely chop.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and golden brown. Add the spinach and nutmeg, sauteing for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and mix in the feta, lemon juice, cracked black pepper and egg to thoroughly combine. Allow the filling to cool.
  • Melt the remaining butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Cool slightly. Cover the stack of phyllo sheets with a clean damp kitchen towel.
  • Working with the long side of the phyllo sheet nearest you, take 1 sheet from the stack and brush the entire surface with butter. Top with another phyllo sheet, brushing with more butter. Cut crosswise into five 2 1/2 to 3-inch strips.
  • Place 2 teaspoons filling in the corner of each strip. Just like you would fold a flag, fold the corner of phyllo over to enclose the filling, forming a triangle, and continue folding the entire strip. Ending with the seam-side down, place the triangles on a large baking sheet and brush the tops with butter.
  • Follow the same steps with the remaining ingredients.
  • Space evenly on a sheet tray and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.

DEEP DISH SPANAKOPITA



Deep Dish Spanakopita image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

500 grams frozen spinach (about two 9-ounce packages)
10 sheets frozen phyllo dough (about 280 grams/10 ounces)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 garlic clove, grated
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped dill
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 cups crumbled feta cheese (about 250 grams)
1 egg
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (75 grams)

Steps:

  • Defrost the spinach and phyllo dough in the fridge overnight.
  • For the filling, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened and lightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the parsley, dill, red pepper flakes, nutmeg and lemon zest. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Drain the spinach through a strainer lined with a clean kitchen towel or a few layers of sturdy paper towel. Gather the spinach up in the towel and squeeze out as much of the water as possible. Transfer to a bowl and add the lemon juice and feta. Stir in the cooled onion mixture and the egg.
  • Retrieve the phyllo from the fridge, unroll it and cover it with a clean kitchen towel to keep it from drying out. Place a 9-inch springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet and brush the bottom and sides lightly with butter. Lay out one sheet of phyllo, brush with butter and transfer it to the prepared pan. There is no need to be extra careful here - the phyllo might tear, crack or rumple up a bit but that just makes for more texture in the end result. Layer on two more buttered sheets of phyllo across the bottom of the pan.
  • Continue buttering the phyllo as before but begin placing the remaining sheets off-center around the pan so that their edges overlap in the center of the base and the other edge hangs over the sides, gently pressing along the bottom and up the sides to create a crust. Transfer the spinach filling into the phyllo crust and spread into an even layer.
  • Gather and fold the overhanging phyllo overtop of the edges of the spinach, leaving the center bit of spinach exposed. Brush the phyllo with remaining butter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan and serving.

SPANAKOPITA



Spanakopita image

Common all over Greece, stuffed phyllo pastries make a memorable meze, or appetizer. These small triangles are stuffed with feta and spinach. You might also see them stuffed with feta and herbs, or with lamb and spices and rolled into cigar shapes or tied like knots. Serve these pastries with a glass of ouzo over ice. Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Lifestyles Series, Small Plates, by

Provided by mielhollinger

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 30 triangles

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 lbs spinach, tough stems removed, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese or 1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped of fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt
fresh ground pepper
1/2 lb phyllo dough, thawed if frozen (20 sheets)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Steps:

  • Heat a large fry pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the spinach with only the rinsing water clinging to the leaves, cover and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
  • Drain well on paper towels, then squeeze out as much of the remaining liquid as possible.
  • Place in a large bowl and add the feta cheese, kefalotiri cheese, eggs, mint, and nutmeg.
  • Stir well to combine.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Preheat an oven to 375°F.
  • Lightly butter a baking sheet.
  • Cut the stack of phyllo sheets lengthwise into 3 equal strips.
  • Remove 1 strip and cover the remaining phyllo with a slightly dampened kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.
  • Place the strip on a work surface and brush lightly with melted butter.
  • Place another strip on top.
  • Brush the second strip lightly with melted butter.
  • Place a heaping teaspoonful of the filling about 1 inch in from the bottom of the strip.
  • Fold the uncovered end over the filling on the diagonal to form a triangular shape.
  • Bring the bottom of the triangle up against the straight edge.
  • Continue folding in this manner until the tip of the strip is reached, forming a triangular pastry.
  • Brush lightly with melted butter.
  • Place on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Repeat with the remaining phyllo and filling.
  • Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and transfer to a platter.
  • Serve immediately, warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84.9, Fat 5.9, SaturatedFat 3.4, Cholesterol 43, Sodium 148, Carbohydrate 5.2, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 0.5, Protein 3.1

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh spinach, feta cheese, and phyllo dough will give your spanakopita the best flavor.
  • Wilt the spinach thoroughly: This will remove excess moisture and prevent the spanakopita from becoming soggy.
  • Crumble the feta cheese: This will help it distribute evenly throughout the spanakopita.
  • Layer the phyllo dough carefully: Be sure to brush each sheet with olive oil before adding the next one. This will help the dough to stick together and prevent it from becoming dry.
  • Bake the spanakopita until it is golden brown: This will ensure that the phyllo dough is cooked through and the spanakopita is heated evenly.

Conclusion:

Spanakopita is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover spinach and feta cheese. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make spanakopita at home. So next time you are looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give spanakopita a try!

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