🫒 Mediterranean · Main · Medium difficulty · Vegetarian
Cheese Spanakopita
A hearty Mediterranean main built around cheese, seasoned with spinach and feta.
- Prep time
- 18 min
- Cook time
- 42 min
- Total time
- 1h
- Servings
- 6
- Calories
- 536 kcal
- Protein
- 20 g
- Carbs
- 29 g
- Fat
- 38 g
- Course
- Main
About this Mediterranean baked dish
Cheese Spanakopita is a Mediterranean main built around cheese. It takes about 1h from start to finish, 18 minutes of prep and 42 minutes of cooking, and serves 6.
Cooking method: baked dish. Difficulty is rated medium. Vegetarian.
Good for: meal prep, party & sharing, comfort food.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 6 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 250 g cheese, sliced or crumbled
- 300 g spinach
- 200 g feta
- 1 onion
- 10 sheets filo pastry
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F) and grease a baking dish.
- Heat
- Oven to temperature (about 10-15 minutes)
- Look for
- The oil shimmers and flows like water; a drop of water sizzles instantly.
- Why it matters
- Food added to a properly hot pan sears and browns instead of steaming and sticking.
- Avoid
- Adding food to a cold pan: it sticks, turns grey and soaks up oil.
Step 2. Season the cheese and brown briefly in a hot pan with a little oil, about 5 minutes.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 3. Combine with the spinach, feta and onion in the dish and mix well.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 4. Top with the sheets filo pastry and olive oil.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 5. Bake for 34 minutes until bubbling and golden on top.
- Heat
- Oven at the stated temperature (check with a thermometer if you can)
- Look for
- Bubbling edges, a golden top and a rich baked smell.
- Why it matters
- Gentle, steady heat softens tough fibres and lets flavours blend without drying things out.
- Avoid
- Opening the oven door repeatedly drops the temperature. Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too fast.
Step 6. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Heat
- Off, let it sit
- Look for
- Steam slows, juices settle and the dish firms up slightly.
- Why it matters
- Resting lets juices redistribute and flavours settle, and the food is easier to slice and eat.
- Avoid
- Skipping the rest: juices run out and the dish falls apart.
Chef's tip
Resting lets the layers set for clean slices.
Equipment you will need
- Oven
- Baking dish
- Mixing bowl
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 536 kcal, 20 g protein, 29 g carbohydrate and 38 g fat. Roughly 15% of the energy comes from protein, 22% from carbohydrate and 64% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Cheese Spanakopita
Substitutions and variations
- Cover with foil for the first half of baking to stop the top browning too fast.
- Use Greek yogurt in place of cream for a lighter topping; stir it in off the heat to avoid curdling.
- Check doneness with a skewer or thermometer rather than relying on time alone.
Frequently asked questions about Cheese Spanakopita
How long does Cheese Spanakopita take to make?
It takes about 1h in total: 18 minutes of prep and 42 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 536 kcal, with 20 g protein, 29 g carbohydrate and 38 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 6 servings.
Is Cheese Spanakopita gluten-free?
It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.
Can I make Cheese Spanakopita ahead or freeze it?
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Most baked and saucy dishes freeze well for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing crisp items and salads.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 6 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.