Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (2024)

by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

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This Spanakopita Quesadilla is really easy to make and has a ton of delicious flavor. This recipe makes a light, healthy, and oh-so-tasty lunch that you are going to love!

Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (1)

I love spinach. And I love Greek food. Recently, I was craving some Spanakopita (traditional Greek spinach pie), but hadn't had a chance to pick up somephyllo dough. And then it occurredto me that I had some flour tortillas on hand. And I happened to have some spinach in the refrigerator, too… Thus, these Spanakopita Quesadillas were born.

Greek cuisine is wonderful. Bright and exciting flavors mix with fresh herbs and strongly-flavored cheeses. Everything melds together into the perfect taste and texture, which is why these Spanakopita Quesadillas are a must-try. Let's look at what you'll need to make your own.

Video Tutorial

Main Ingredients

  • Spinach. The star of the show 🙂
  • Onion and Garlic. The flavor infusers.
  • Olive Oil and Butter. You can use one or the other, or both.
  • Egg. Large size.
  • Feta Cheese. Feta works best, but other kinds can be used as well.
  • Parmesan. Brings an extra flavor to the filling.
  • Dill. Adds a special flavor, I suggest not skipping this one.
  • Flour tortillas. These fold better than corn tortillas.
  • Salt & Pepper. To taste.

How to Make it

1. Saute the onion in olive oil and butter over medium heat, for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and spinach, and saute for another 3-4 minutes. Add the salt and pepper to taste.

2. Transfer the spinach into a metal mesh strainer, and with the help of a spoon, squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Set aside and let it cool.

3. In the meantime, prepare the egg mixture by whisking the egg, feta, Parmesan, and dill together.

4. Add the spinach to the egg mixture. Stir well.

Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (5)

5. Divide the filling into 4 parts. Spread a quarter of the filling onto one half of the tortilla and then fold the other half over, making a half moon. Repeat with the rest of the filling and tortillas. Fry them in an ungreased frying pan over low heat for 4 minutes on each side.

Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (6)

6. Serve these Spanakopita Quesadillas with yogurt, tzatziki sauce, or sour cream.

Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (7)

Tips for the best Spanakopita Quesadilla

  • Choose feta that is sold in a block. When buying feta cheese, try to find the kind that is sold as a block, not the crumbled kind. The difference in taste is noticeable.
  • Don't skip the dill. Dill has a fresh, citrusy taste and earthy notes that pair perfectly with the spinach and garlic in this Spanakopita Quesadilla. It adds a lot of flavor, so try to include it.
  • Squeeze out the liquid in the spinach. Cooked spinach has a lot of water in it, so do your best to squeeze as much out as possible to keep your filling thick and sturdy, and not runny.

Variations to this Recipe

  • Make them gluten-free. Substitute the flour tortilla with the gluten-free version. But avoid corn tortillas because they are less flexible and have a stronger flavor.
  • Add some meat. Try adding ground beef, shredded chicken, lamb, or pork to the filling.
  • Use a substitute for feta cheese. Instead of feta, you could also use goat cheese, queso fresco, or ricotta in these Spanakopita Quesadillas.
  • Add some other veggies. Mushrooms, asparagus, peas, Swiss chard, or leeks would all work here.
  • Substitute other herbs. Besides the dill, you could also enjoy these quesadillas with some mint, oregano, or marjoram.

How to Store and Reheat it

You can store any leftover Spanakopita Quesadilla in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. It can be served hot or cold, but if you are reheating it, there is no need to thaw it first. Just heat it in the oven until warmed through.

What to Serve this Quesadilla with

On its own. These Spanakopita Quesadillas taste delicious enough to be enjoyed alone.

With a dip. You can't go wrong with adding a dipping sauce. Try them with Greek yogurt, Tzatziki Sauce, or sour cream.

Alongside a protein. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast and Salmon in Creamy Sauce are both great main dishes to serve with these quesadillas.

With a salad or soup. This Greek Chicken Lemon Soup is amazing, or you can serve some Chickpea Salad with them.

Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (8)

I hope you love these amazing Spanakopita Quesadillas as much as I do. So flavorful and easy to make, they're perfect for dinner, lunch, or even a snack.

More tasty recipes to try:

  • Spanakopita (Traditional Greek Spinach Pie)
  • Spinach Rice
  • Bulgarian Feta Pie "Banitsa"
  • Borek - Crispy Turkish Cheese Pastry

Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (9)

Spanakopita Quesadilla

Tania Sheff

ThisSpanakopita Quesadillais really easy to make and has a ton of delicious flavor. This recipe makes a light, healthy, and oh-so-tasty lunch that you are going to love!

4.43 from 54 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 229 kcal

Ingredients

Main ingredients

  • 4 flour tortillas about 7 inches in diameter
  • ¼ white onion diced
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic diced
  • 7 cups spinach chopped
  • to taste salt and pepper

Egg mixture

Instructions

  • Saute the onion in olive oil and butter on medium heat, for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and spinach and saute for another 3-4 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Transfer spinach onto the plate, and place in a cold place for a few minutes.

  • Meanwhile, prepare the egg mixture by whisking the rest of the ingredients together.

  • Now, it's time to remove extra liquid from spinach. Simply take a handful of spinach, and try to squeeze the juices out with your hands. Transfer dry spinach into another bowl.

  • Add egg mixture to the spinach. Stir. Divide the filling into 4 parts. Spread ¼ of the filling onto a half of tortilla and fold the other half over. Fry on ungreased frying pan, on low heat for 4 minutes on each side.

  • Serve with yogurt, tzatziki sauce or sour cream.

Notes

Tips for the best Spanakopita Quesadilla

  • Choose feta that is sold in a block.When buying feta cheese, try to find the kind that is sold as a block, not the crumbled kind. The difference in taste is noticeable.
  • Don't skip the dill.Dill has a fresh, citrusy taste and earthy notes that pair perfectly with the spinach and garlic in this Spanakopita Quesadilla. It adds a lot of flavor, so try to include it.
  • Squeeze out the liquid in the spinach.Cooked spinach has a lot of water in it, so do your best to squeeze as much out as possible to keep your filling thick and sturdy, and not runny.

Variations to this Recipe

  • Make them gluten-free.Substitute the flour tortilla with the gluten-free version. But avoid corn tortillas because they are less flexible and have a stronger flavor.
  • Add some meat.Try adding ground beef, shredded chicken, lamb, or pork to the filling.
  • Use a substitute for feta cheese.Instead of feta, you could also use goat cheese, queso fresco, or ricotta in these Spanakopita Quesadillas.
  • Add some other veggies.Mushrooms, asparagus, peas, Swiss chard, or leeks would all work here.
  • Substitute other herbs.Besides the dill, you could also enjoy these quesadillas with some mint, oregano, or marjoram.

Nutrition

Calories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 9gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 495mgPotassium: 401mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5385IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 3mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below, I can't wait to hear from you!

Spanakopita Quesadilla Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my spanakopita soggy? ›

Let's face it, nobody wants to eat a soggy spanakopita. But this doesn't have to be your fate if you follow a few simple tips. Firstly, making sure you squeeze all the excess moisture out of your spinach. This is the case with fresh and frozen spinach.

What dough is spanakopita made of? ›

Spanakopita is a delicious savory Greek pie made of perfectly crispy layers of phyllo dough and a comforting filling of spinach and feta cheese. I'm sharing my family's favorite spanakopita recipe, complete with tips, video, and step-by-step photos.

Why is spanakopita healthy? ›

Spanakopita is a Greek spinach pie typically containing cheese such as feta and/or ricotta. Our version is low in calories while high in fibre, iron and calcium. It's also diabetes-friendly and suitable for vegetarians.

What is the best quesadilla melting cheese? ›

Sometimes the best cheese for quesadillas is whatever you have in the fridge when the craving strikes. Cheddar and Monterey Jack are standards of American-style quesadillas. But if you are planning ahead, consider that freshly grated cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack makes the meltiest quesadillas.

What is the difference between puff pastry and phyllo spanakopita? ›

The main differences between puff pastry and phyllo dough are their fat content and preparation. Puff pastry is a laminated dough that gets its signature airy puff from layers of butter, while phyllo dough is comparatively low-fat. Phyllo dough is mostly flour and water and can dry out easily.

How do you keep phyllo crispy? ›

To achieve a crispy and light texture with phyllo dough, make sure to brush each layer with melted butter or oil. Additionally, avoid overloading the layers with too much filling, as this can contribute to a soggy result. Bake at the recommended temperature, and keep a close eye on it to prevent over-browning.

What's the difference between spanakopita and tiropita? ›

The difference between a spanakopita and tiropita is that spanakopita includes spinach and feta (sometimes only spinach) whereas tiropita only has cheese in its filling. And while it is a popular street-food it is also a popular dish people make at home.

What goes good with spanakopita? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Spanakopita are Greek salad, Tzatziki, hummus, Greek yogurt, cheese dip, southwest salad dressing, falafel, roasted vegetables, lemon roasted potatoes, Greek rice, Mediterranean quinoa salad, and orzo salad.

Where is Aldi spanakopita made? ›

“I'm going to share a little secret with you,” Merna explains in the video. “It's this spanakopita from Aldi and it's made in Greece. Found in the freezer aisle, Merna said the product was so easy to make into a delicious meal in just 40 minutes.

How unhealthy is filo pastry? ›

Even better, switch your pastry from shortcrust or puff to filo. This is the lowest-fat pastry by far, with 2.9g fat per 100g. This compares with 26.2g for puff or 31.4g for shortcrust. Filo is the lowest-calorie option too, and it's easy to use.

Do they eat spanakopita in Greece? ›

Spanakopita is one of Greece's signature dishes. It is ubiquitous all over the country, but some of the most famous versions come from the northwestern region of Epirus.

What is a substitute for feta in spanakopita? ›

The Best Feta Substitutes – Dairy
  • Halloumi. While the texture of halloumi is slightly softer and less crumbly, it provides a similar substance and salty kick to feta.
  • Persian Feta. ...
  • Goats Cheese. ...
  • Labneh. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Cottage Cheese. ...
  • Ricotta.

What cheese do Mexican restaurants use for quesadillas? ›

Traditional Mexican cheeses like Oaxaca cheese or Chihuahua cheese are commonly used in quesadillas because they melt easily and have a mild, slightly salty flavor. Other cheese options include Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and mozzarella.

What tortilla is best for quesadilla? ›

Plus, corn tortillas are whole-grain, meaning that they are a decent source of fiber, which makes quesadillas slightly healthier than they otherwise would be. Two: You should not put too much cheese (or anything else) in your quesadillas.

What are good things to put in a quesadilla? ›

What toppings go in a quesadilla?
  • Southwestern: Fill your quesadilla with black beans, chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes, corn, cilantro and pepper jack cheese. ...
  • Mediterranean: Load your quesadilla up with a blend of chopped spinach, red onions, Kalamata olives, feta cheese crumbles and mozzarella cheese.
Aug 16, 2023

Why is my spinach pie watery? ›

The key to the filling is to remove as much water from the spinach as you can so it doesn't make the pastry base soggy. We do not cook the spinach – the filling flavour is better made with raw rather than cooked spinach.

How do you keep phyllo shells from getting soggy? ›

The air circulating underneath the phyllo will prevent them from becoming soggy. Keep phyllo cups on a wire rack until ready to serve. If you've got extra phyllo to use up and are looking for another appetizer idea, check out these cute little fig and goat cheese bites!

How do you moisten dry phyllo? ›

Phyllo dough dries out super fast. Lay a damp (NOT wet) kitchen towel over the phyllo sheets while you are putting together your recipe. Make sure the towel is just slightly damp, enough to give the phyllo dough a little moisture so it doesn't dry out.

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