Simple Spanakopita Recipe with Mushrooms

This spanakopita recipe with ground chicken and mushrooms is the perfect dish for any occasion. It’s easy to make, delicious, and it will be loved by everyone who tries it! If you’re looking for a hearty meal that will satisfy your hunger, this is it! It’s perfect as a main course or as an appetizer to share at your next dinner party. You won't regret making this delicious spanakopita recipe!

Spanakoptia with Mushrooms

Jump to:

• Spanakoptia with Mushrooms
• Do I Have to Use Mushrooms?
• Is Spanakopita Vegetarian?
• What Do You Eat with Spanakopita?
• Is Spanakoptia Served Hot or Cold?
• Can I Use Another Ground Meat
• Ingredients
• Handy Kitchen Tools
• How to Make Spanakopita
• More Mediterranean Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Spanakopita is a traditional Greek dish consisting of spinach and feta cheese baked in flaky pastry. Traditional spanakopita recipes call for meat such as ground beef, pork or lamb to be added to the filling; but this version adds mushrooms for even more flavor. This easy spanakopita recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

We've made an appetizer version in the past with these Greek spinach and cheese parcels, but thought it was time to share a more traditional version here. In this recipe, we have used ground chicken instead of beef to make it just a bit healthier.

If you like Meditteranean flavors, you should check out my cookbook, Mediterranean Air Fryer: 95 Healthy Recipes to Fry, Roast, Bake, and Grill.

Do I Have to Use Mushrooms?

Traditionally, a spanakopita is made by adding ground meat, in this case, ground chicken, to the filling. Since mushrooms are known to add amazing flavor and protein, it seems natural to add them to this recipe.

However, if you don't like mushrooms, have an allergy, or just want to keep things simple, feel free to skip this part of the recipe. The filling will still be delicious and flavorful.

Is Spanakopita Vegetarian?

Using ground meat in Spanakoptia is part of a traditional recipe, using mushrooms is a great way to give you a vegetarian version of this Greek recipe.

You can make this vegetarian while keeping it filling by using just the mushrooms and skipping the meat. Another option is to replace the ground meat with your favorite meat replacement from brands like Gardein, Impossible, Beyond Meat, Morning Star Farms, or Field Roast.

To make it more filling, add more mushrooms and spinach to replace the bulk of the ground chicken. This can easily become a meatless Monday or everyday vegetarian recipe.

What Do You Eat with Spanakopita?

Spanakopita is often served as a main course or appetizer, so you can serve it with any side dish that complements its flavors. For example, spanakopita goes great with vegetables. The crunchiness of the vegetables really helps to balance the soft pastry and the smooth filling inside. We love this recipe for Parmesan zucchini as it fits with many different entrees including this one.

Spanakopita is traditionally served with tzatziki sauce on the side, but some people prefer it with a salad. A Greek salad or this Greek chickpea salad would be perfect to serve alongside this dinner dish.

Try serving this recipe with some crunchy bread rolls, fresh pita, or pita chips on the side to help soak up all the delicious juices of this delicious Greek food and dip into hummus or tzatziki on the side.

Is Spanakoptia Served Hot or Cold?

Spanakopita can be served hot or cold. It's traditionally eaten at room temperature rather than straight from the oven, so it's perfect for packing in a lunchbox! This makes it an excellent dish to bring along with you on picnics or days out because it requires no reheating.

However, a word of warning is that following food safety tips is definitely recommended. While it can and often is served at room temperature or cold, when making this dish, especially with meat, you may want to serve hot or bring it to a safe temperature before serving.

Can I Use Another Ground Meat

The spanakopita is a dish that many people enjoy and you can make the dish to your taste. It doesn't matter if you want to change the meat, add more spinach or other greens, or other herbs and vegetables. You can experiment to create the perfect dish for your tastes. Every family has its own unique addition, so why not make this yours too!

In my version, ground chicken is being used. You can, however, use other ground meats including ground pork, ground lamb, ground beef, or ground turkey. I have even seen some use a feta spinach chicken sausage in this recipe.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Spinach
• Ground chicken
• Garlic
• All-purpose flour
• Heavy cream
• Feta
• Phyllo pastry
• Unsalted butter

Handy Kitchen Tools

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking dish (oval 14" or 9"x13")
• Pastry brush

How to Make Spanakopita

Preheat the oven to 425°F and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray then set aside.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until just starting to become translucent.

Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring regularly, until the mushrooms and onions are golden brown and soft.

Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Add the ground chicken and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.

When the chicken is cooked through, add the spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted.

To the skillet, sprinkle the flour and stir to coat everything well.

Pour in the cream, and stir regularly for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cream is bubbling and almost boiling.

Reduce the heat and mix in the feta cheese, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes. Then remove from heat.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Brush each of the phyllo dough sheets with the melted butter.

Layer the phyllo on top of each other once they have been brushed with butter, then place over the top of the mixture in the baking dish. You will crumple them slightly creating pockets between the sheets to get crisp.

Brush the top of the phyllo with additional butter then bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes until golden on top.

More Mediterranean Recipes

Following the same region and flavor profile, below are some more great fresh and bright flavors from Greece and the Mediterranean. These can be paired with the spanakopita or served separately at different meals. Make sure you bookmark, pin, or print the recipes to add to your meal plan soon.

• Roasted Greek Chicken Thighs Recipe
• Flavor Packed Greek Moussaka Casserole
• 50 Mediterranean Diet Recipe Favorites
• Light and Easy Meditteranean Couscous Salad Recipe
• Easy Meditteranean Pasta Salad Recipe with Homemade Dressing