This Greek-inspired spinach cheesy pie with crispy filo pastry would make a tasty family meal. Try serving it with a fresh salad or roast veg for an easy dinner.

Serves:  4 – 6
Prep: 25 mins Cook: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 1 onion
• 1 leek, or 3 sticks celery, optional
• extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons crushed garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 big bunch spinach or silverbeet
• 375g ricotta
• ⅓ cup feta, optional
• ⅓ cup parmesan
• ½ cup grated tasty cheese (do 1 full cup if not using feta)
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 eggs
• 12 sheets filo pastry
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional

Directions

1. Finely dice the onion and leek/celery
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan on medium heat
3. Add onion, leek/celery and crushed garlic to the pan and cook for 5 mins, or until softened and slightly browned
4. Wash and roughly chop spinach/silverbeet
5. Add chopped spinach/silverbeet to the pan and cook until wilted, about 5 mins
6. Turn off heat and allow to cool slightly
7. Preheat oven to 180°C
8. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, feta (if using), parmesan, tasty cheese, nutmeg and eggs
9. Add the spinach mixture into the cheese mixture and stir until combined
10. Into a large rectangular baking dish, carefully add one sheet of filo pastry
11. Drizzle a little olive oil over the filo pastry
12. Add another layer of filo
13. Repeat steps 10 to 12 until you have 6 layers of filo pastry
14. Add all of the spinach and cheese filling onto the pastry and spread evenly across the baking dish
15. Repeat layering filo pastry and drizzling oil until you have another 6 sheets of filo pastry
16. Fold over any overhanging filo pastry into the baking tray and drizzle olive oil over the top
17. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional)
18. Bake for 45 mins in the oven or until crispy on top

Notes

The spinach or silverbeet could be swapped for other leafy greens such as kale if desired.

This pie would also be delicious with other additions including sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and cooked bacon.

Serve the pie hot or cold.