Easy Spanakopita Pasta: A Greek-Inspired Weeknight Delight

Imagine the beloved flavors of a classic Greek spanakopita—the savory feta, the earthy spinach, and the bright notes of dill and lemon—all tossed together with your favorite pasta. This Spanakopita Pasta recipe captures that delightful essence in a quick and incredibly easy weeknight meal. It’s a vibrant, satisfying dish that comes together in the time it takes to boil water, transforming simple ingredients into a truly memorable dinner. Perfect for when you’re craving something comforting yet fresh, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 12 oz (340g) short pasta, such as fusilli, penne, or orecchiette
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 10 oz (280g) fresh spinach
• 6 oz (170g) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• Salt to taste
• Optional: Pinch of nutmeg or red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in batches. Stir continuously until all the spinach has wilted, which should take about 3-4 minutes. If using, stir in the optional pinch of nutmeg or red pepper flakes.
4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the crumbled feta, Greek yogurt, chopped dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with black pepper. The residual heat will help melt the feta slightly and create a creamy sauce.
5. Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the spinach and feta sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated.
6. Add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. The starch in the water will help the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add salt if needed (be mindful that feta is already salty). Serve immediately, garnished with a little extra dill or feta if desired.

Nutritional Information

The following is an estimate for one serving (recipe makes 4 servings).