Spanakopita-Inspired Spinach Grilled Cheese at the Table

overhead image of spinach grilled cheese topped with extra sliced cheese

Spanakopita-Inspired Spinach Grilled Cheese combines all of the flavors of our mom’s classic spanakopita recipe with the ease of making a thick, savory grilled cheese. Whip up a big batch, and serve them on their own or with your go-to sides for an simple, hearty meal that both kids and adults will adore!

Why We Love This Spanakopita-Inspired Spinach Grilled Cheese

When the craving for warm, cheesy comfort food hit, this recipe seemed like a no-brainer. Made with a variety of rich cheeses and a silky spinach filling, it combines the finest of both worlds into one irresistible sandwich. The spanakopita flavors remind us of our childhood, and no one can ever say no to a good grilled cheese. Seriously, you need this recipe in your life. It’s:

So speedy to make
Filled with an ooey, gooey center
Perfectly crisp on the outside
Secretly full of veggies for a cozy meal you can feel good about

What Is Spanakopita?

If you’ve never had it, spanakopita is a popular Greek savory pie recipe. Typically, it is made with a crackly phyllo dough crust that is stuffed with a silky filling made up of spinach, feta cheese, garlic, and green onions. Some people also use puff pastry. A longtime go-to, we grew up eating our mom’s version in Egypt!

Very similar to the Greek recipe, our mom made her spanakopita using phyllo dough that had been soaked in a mixture of eggs and milk. As a result, it was extra crackly and super savory. You’ll even find versions stuffed with a meat filling, too!

cream cheese, spinach, mozzarella, and parmesan in a white bowl

overhead image of 4 slices of bread in the bottom of a baking dish topped with a spanakopita spinach filling

Ingredients You’ll Need

Using inspiration from our mom, we took all the spanakopita flavors and textures we still crave and recreated them with half the work in this spinach grilled cheese recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:

Bread – We love Country French Bread, but any thick, crusty bread will work.
Cream Cheese – This helps create the creamiest spinach grilled cheese you’ll ever taste.
Cheese – Unlike standard recipes that just use one type of cheese, a combination of feta, mozzarella, and parmesan is used for the gooiest, most incredible taste.
Veggies – Spinach and green onions add a boost of nutrients and vibrant color.
Milk – Whole milk works finest, but any milk you have on hand will do.
Eggs – Similar to French toast, eggs are used to create a crisp coating and lock in flavor.
Seasonings – Just a pinch of salt and pepper elevates the flavors of the rest of the ingredients for a super savory dish.

overhead image of spanakopita-inspired spinach grilled cheese topped with extra mozzarella in a white baking dish ready to be cooked

How to Make the Finest Spinach Grilled Cheese

Literally bursting with cheese, this recipe is so simple to make. Take a look at an overview of the instructions below. Then, scroll to the bottom for the full details on what you’ll need to do.

Combine the cream cheese, spinach, feta, mozzarella, green onion, salt, and pepper.
Slice your bread loaf into slices roughly ½ inch thick.
Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture on up to 8 slices.
Then, top each piece of bread with a slice of mozzarella cheese and a slice of bread to create a sandwich.
Add the sandwiches to a greased baking dish.
Whisk together the eggs and milk, and pour the mixture over the sandwiches.
Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours or overnight.
To bake, first let the ingredients sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven.
Bake your sandwiches for 20-25 minutes, fully covered. Then, remove the foil and continue to bake until the top of the bread has browned.
Serve right away!

Alternate Option

For a flakier alternative, use croissants! The method is almost exactly the same — see the notes section of the recipe card below for details.

Spanakopita-Inspired Spinach Grilled Cheese in a white oval baking dish

Serving Suggestions

Thanks to the use of veggies and the high-protein content of cheese, these sandwiches are super filling on their own. However, they also pair amazingly with all your go-to sides and appetizers for a full meal. Try serving them with:

Storage Options

This recipe is finest served fresh while still warm from the oven. However, if you want to make them ahead of time, you can store your grilled cheese sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.

Then, when you’re ready to eat, just warm them in the oven or a lightly buttered skillet over medium heat.

Common Questions About Spanakopita Grilled Cheese

What cheese is finest for spanakopita grilled cheese?

A combo of feta, parmesan, and mozzarella creates that reliable balance of salty tang and melty goodness! We also use cream cheese, too, for the most irresistible filling.

What bread works finest for spanakopita grilled cheese?

We love French bread, but sourdough can add memorable texture and holds up well to all the filling, too! The slightly tangy flavor of sourdough also complements the salty feta and garlicky spinach beautifully. But for a more delicate version of this sandwich, we also love croissants!

Why is my spanakopita grilled cheese soggy?

Not draining the spinach well enough is usually the culprit! Make sure to really squeeze out that moisture.

Can you make spanakopita grilled cheese ahead of time?

Yes! Actually, we recommend it for the finest flavor and texture.

close up image of a sliced spanakopita-inspired spinach grilled cheese

More Sandwich Recipes You Need In Your Life

Searching for more savory and satisfying sandwiches? Here are a few more of our favorites that are super simple and full of flavor!

A simple sheet pan meal, this Roasted Garlic and Broccoli Oven Grilled Cheese is reliable for feeding a crowd.
Transform boring sandwiches into a Mexican-inspired delicacy with this Simple Chicken Fajita Sandwich Recipe!
Even better than your go-to cafe’s version, this Turkey Caprese Sandwich is stuffed full of fresh veggies, flavorful herbs, and protein for a kid-friendly lunch or dinner you’ll love.
The standout comfort food, this Spinach and Artichoke Baked Grilled Cheese takes the childhood classic to the next level with an irresistible filling.

Spanakopita-Inspired Spinach Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 4 servings

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins

Spanakopita-Inspired Spinach Grilled Cheese has all the flavor of our mom’s Spanakopita recipe with the ease of a thick, savory grilled cheese. Prepare a big batch, and serve them on their own or with your go-to sides for a hearty meal that both kids and adults will adore! Email

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
16 ounces frozen spinach thawed and drained well
1/4 cup feta crumbles
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon kosher salt more or less to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper more or less to taste
1 loaf Country French bread or bread of choice (see the Notes section below for using croissants)
6 slices low-moisture mozzarella cheese slices
1 cup whole milk or milk of choice
3 large eggs
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, spinach (be sure to drain really well), feta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, green onions, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.8 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup feta crumbles, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 16 ounces frozen spinach, 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Slice bread into 1/2 inch slices. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese/spinach mixture on 6-8 slices. Top each piece of bread with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Top with a piece of bread to make a sandwich. Place sandwiches in a buttered 13×9 baking dish.1 loaf Country French bread, 6 slices low-moisture mozzarella cheese slices
In a measuring cup, whisk the milk and eggs until combined. Pour the egg mixture over the sandwiches. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top of the sandwiches. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.1 cup whole milk or milk of choice, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Once ready to bake, let the baking dish sit out for 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Bake covered for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the top is browned.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Equipment

Three black stainless steel mixing bowls.

1 Large Mixing Bowl 9" x 13" White Ruffled Ceramic Baking Dish.

1 13×9 Baking Dish1 Large Measuring Cup

Notes

Spanakopita-Inspired Spinach Grilled Cheese With Croissants Instead of using a hearty French Bread, you can make this more delicate option! Use all of the same ingredients but skip the Parmesan and egg/milk mixture on top, and swap the French Bread for 6 large croissants (or 12 mini). Here’s how to make them:

Oven Method

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Slice the croissants in half without cutting completely through. Spread a generous amount of the spinach and cheese mixture inside each croissant. Add a slice of mozzarella if you want them extra cheesy. Place the stuffed croissants on a baking sheet and bake for about 8–12 minutes, or until the croissants are crisp and the filling is hot and melty.

Stovetop Method

Slice and fill the croissants with the spinach mixture. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Add the croissants and gently press them down with a spatula. Cook for a few minutes on each side until the outside is golden and crisp and the filling is warmed through. Serve immediately while they’re warm, crackly, and extra cheesy!