Family Mediterranean Herb and Cheese Spanakopita
A golden, flaky phyllo bake loaded with creamy low-fat cottage cheese, tangy feta, and fresh green herbs. Brushed with olive oil for a lighter, heart-healthy family pie.
Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
70 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Karen + Lila
Karen created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
A steadier afternoon
Give your day a solid food foundation
Being properly fed cannot solve a hard day, but a substantial meal can remove hunger and an energy dip from the list of things you are juggling.
Notice: mood + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
70 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Food processor · Mixing bowl
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a 9x13-inch (23x33cm) bakin…
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 10 steps complete
Next: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and…
- 01
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and…
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a 9x13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish with olive oil.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Combine the low-fat cottage cheese
In a large mixing bowl, combine the low-fat cottage cheese, crumbled feta cheese, egg whites, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, parsley, and mint. Mix well until cohesive and set aside.
Look for: cohesive and set aside
Tap card to mark done - 03
Unroll the phyllo dough sheets on a…
Unroll the phyllo dough sheets on a clean, dry cutting board and keep them covered with a damp towel so they do not dry out.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Lay one sheet of phyllo dough into…
Lay one sheet of phyllo dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, allowing the edges to overhang slightly, and lightly brush the surface with extra virgin olive oil.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Repeat the layering process with half of…
Repeat the layering process with half of the total phyllo sheets, lightly brushing olive oil between each layer.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Spread the prepared cheese and herb filling…
Spread the prepared cheese and herb filling evenly over the bottom phyllo crust using a spatula.
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Layer the remaining phyllo sheets over the…
Layer the remaining phyllo sheets over the filling, brushing olive oil lightly between each sheet as before.
Tap card to mark done - 08
Tuck the overhanging edges neatly into the…
Tuck the overhanging edges neatly into the sides of the dish, then use a sharp knife to gently score top layers into individual square portions.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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Bake for 35 to 40 minutes
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and crisp to the touch.
Look for: the top is deep golden brown and crisp to the touch
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Remove from the oven and let cool…
Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing all the way through to serve warm.
Allow: 10 minutes
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