Ina Garten Spinach Puff Pastry: Flaky Cheesy Perfection Recipe

Introduction

Ina Garten’s Spinach Puff Pastry is a flaky, cheesy delight that makes a perfect appetizer or light meal. With a savory filling of spinach, ricotta, and feta wrapped in buttery puff pastry, it’s sure to impress your guests or family with minimal effort.

Two golden-brown puff pastries sit on a white rectangular plate placed on a white marbled surface. The pastries have a shiny, flaky crust with distinct layers and slight folds on top. The closest pastry is cut open to show three layers: a thin, crisp outer shell, a thick filling of dark green spinach mixed with creamy white cheese, and a similar thin, flaky crust at the bottom. Small pieces of green garnish are sprinkled on top of the pastries and the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 package frozen puff pastry (fully thawed before using)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing onions)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 10 oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (can substitute with cream cheese)
  • 4 oz feta cheese (or goat cheese if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1 large egg (for filling and egg wash)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (use sparingly)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled onion and garlic mixture with thawed and drained spinach, ricotta, feta, Parmesan, one egg, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
  4. Step 4: Roll out the puff pastry into a 10×10 inch square. Cut it into 4 or 6 smaller squares, depending on the size you prefer.
  5. Step 5: Place a generous scoop of the spinach and cheese filling onto the center of each pastry square. Fold the pastry over to form triangles or rectangles and press the edges with a fork to seal.
  6. Step 6: Whisk together the remaining egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush this over the tops of the pastries to give them a golden finish.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until the pastries are puffed and golden brown. Let them cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For a richer texture, substitute ricotta with cream cheese or add a little shredded mozzarella.
  • If fresh nutmeg isn’t available, a small pinch of ground allspice can add an interesting twist.
  • Use goat cheese instead of feta for a tangier flavor profile.
  • Make sure to thoroughly drain the spinach to prevent soggy pastry.

Storage

Store leftover spinach puff pastries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the pastry flaky.

How to Serve

The image shows three rectangular pieces of golden-brown puff pastry filled with a green spinach and white cheese mixture. Each pastry has multiple visible flaky layers on the outside with a shiny, crisp surface and slight browning on top. The spinach and cheese filling is dense and creamy, shown in the cut pastry at the front. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled on top and around the white plate with rounded edges, which sits on a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh spinach. Sauté it until wilted, then squeeze out as much moisture as possible before adding to the filling to prevent sogginess.

Can these puff pastries be made ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble the pastries and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just brush with egg wash before baking for a golden crust.

Print
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Ina Garten Spinach Puff Pastry: Flaky Cheesy Perfection Recipe


  • Author: anna
  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Ina Garten’s Spinach Puff Pastry combines flaky, buttery puff pastry with a rich, cheesy spinach filling for an elegant and delicious appetizer or snack. The filling includes ricotta, feta, Parmesan, sautéed onions, garlic, and a hint of nutmeg, all baked to golden perfection for a savory treat that’s perfect for entertaining or a satisfying vegetarian bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry and Egg Wash

  • 1 package Frozen Puff Pastry (Fully thawed before using)
  • 1 large Egg (Mixed with 1 tbsp water for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp Water (For egg wash)

Filling

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil (For sautéing onions)
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion (Finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
  • 10 oz Frozen Chopped Spinach (Thawed and drained)
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese (Can substitute with cream cheese)
  • 4 oz Feta Cheese (Or goat cheese if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Freshly grated)
  • 1 large Egg (For filling)
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg (Use sparingly)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the pastries.
  2. Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
  3. Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooled onion and garlic mixture with the thawed and well-drained spinach, ricotta cheese, feta cheese, freshly grated Parmesan, one large egg, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  4. Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll the fully thawed puff pastry into a 10×10 inch square on a lightly floured surface. Cut the square into 4 or 6 equal smaller squares, depending on the desired size of your pastries.
  5. Fill and Shape Pastries: Place a generous scoop of the spinach and cheese filling onto the center of each pastry square. Fold each square in half to form triangles or rectangles, then firmly seal the edges by pressing with a fork to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
  6. Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together one large egg with one tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this egg wash evenly over the tops of each filled pastry to give them a golden, shiny finish when baked.
  7. Bake: Transfer the filled pastries to the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until the pastries are puffed up and golden brown.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove the pastries from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Be sure to completely thaw and drain the frozen spinach to avoid soggy pastry.
  • You can substitute ricotta with cream cheese for a richer texture.
  • Use fresh grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
  • Egg wash is essential for a shiny and beautifully browned exterior.
  • Serve warm as an appetizer or light meal.
  • Variations: Add chopped fresh herbs like dill or parsley for extra flavor.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Spinach puff pastry, Ina Garten recipe, cheesy spinach pastry, appetizer, savory puff pastry, vegetarian appetizer

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