Description
Delicious Spinach Stuffed Pastry made with flaky puff pastry filled with a savory mixture of spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses. These golden-baked pastries are easy to prepare and perfect as an appetizer or light snack, offering a flavorful vegetarian option in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Filling
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Mix Filling Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the cooked spinach, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a uniform filling.
- Prepare Pastry Sheets: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface to smooth and slightly increase their size.
- Cut Pastry Squares: Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 equal squares, resulting in 8 squares total.
- Fill Pastries: Place a spoonful of the spinach and cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square.
- Seal Pastries: Fold each pastry square over the filling to form a rectangle or triangle shape. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal the pastries well.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the sealed pastries onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of each pastry with the beaten egg to achieve a golden, shiny finish after baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pastries are puffed up and golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the pastries to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Make sure the spinach is well cooked and cooled before mixing with the cheeses to avoid soggy pastry.
- Use chilled puff pastry for best puff and flakiness.
- The filling can be customized by adding herbs such as dill, basil, or nutmeg for extra flavor.
- These pastries are best served fresh but can be reheated in a toaster oven to maintain crispiness.
- For a vegan alternative, substitute ricotta and Parmesan with plant-based cheeses and use a flaxseed egg wash.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian