Spanakopita Loaded Mashed Potatoes (Small Batch)

This Spanakopita loaded mashed potatoes recipe is the perfect creamy potato side dish bursting with Greek spinach pie-inspired flavor. In this healthier mashed potato recipe, sauteed spinach, garlic, and red onion combined with feta and plain Greek yogurt create tasty mashed potatoes like you have never had before.

AND you can even sneak some extra veggies onto your family’s plate. Win-win.

What Is Spanakopita?

Spanakopita is a traditional Greek spinach pie consisting of glorious layers of spinach and feta. It is a healthier dish that is packed with FLAVOR and divine layers of phyllo dough

How is this Recipe Different From the Original Greek Dish?

This recipe for Spanakopita loaded mashed potatoes is inspired by the lovely Greek classic Spanakopita. However, with respect of the OG Spanakopita dish, I wanted to quickly address the changes that make this recipe deviate from the traditional Greek dish.

No Phyllo

This difference is a bit more obvious. Traditionally, Spanakopita is wrapped in phyllo, but in these mashed potatoes, we are using potatoes as the base instead.

The Aluminum

Most spanakopita recipes also call for some sort of Allumium: like leeks, yellow onion, or green onions. I love adding a little bit of garlic and red onion to this recipe. The garlic and red onion, while both are not super traditional in Spanakopita, taste DELICIOUS in these mashed potatoes. Red onion also adds a beautiful pop of color. If however, you would like to make your potatoes more “original” to Spanakopita, swap the red onion for 6 chopped green onions.

The Dill

Some spanakopita recipes season their filling with dill. I don’t mind the dill in these potatoes, but I left it out of mine. But if you desire that additional dill flavor, I added instructions on how to add it in the recipe below.

Are Spanakopita Loaded Mashed Potatoes Healthy?

“Healthy” differs from person to person but in general these spanakopita-loaded mashed potatoes make some healthier swaps compared to traditional loaded masked potatoes. Instead of using sour cream, this recipe opts to use tangy plain Greek yogurt. Plain Greek yogurt, in my opinion, has a much better flavor profile than sour cream. And in a recipe like this, you will hardly notice that the healthy swap has occurred.

This recipe is also packed with sauteed spinach and red onions. Both vegetables are very good for you, as vegetables often are, and thus the loaded mashed potatoes recipe is a great way to get some more veggies in. And there is even some research that suggests that spinach is actually better for you when it is cooked.

If you are looking to make this recipe low-carb, substitute the potatoes for a head of cauliflower! If you make this swap, then make sure to adjust the amount of Greek yogurt as needed in the recipe.

How to Make Spanakopita Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Ready to make the BEST Spanakopita loaded mashed potatoes?!

Let’s get started!

• Place a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Meanwhile, peel your potatoes and cut them into cubes. Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender about 30 minutes. Drain your potatoes and set them aside in a large bowl.
• While the potatoes are boiling, heat a skillet on the stovetop to medium heat. Add in the olive oil and chopped red onions, and saute until the red onions are translucent (about 3 minutes) and in the garlic spinach, and salt. And saute until the slightly spinach cooks down significantly. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Add the butter and the Greek yogurt to the potatoes. Using a potato masher or electric hand mixer, mash the potatoes until your desired consistency (if the potatoes are too thick add tbsp of Greek yogurt and mix or a splash of milk). Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, until they make you smile.
• Then, add the sauteed spinach mixture and feta to your mashed potatoes, and mix until they are incorporated, being careful not to overmix (as you will have green potatoes from the spinach).
• Enjoy!

The Ingredients

• Yellow Potatoes:
  • Yellow potatoes are SO good turned into mashed potatoes. They are creamy and smooth and are one of my favorite potatoes. Russet potatoes will also work well.
• Feta:
  • Can you have Spanakopita loaded mashed potatoes without feta? NO. Feta is the absolute perfect salty, crumbly, traditionally Greek cheese to go into your Greek-inspired loaded mashed potatoes.
• Spinach:
  • Spanakopita is a spinach pie. So we definitely need HEAPS of spinach in this recipe! If desired, I suggest slightly chopping your spinach before sauteeing it.
• Garlic:
  • While garlic isn’t typically in most spanakopita recipes, I think it’s important to add to this mashed potato recipe. Garlic always lifts mashed potatoes. The same goes for these potatoes. Add a bit in, you won’t regret it! 🙂
• Red Onion:
  • We LOVE red onion at Fancy Frugal Fixes. As I mentioned elsewhere, the red is a little less traditional, since typically, we would use green onion or leeks in Spanakopita. But, I love the look and taste of red onion.
• Plain Greek Yogurt:
  • Greek yogurt just makes sense in a Greek-inspired dish! It also is a great healthier swap for sour cream in mashed potatoes. Not only does plain full-fat Greek yogurt have less fat and calories than sour cream, it also has much more protein. It’s a great swap! If you don’t have any one hand you can also swap it with sour cream with a 1:1 ratio.

Can I Use Frozen Spinach instead of fresh Spinach?

Yes, that’s no problem! You can definitely swap out fresh spinach for frozen spinach. 🙂

What to Serve with Spanakopita Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Spanakopita-loaded mashed potatoes are a great side dish alongside a plethora of main dishes. I stand by serving these Greek-inspired mashed potatoes alongside of my Greek lemon chicken drumsticks.

IT’S SO GOOD!

But any meat will pair with these potatoes like a fabulous roast chicken, chicken thighs, lamb chops, or some simple grilled skirt steak. My main piece of advice: keep your protein simple and let your mashed potatoes shine. Because mashed potatoes are always good, but loaded mashed potatoes are BETTER!

More Flavorful Side Dish Recipes

Need a side dish for dinner or your next gathering? We’ve got you covered. Check out some more of our FAVORITE & nutritious side dishes like the ones below:

• Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad Copycat Recipe
• Healthy Homemade Maple Applesauce (with “Imperfect” Apples)

Spanakopita Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 large yellow potatoes about 3 to 4 medium potatoes, peeled
• 1/2 cup red onion
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 3 cups of spinach
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup feta
• 1/4 tsp dried dill optional
• splash of milk if desired

Instructions

• Place a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Meanwhile, peel your potatoes and cut them into cubes. Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender about 30 minutes. Drain your potatoes and set them aside in a large bowl.
• While the potatoes are boiling, heat a skillet on the stovetop to medium heat. Add in the olive oil and chopped red onions, and saute until the red onions are translucent (about 3 minutes) and in the garlic spinach, and salt. And saute until the slightly spinach cooks down significantly. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Add the butter and the Greek yogurt to the potatoes. Using a potato masher or electric hand mixer, mash the potatoes until your desired consistency (if the potatoes are too thick add tbsp of Greek yogurt and mix or a splash of milk). Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, until they make you smile.
• Then, add the sauteed spinach mixture and feta to your mashed potatoes, and mix until they are incorporated, being careful not to overmix (as you will have green potatoes from the spinach).
• Enjoy!

Servings: 4 servings