I love ANY meal that I can make once and eat twice (or several times for that matter), especially meals that seem to get better the second time around, like this Spinach, Feta, & Brown Rice Pie.
This recipe is similar to a Summer Squash Frittata or a Potato Crusted Swiss Chard Quiche except, it’s heavier on the ‘fillings’ and lighter on the eggs.
I originally saw this recipe in Eating Well Magazine and immediately thought it would be a great ‘make-ahead-lunch-idea’.
It’s one of those recipes that works hot, cold, or at room temperature and can be eaten with a spoon, fork, or fingers (because we all know that as much as we try to avoid it, sometimes lunch has to be eaten on-the-go, in the car!).
If you think of the recipe as a blueprint you can make this dish 101 different ways simply by changing up the fillings. I’ve got quinoa, broccoli & cheddar on the brain right now but I bet a black bean, tomato, corn, and spicy jack cheese version would be great too!
Would love to hear if anyone gives this a try with some new flavor combinations… be sure to come back and let me know in the comments!
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 4 egg whites (1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup low fat milk or any milk you prefer
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped, (1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 10- ounce package of frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 cup Feta cheese crumbled in large pieces (not crumbs)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 425. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray or olive oil.
- In a medium bowl beat together eggs, eggwhites, milk, and salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over a medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for a few minutes or until they are translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir in garlic and spinach and cook for another couple of minutes.
- Transfer veggie mixture to a large bowl and stir in rice and Feta cheese and egg mixture. Pour the egg mixture over the veggies and then transfer everything into the pie pan. Smooth out the top using a spatula.
- Bake the pie for about 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for a few minutes before cutting up. Enjoy!
- Makes 6 servings.
Comments
Julie says
Dani,
This looks amazing! This is just another AWESOME idea of make-ahead-lunch.
And I’ve always wondered why the block version of feta tasted so much better than the pre-crumbled one!!
Thank you for the tips, as always 🙂
By the way, did you use long grain or short grain for the brown rice in your video?
Julie
Jaimie says
Dani, this looks delicious (and gluten free – yay!) but I can’t tolerate onions and garlic anymore. I can use garlic infused oil and the green tops from green onions and a little onion powder. Do you think that would be enough? Would there be any other kind of substitute not from the allicin family? Or should I just try as I mentioned above and see how it turns out? Thanks!
Dani says
I think your substitutions would be delicious and definitely enough! Would love to hear if you give it a try…
Gen says
Tried it yesterday night – delish!!! It’s a real good idea to drain the spinach before cooking. Very, very tasty, thank you!
Dani says
You are very welcome!!
Cristina says
How do I like your video…?? I don’t see the like button to click on. Love your videos – thank you so much for posting – this sounds deeelicious! Much healthier than rib-rolls as well 😉
Jennifer says
I just made this for dinner (with salad). Fantastic!! Even my 10-year-old son loved it (and he is tough to please)! I used fresh spinach instead of frozen – just happen to have it. This will definitely be added to the file.
Dani says
LOVE that!
Jackie says
This recipe sounds delicious- definitely going on my list of recipes to make! It does look like the recipe write-up is missing the end of the recipe though… just wanted to let you know!
Lulu says
How long do you cook for? The recipe says to put it all in the pan, smooth out…then I assumed that pan goes in oven, but I don’t see the time on there?
Lulu says
Oh, I watched the video after and it says in there 25 minutes…maybe you can add that to the recipe for those who print it for their recipe box!
thanks
Leticia says
This recipe looks delicious and I love your website after randomly coming across on of your videos on YouTube for Eggplant Parmesan. I have a question, my pie is cooking for 35 minutes because my oven doesn’t heat properly so does that mean I’m doomed with your recipe? I find areas on the pie still runny. Help?
Missy says
Love your site and the whole family likes to watch your fun videos and it helps them want to try new foods so thank you! With this recipe what could replace the egg? THANKS:)
Samantha says
This looks great just had to go gluten free so I’m searching for recipes. If I use fresh spinach how much should I use?
Cierra says
This looks delicious! I was wondering if I could use all egg whites and no eggs, and replace the milk with almond milk without losing too much taste?
LaskeyCollective says
Am I correct in thinking the “written” recipe does not have adding the rice to the mixture in the directions?
Dani says
Ooops! yes – you are. I just fixed it!
E says
I brought this to a potluck (they can always use some veggies and whole grains) and it was a huge hit!
Alexandra says
I stumbled on your page and i am so glad i did !! This sounds absolutely delicious. We make this here in CYPRUS. Its called spanakorizo which translates to Spinach rice but they do it with lots of fattening pastry.
Alice says
Love the versatility of this dish!! I sautéed 2 grated broccoli stems with the onion (I was actually saving them to make your broccoli stem soup, but figured they would help bump up the nutrition in this), used bunch of fresh kale instead of spinach, goats cheese instead of feta, quinoa instead of rice, added a quarter cup of fresh parsley and ‘decorated’ the top with a few halved cherry tomatoes. So delicious, thanks Dani!
Edith says
I just found your website and made the Feta, Spinach and Brown Rice pie.
It was easy and fast to make and it was absolutely delicious. It looked beautiful as well. I am going to try more of your recipes. Thank you so much! Edith
Dani says
You are very welcome! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Diane says
I just made this for brunch and it is delicious!! Fantastic recipe! It’s filling too. Thank you.
Dani says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Diane says
I have to add this comment: I feel like an idiot but the hardest part of this recipe was cutting the pie in six pieces. LOL
Rebekka says
Hello. I was so surprised to find this recipe here, because my mother made this in my childhood, and I now make it. I am really loving this site, because you are teaching me little things that I didnt catch up on from my own mother (who is an excellent healthy cook, but likes to do everything herself like her own mother, so I didnt learn much from either of them). Thank you so much for all the tips and tricks of the trade.
Dani says
You re very welcome! So glad I can help:)
Meline says
Delicious! I used fetta and hallumi cheese. And, I combined spinach with broccoli since I didn’t have enough spinach. And, I took your advice and used quinoa. This will be a meal I can prepare so quickly in the future. Thank you!
Susan says
It was great! We don’t like onions so I substituted mushrooms. I didn’t have feta so I used cheddar.
Dani says
sounds delish!
Darla Layfield says
Soooo good!!! I am a mother of six and have decided to live healthier and longer. I don’t want diabetes, heart disease, joint pain and all the other nastiness that comes along with being as overweight as I am. I want to see my children grow up and play with my grandchildren and even great-grandchildren!
With all that being said, boy am I glad I found you!!! I love your videos and even though I am a pretty terrible cook most times, I find your instructions easy to follow.
For this recipe I used golden quinoa (think next time tri-colored quinoa for a nuttier taste), 24-oz chopped spinach (cause I love the taste), four whole eggs, and goat cheese instead of feta. DEEEEEELICIOUS!
Thank you, Dani…you’re the best!
Dani says
Your substitutions sound delicious! Thats what I love about recipes like this, they are so flexible! I’m so glad we found each other:)
Alina Havas says
Can we replace the rise with smashed potato, or do you have other idea? I’m not a big fan of rise…
Dani says
I’m not sure about the smashed potato but I would imagine any type of grain would work in place of the rice. So maybe quinoa, farro, barley, wheat berries, etc…
Melody says
Has anyone tried freezing the leftovers?
Dani says
I haven’t myself, but it should be fine.
Melody Rawles says
I made this last night. It was delicious, absolutely delicious!
Dani says
So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Megan says
This is one of my favorite recipes ever. Do you think it would freeze well after baking?
Dani says
Yes! I think it would freeze well.
Anastasija says
Can almond or coconut milk be used instead of the normal milk ?
Dani says
Yes!
Fernanda says
OMG. The best pie ever. Super easy and healthy. Very yummy and filling.
My bf loved it
Dani says
So glad to hear that!
Linda says
Trying to do more meatless meals so made this for dinner tonight and it is really good!! Love your website. 🙂
Dani Spies says
Yay, so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and letting me know!