A quick and impressive afternoon snack, these Weight Watchers Friendly Spinach and Cheese Puff Pastry Hand Pies are sure to satisfy your cravings. It’s the perfect cheater’s way to enjoy the essence of spanakopita in half the time and with half the calories! In just 30 minutes or less, you’ll have a warm cheesy pastry in your hands! By using low-fat cheese and reduced-fat puff pastry, you get a savory treat without compromising your wellness goals. And at only 4 points per pie you could make these every week! The addition of lemon zest and red pepper flakes add a flavorful twist to the traditional expectations of a spinach and cheese pie. With a perfect blend of wholesome ingredients and savory flavors, these hand pies are sure to become a favorite in your household. With this delicious and easy recipe, you can indulge with confidence!
Why You Should Try This Recipe:
- Indulge without guilt: At only 4 points per pie, you can enjoy these hand pies without worrying about derailing your progress.
- Wholesome ingredients: Packed with nutritious spinach and protein-rich cheeses, these hand pies offer a satisfying and balanced meal option.
- Easy and versatile: Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a tasty snack for gatherings, these hand pies are simple to make and customizable to suit your preferences.
Recipe Overview:
- Serving Size: Makes 6 hand pies
- Number of Servings: 6
- Time to Cook: Approximately 30 minutes
- WW Points Per Recipe: 4 points (Here’s the link to the recipe on the WW app if you have a log-in)
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 2 blocks of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- the zest of one lemon
- a squeeze of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- a pinch of red pepper flakes – optional
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On medium heat, sauté your chopped onion in a bit of olive oil spray until slightly browned. Turn off the heat and let it cool while you mix together the rest of the filling.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, cooled sautéed onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 6 equal squares.
- Spoon the spinach and cheese mixture onto one half of each pastry square, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Fold the pastry over the filling to create a small square shape and crimp the edges with a fork firmly to seal.
- Place the hand pies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Experiment with Cheese: Substitute feta or ricotta cheese for a more Mediterranean flavor profile.
- Make It A Meal: Add diced cooked chicken or turkey for extra protein.
- Lower Your Points: To reduce WW points further, consider using a lower-fat pastry dough or reducing the amount of cheese used.
- For a Splurge Version: Sprinkle some extra Parmesan cheese on top before baking for added flavor.
Tips and Tricks:
- Pastry Leakage: If your pastry isn’t sticking to itself, use a little egg wash to ensure that the pastry is tightly sealed, preventing any filling from leaking out during baking.
- Freeze For Later: These hand pies freeze well. Allow them to cool completely before wrapping each one in plastic wrap and storing in an airtight bag or container.
- Make Mini Versions: Cut the pastry dough into twelves even rectangles, fill each square with half of the original amount of filling and fold in half to make a triangle! Bake as directed, keeping an eye on them as they might cook quicker.
Related Recipes:
- https://drizzlemeskinny.com/28-perfect-puff-pastry-recipes/
- https://drizzlemeskinny.com/i-made-ina-gartens-famous-chicken-pot-pie-and-now-i-see-what-all-the-hype-is-about/
Spinach and Cheese Puff Pastry Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry , thawed
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 2 blocks frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup part skim mozzarella cheese , shredded
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, (optional)
- salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On medium heat, sauté your chopped onion in a bit of olive oil spray until slightly browned. Turn off the heat and let it cool while you mix together the rest of the filling.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, cooled sautéed onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 6 equal squares.
- Spoon the spinach and cheese mixture onto one half of each pastry square, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Fold the pastry over the filling to create a small square shape and crimp the edges with a fork firmly to seal.
- Place the hand pies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1pieCalories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 9gFat: 21.1gSaturated Fat: 6.4gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 319mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @drizzlemeskinny or tag #drizzlemeskinny!
