Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese

$3.40 recipe / $1.70 serving
by Beth - Budget Bytes
5 from 39 votes
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Because I add spinach to everything. I keep frozen spinach on hand so I can toss a handful into whatever I’m cooking and spinach felt like such a natural addition to my usual grilled cheese. I also added a little feta cheese for a tangy punch, a few spicy flakes of red pepper, and toasted it up on some good bread. The result was something truly spectacular. This Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese only takes a few minutes more than regular grilled cheese, and it’s SO worth the extra effort. No joke, you’ll pay about $8 for something like this at your local cafe, but not at home!

A stack of spinach and feta grilled cheese sandwich halves

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Is This a Melt or a Grilled Cheese?

Okay, so technically this type of sandwich is called a “melt.” A melt is a grilled cheese that has other ingredients added, like vegetables or meat, whereas a grilled cheese is a cheese-only grilled sandwich. While the difference between a melt and a grilled cheese often sparks heated debates, I want people to be able to find this recipe on the internet and the data shows that people are searching for “spinach and feta grilled cheese,” not “spinach and feta melt”. The English language is fluid, and the use of the term “melt” is declining. So here we are! 

What Kind of Bread is Best for Grilled Cheese

I originally used ciabatta bread for this recipe, but it wasn’t available this time around so I chose a nice sourdough bread instead. Homemade focaccia would also be nice. Because the ingredients in this recipe are a little more hearty than your everyday grilled cheese sandwich, I would suggest using any sturdy bread that can hold up to the filling ingredients. Skip the soft white bread for this one. ;)

What Kind of Spinach to Use

I used frozen spinach for this recipe because it’s easy to keep on hand without worrying about it spoiling, but you could absolutely use fresh spinach if you have it. Just sauté it down until most of the moisture is gone, just as I did below with the frozen spinach.

As far as frozen spinach goes, you’ll want to buy the kind that comes loose in a bag rather than the type that is frozen into a block. That will allow you to thaw just enough for this recipe while leaving the rest in the freezer for your next cooking adventure.

What to Serve with Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese

As with any grilled cheese sandwich, this spinach and feta version goes great with a cup of tomato soup. But you could also serve it with a little dish of pasta sauce or pizza sauce for dipping!

What Else Can I Add?

Oh, there are so many delicious possibilities for add-ins here: olives, artichokes, red onion, parmesan cheese… I’d not be against putting an egg on there, too. ;)

Overhead view of spinach and feta grilled cheese on a cutting board with a bowl of sauce
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Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese

5 from 39 votes
Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with this gourmet Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese! An easy and flavorful lunch idea.
A stack of spinach and feta grilled cheese sandwiches
Servings 2 1 sandwich each
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.08)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced ($0.08)
  • 1/4 lb. frozen chopped spinach ($0.42)
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper ($0.05)
  • 4 slices bread ($1.00)
  • 2 Tbsp butter ($0.20)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella ($1.15)
  • 1 oz. feta ($0.62)
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper ($0.02)
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Instructions 

  • Add the olive oil and minced garlic to a skillet. Sauté over medium heat for about one minute, then add the frozen spinach (no need to thaw), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Continue to sauté over medium until most of the moisture has evaporated from the skillet.
  • Spread butter over one side of each of the slices of bread. Flip the bread over so the buttered side is facing down as you build the sandwiches.
  • Divide half of the shredded mozzarella between two slices of bread. Top the mozzarella with the crumbled feta.
  • Divide the cooked spinach between the two sandwiches, then top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Top each sandwich with the second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-low. Once hot, add the sandwiches and cook on each side until golden brown and crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside.
  • Cut the sandwiches in half and serve!

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Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 507kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 23gFat: 33gSodium: 962mgFiber: 4g
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Half of a spinach and feta grilled cheese dipping into pizza sauce

How to Make Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese – Step by Step Photos

cooked spinach in a skillet

Add a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and one minced clove of garlic to a small skillet. Cook the garlic for about a minute, then add ¼ lb. frozen spinach (you can just estimate ¼ of a one pound bag, or ⅓ of a 12oz. bag). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and continue to sauté over medium until most of the moisture has evaporated.

four slices of buttered bread

Spread about ½ Tbsp butter over one side of each slice of bread (four slices).

shredded mozzarella added to the bread

Flip the bread over so the unbuttered sides are facing up. Add about ¼ cup shredded mozzarella to two of the slices. Top each with a little crumbled feta.

cooked spinach added to the sandwiches

Add the cooked spinach on top of the mozzarella and feta.

more mozzarella added to the sandwiches

Add another ¼ cup shredded mozzarella to each along with a pinch of crushedred pepper. Top with the second piece of bread, butter side facing out.

Cooked sandwiches in the skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium-low. Once hot, add the sandwiches. Cook for about five minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and melty and hot on the inside.

sliced sandwiches on a cutting board

Slice the sandwiches in half and serve!

A stack of spinach and feta grilled cheese sandwiches

Ooohhhh yesssssss.

Love Cheesy Melts? Try These Other Recipes:

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Comments

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  1. I made these for dinner tonight and OH MY GOD. Seriously so good. I ended up using my mini griddle which is basically a small panini press. Worked like a charm!

  2. I made these last night and added sun dried tomatoes…so yummy, but one side of the bread got burnt and turned black…did I leave it on the stove too long? I used your focaccia recipe for the bread. Also, love the new book!!

    1. Yes, you may have left it too long or just had the heat slightly too high. Grilled cheeses are one of those things that you just have to get a feel for. :) It will be different depending on the thickness of your skillet, too.

  3. These were delicious! All eight of us loved them–thanks for a great idea!

  4. I just made these with cheddar instead of mozzarella and used small pitas because that’s what I had.
    My press was an iron skillet which made them pretty flat and messy, but they were SO yummy.
    Thanks, Beth!

  5. Lovely easy recipe, thank-you. The world becomes a better place when you add bacon, and the same is true for this. Crispy diced bacon gave it some texture, taste and saltiness.

    Great site Beth.

  6. This has become my new favorite grilled cheese. I have to substitute swiss for the feta and mozzarella, but it still tastes fantastic. Trying to make a no sodium version of your focaccia rolls so I can have these be low sodium to have with tomato soup.

  7. I made this for my roommates the other night. Besides adding a bit more garlic I followed the recipe exactly and LOVED IT! Despite the humble amount of ingredients they all synergize well making a delicious dish with strong flavor.

  8. Tried this recipe today very yummy! I used French bread instead of the chibatta.

  9. This was DELICIOUS. I would highly recommend this to anyone. Easy, fast, affordable! YUM.

  10. These were great, thanks! Added some lightly sauteed red onions and shrooms.

  11. Made them last night and they were great. They remind me of the spinach rolls they sell at the local pizzeria.

  12. I love this- especially the panini press hack. And of course, working on my night cheese. Thanks for sharing!

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