Kreatopita Recipe

Introduction

Kreatopita is a traditional Greek meat pie that’s both hearty and flavorful. With a delicious ground beef and rice filling wrapped in crispy phyllo dough, it makes a perfect comforting meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp oregano
• 10 phyllo sheets
• 1/2 cup melted butter or olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a pan with a little oil, sauté the finely chopped onion until soft. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
2. Step 2: Stir in the uncooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of water, cover, and simmer gently for 10 minutes until the rice starts to soften.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish and layer 5 phyllo sheets inside, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter or olive oil.
4. Step 4: Spread the meat and rice mixture evenly over the layered phyllo sheets in the dish.
5. Step 5: Cover the filling with the remaining 5 phyllo sheets, brushing each sheet with butter or olive oil as before.
6. Step 6: Bake the kreatopita in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.
7. Step 7: Allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing and serving to let the filling set.

Tips & Variations

• Use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter, dairy-free version.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or mint to the filling for extra freshness.
• For a richer flavor, mix in some crumbled feta cheese with the meat mixture.

Storage

Store leftover kreatopita covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10–15 minutes to restore the crispiness of the phyllo.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked rice instead of uncooked rice?

It’s best to use uncooked rice so it cooks properly with the filling and absorbs the flavors. Pre-cooked rice may result in a softer, less cohesive filling.

Can I freeze kreatopita?

Yes, you can freeze kreatopita before baking. Wrap it tightly, freeze for up to 1 month, and bake from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed until golden and heated through.

Kreatopita Recipe

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Kreatopita is a traditional Greek meat pie made with ground beef, rice, and aromatic seasonings layered between crispy phyllo dough sheets. This savory dish combines a rich, flavorful filling with a golden, flaky phyllo crust, making it a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 65 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ground Beef Mixture

• 500g ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 splash of water (about 1/4 cup)

Phyllo Dough Layers

• 10 phyllo sheets
• 1/2 cup melted butter or olive oil

Instructions

1. Sauté onion: In a pan heated with a little oil, sauté the finely chopped onion until translucent and fragrant.
2. Cook ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook thoroughly until browned, breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon.
3. Add rice and seasonings: Stir in the uncooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of water and simmer gently for about 10 minutes until the rice starts absorbing the liquid and softens slightly.
4. Prepare phyllo layers: Lightly grease a baking dish. Lay down 5 phyllo sheets, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter or olive oil to ensure a crisp and golden crust.
5. Assemble filling: Evenly spread the meat and rice mixture over the layered phyllo sheets in the baking dish.
6. Top with phyllo: Place the remaining 5 phyllo sheets on top of the meat filling, brushing each sheet with butter or olive oil as before to promote flakiness and color.
7. Bake kreatopita: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the pie for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and crisp.
8. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the kreatopita cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm to enjoy the full flavors and perfect texture.

Notes

• You can substitute olive oil for melted butter to make the pie lighter and dairy-free.
• Make sure to brush each phyllo sheet generously to prevent dryness and ensure a crispy pastry.
• Leftover kreatopita keeps well refrigerated and reheats nicely in the oven.
• For added flavor, some recipes incorporate a bit of cinnamon or allspice into the meat mixture.

Keywords: kreatopita, Greek meat pie, phyllo pie, ground beef pie, savory pie, traditional Greek recipe