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Kreatopita Recipe

4.9 from 87 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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